How is life in Switzerland as a black?

Does racism exist in Switzerland? I have made this video to create awareness on this issue that most people are ignorant of when coming abroad. If you want to work a bit on your French, feel free to watch the documentary on racism in Switzerland from one of the renowned stations (link below). It includes the story of Kouamé that I have narrated in my video.
• Être noir.e en Suisse ...

[@behab978]

Hi Switzerland has never had any colonies. I remember seeing the first black person of my life as a child in the seventies, my mother telling me off because I was staring at him. The first colored people arriving here in larger numbers were the tamils from Sri Lanka in the 80s. It was quite a thing. Thanks to their diligence and willingnes to accept all sorts of jobs they were widely accepted. Switzerland is a very open country with the fastest growing population in Europe, witch puts a lot of stress on the infrastructure, housingmarket, etc. We simply cannot accommodate the whole world here, and due to the agreements with the neighbouring EU, EUcityzens have priority. As for professionnel degrees, these are an absolute must for any kind of job, even for the Swiss themselves. Remember, the countrys welfare is based on its highly educated and skilled workforce. It has nothing to do with racism. Language is crucial, we have to adapt ourselves to the different languages in our own country we expect that foreigners do the same thing. I'm sorry if you experience real racism, but many things are just because you come from a completely different system and have to integrate in the new system, which takes time and effort. Wish you all the best!

[@maureensunshine3185]

Thanks for taking time to give more incite on this matter. As you have said, language and skills are very important factors when anyone moves to a new country. The discrimination I am talking about here is based on meeting all the requirements and still not being considered good enough. This has even been brought up by the UN. Recruitment agencies have been put on the spotlight for coding coloured people not to be recruited for work positions that they are qualified for (BBA-Black,Brown,Arab). Thanks for the wishes and I know you are speaking from a good place. You might just not realise what happens on the other end.

[@mitchaid77]

Very interesting to hear about your experience and your views. Very insightful for me who is not affected by the points you raised. Thank you

[@roesi1985]

I like your attitude. I still think it's so sad that you experience hurtful situations and racism in Switzerland. But you're definitely right in that it's better for your mental health to focus on what you can do and on being a better person yourself. I just want to say that the criticism on the system might not be quite correct. I don't think the system is made to hinder PoC to thrive. It's just very rigid and less flexible and less people-oriented than what people from other countries might be used to. Rules are very important in Switzerland, and there are a lot of rules regarding education and which degree is needed for which job. Still, that's how they ensure the high quality work they're renown for worldwide. I wouldn't recommend people to "trick the system", but rather try to understand what they want from you and why. Most rules in Switzerland do make sense, and following them is usually the best way to go.

[@maureensunshine3185]

@roesi1985, thank you very much for your kind words and for your input on this matter. Concerning my comment on the system, I am attaching a link that is from the RTS. Kindly watch and if you do not have much time, just watch the lawyer’s interview only. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGXHhKCGn56jhZYsi=xNoJ9ppCQEAEbR49 As for my comment on “playing the system”, I stand corrected. You have put it just the way I should have. Thank you.

[@anthonycnei8574]

Thank you Maureen for great information you are sharing. I am asking if you can share some of the sponsorship opportunities.

[@maureensunshine3185]

Hello Anthony, thank you. Will work on this

[@natchkiwi3945]

Hellow Maureen, thank you for the information. Im 45years old and i worked in airline industry in UAE. Can I come on a tourist visa and get work as unskilled labour. For me I'm okay to work as a cleaner, in the farm or factory...

[@maureensunshine3185]

@@natchkiwi3945 Hello, getting a job with a tourist visa is illegal. I would not recommend this. You'd rather check some of the airlines you would like to work for and apply, you don't lose anything by doing this.

