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Just as its counterparts religion and sexuality and even sex (as in male and female) have been hot button topics for many a decade, this whole issue of race has caused quite the controversy among us earthlings. The intellectuals love to say that we are all one in the same, that we are all of the same race –the human race- but as much as I agree and support this ideology, we all know that this isn’t the case in the real world...at least, in parts of it. So moving on from beating around the bush with this human race chit chat, let’s delve into the matter at hand.
Now let me first start off by saying thanks to God (feel free to insert whichever being you choose to believe in here if it makes you more comfortable) for giving me parents as open minded as mine. Believe it or not, ideas of racism, racial supremacy, bigotry and such the like did not really have an effect on me until much much later in my life. I, more or less, was unscathed by all of this nonsense –that's what I think of it- until I got to high school. Yes, I knew all about slavery, I knew about racism but at the same time, the environment, and I guess I can say the country in which I grew up, made all of this seem alien and too distant for me to really give a damn. In life however, we know that as we grow, we learn more and become more aware, or dare I say disillusioned by the wonderful world that we call home and its workings.
My parents worked in the hotel industry for many years and I grew up that mixed environment. I met different people from different parts of the world, different ethnicities and beliefs and my parents always nurtured this idea of exploration with us. They were and still are always interested in finding out about new things and are always open to finding out more about different people and religions and so forth.
Funny story: When I was younger, my little sister Zoie and I would have regular Sunday “lessons” with our Jehovah’s Witness neigbour, we attended Pathfinder meetings at our local Seventh Day Adventist Church, never missed a weekend with Aunty Debbie’s Baha'i Childrens’ Group and still had time to attend our own church events. Ok, this is more about religion than race, but the point is, our parents tried their best to get us exposed to as much as they possibly could have.
My mom, in all her years working in the hotel industry, has made tons and tons of friends. She has been close friends with Aisans, Whites, Indians, Arabs… you name it, my mom has a friend who fits the bill. On the day she married my father, her mom and dad were already dead and there was a dilemma with who would have been giving her away. The void was filled by her Lebanese and long time friend Elie Saoud. That was about 21 years ago, and a great friendship still exists between them up to this day- a friendship that helped me to land my first ever summer job that lasted for a few years after. My god father too is Arab. If I’m not mistaken, he’s from Syria. Last year was the first in years that I had seen or heard from him since he left Antigua and moved to the states. He visited us a few times while he was on the island, sparing just enough time to debate politics with my dad on a few otherwise quite Sunday afternoons. Oh, my dad! He was very much present in my childhood up until that point.
Aunty Debbie, mentioned above, has been a family friend for YEARS!!! - Too many years to count. She just happens to be white. We love her and treat her just as our own flesh and blood. If you knew her, you’d be a fool to do otherwise. Another good friend of my mom’s that I remember from my childhood was Bee. Well, I think that’s how her name’s spelt. Well, Bee made up a half of the couple that was Bee and Paul. Bee was asian and Paul was white. We lost touch somewhere along the way but they are always in our thoughts.
I can’t forget one of the biggest supporters of my education and my blog; Frank! I’ve known Frank for only a few years but he has been quite the family member, for lack of a better word. All that’s missing is the flesh and blood. He’s an amazing listener and a great advice giver. These are all just a few of the great people whom I’ve grown to love and appreciate in my life thus far.
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So one would see how, after being accustomed to just a little bit of everything, having to face racism first hand would change ones outlook on life. I am not one to pull the race card, at least I wasn’t until I got here. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that everyone in Morocco is racist but it is really hard for me to differentiate what is normal treatment to what is treatment based on the fact that I’m black. I have made a few good friends and met some really nice people since I’ve been here, some of whom are Moroccan born and raised, but there has to be some breakthrough for me to feel more comfortable in my own skin here. Not because I'm ashamed, but because it just feels... I wish I could explain it.
For example, I was in the market buying vegetables when someone tossed something at me. I have no idea what it was but I know it was aimed at me. The hit was too direct for it not to have been. I mean, there were only two black people within a 50ft radius; my best friend and I so I guess it’s safe to say they wanted to hit me… and they did. I didn’t see the coward who tossed whatever it was but it did bug me. A LOT! I got over it more or less. Unfortunately however, it wasn’t the first time something like that has happened. I would give other examples but I don’t want to sully the name of this country. I have grown to like it here, but I guess I really need to concentrate on growing thicker skin. As a straightforward, no nonsense gal, things like this tend to stay on my “This Bugs Me” list for quite some time. In the 8 months that I’ve been here, I haven’t figured out how to maturely respond to racist acts against me but I’m working on it.
At least I can find solace in the fact that I had the kind of upbringing that bars me from this type of ignorance. I know that I will never let something as stupid as skin be the defining factor for how I treat another, who I fall in love with, who I decided to befriend, lend a helping hand to or give a needed smile. Life is way too short for that bullshit! I think the variation of ethnicities, cultures, ideas and other customs that this world has to offer should be used to bring us together as opposed to pushing us apart. Everyone of us has something new and interesting to offer and I'll be damned if I let racism keep me from enjoying this life of mine. Call me what you may but that will NEVER change the way I feel about the colour of my skin, my ethnicity, nationality, the texture of my hair, the shape of my body and the like…if you don't like it, who cares? Deal with it!
Much love
Den
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