[@tiagomesquita6980]

Regarding the Jobs, it is not really racism... Switzerland, like all the rest of the countries in Europe have their own set of rules regarding education, and a college degree from another country need to be validated in their countries, this is just standard. Although "poor" countries will just accept 1st World degrees no question asked, it does not mean Switzerland will do the same. I was born in Brazil, moved to Portugal 5 years ago, and every degree that I have is useless here, the validation is expensive and very slow (Portugal has a horrible bureaucracy system), and when I started living here, I had to accept "low" income jobs. It is just the way things work, nothing to do with racism. You are either lucky to be born in a country like this, or struggle to move to one. By the way, like you said, there is racism everywhere, and here in Portugal is not different, with Black people, Asian, and south Americans suffer a little bit with racism or xenophobia, people are shitty everywhere.

[@maureensunshine3185]

Great input. Love the fact that you are working your way up and embracing the process. Sure, there is no problem starting with low skilled jobs to get your self where you want to be. The problem is doing all that is required of you and still being side lined in the job market. This is something that happens a lot in Europe and there is a report on it with some very well known recruitment agencies being guilty of the practice. We should however not focus on this as there are some really great employers out here. Not everyone is bad.

[@tiagomesquita6980]

@@maureensunshine3185 Totally agree. I am not denying that there is racism, xenophobia, or exclusion from some companies and the culture of a country as a whole, but there is the opposite as well. Here in Portugal, I found lots of people that embrace immigrants, and are nice overall. I am sure I will find the same in Switzerland when I move.

[@patusony]

Am facing this already in my cite mum but am adapting already if you smile i smile too if you greet i greet too i don't care all is that am focused on what i came hear to look for even i get the cleaning job i will do if so far i get money from there.thank for the video pls mum don't forget to program us to me thanks.

[@maureensunshine3185]

That’s the spirit. Do write me an email with your contacts then we can organise a meeting.

[@hassanlawal5579]

God bless the United States of America. I've been in the States for over 21 years now...... and I've never not been at home here. My wife is American......my in-laws are the best anybody can ever ask for. My neighbors are awesome. I really do think (though) that Switzerland is Heaven on earth, beautiful Country.....but America got every other country beaten by their HOSPITALITY. Americans will work with you, they will tolerate you..... just as long as you are law abiding.

[@maureensunshine3185]

Great! Really nice to read this.

[@benanceisaack9199]

USA is a country known to the world for racism, cops killing black, Violence, shootings, I mean America is an ecample of a failing society.

[@kwatsedianah1292]

Good for you Hassan

[@antidumbcomments]

American racism is all over the internet, but America may be the safest place for black people outside Africa and the Caribbean.

[@maureensunshine3185]

Thanks for your insight. Glad that is the case

[@JS-ti8ny]

“ American racism is all over the internet” Yes I’ve watched those videos where 7 blacks beat and kick 2 elderly gay men. I’ve seen hundreds of videos of black GANGS racially attacking white women and men. *YES! ANTI-WHITE RACISM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET*

[@Charles_frDesjardins]

If a white guy went to live in africa he would also experience racism. I grew up in South Africa for 18 years so I would know

[@maureensunshine3185]

Hi Charles, and no one is doubting you. The aim of this video is to create awareness especially to those leaving their countries for the first time like I did. Nothing against whites or blacks. Thank you.

[@SupermomUniversity]

This is the second video I've watched on this. This is so sad. This is really bad. America isn't half as bad as this. NOT AT ALL. SWITZERLAND needs to be uncovered for their racism.

[@maureensunshine3185]

Really! If America isn't half as bad then I guess I can live anywhere.😃

[@juliajanser5063]

Wenn du in der Schweiz lebst . Lerne eine der Sprachen. Rassismus gibt es in Afrika auch gegen Weisse... Rassismus ist immer unverzeihlich überall auf der Welt

[@maureensunshine3185]

Thank you for your comment. Racism is unacceptable anywhere. Concerning the language, I am at a level C1 in French, soon sitting for my C2 exam. The Red Cross only requires a B2 level in one of the Swiss languages. This still will not change the fact that French is not my 1st language, what you will see in many job adverts. Most foreigners do their best when they come abroad.