On Monday I met a fellow CWW volunteer who is coming to the end of the placement. When I aasked him what he had learnt he mentioned, among other things, that he was more aware of his race. He says that for the first time in his life he as experienced what it is like to be in the minority.
While his is not an experience I would wish on any one else part of me smiled because not only have I been welcomed here by everyone (many think I am Belizean…until I speak 🙂 ) but I am glad for once that the tables have been turned.
Like so many non-white people living in England, the instances of racism that this white volunteer has experienced are not the in-your-face-who you-looking-at-Nigger but the more subtle “oh…you speak such good English” variety. Most of it has been, in my view, a mixture of anti-colonial feeling, pro-Belize sentiment and in a few cases ignorance.
As a Kenyan I know how I would feel if I came to work and found a young white person had been planted in my office as a ‘consultant’ and we gained our independence in 1963. Belize has just celebrated 23 years of being a free nation, colonisation and all its horrors is not just history to these people.
I am not sure how the expat community live in this country but in Kenya they tend to isolate themselves from the people and from what I have seen of the volunteers they spend more time together than they do with the locals. I am not sure if it has been hard for them to intergrate but I would imagine that it certainly wouldn’t make things easier if they live a seperate life.
Tonight I am off to the British High Commission for drinks. I spoke to another volunteer who has been there before who says it is open to everyone but so far he hasn’t seen a black face or even a Belizean. I am sure it shall be an interesting experience for me…that is if they let me in 🙂
So I’m here finally. You know, I didn’t know I was meant to post on these things. I was speaking to A. Wahu who found ‘my space’ and was totally shocked it was more than kinda scary cos when I write I’m not expecting people to read or respond LOL I didn’t even know which blog they were reffering to when they say ‘ I read your blog’ ah well, its too late, thankies for linking me. I love yours – funny but together. This is the first night un weeks that I have been able to ‘spend’ time on the net.
I wish I was one of those that could make sense. I hope its going well.
I guess I haven’t really commented on your journal entry but I would smile too.
I’ve had many conversations with white people that have NO IDEA about racism or other inequality. but its time they began to THINK. or atleast pretend to reach enlightnement/awareness.
Hi I have been reported on I am just having fun reading the escapades of my lovely nieces that I now have my own journal, which is http://nyakehu@blogspot.com. The only problem that l find is that by the time l get into the swing of things everyone has moved on to something else.The comment on the racism one encounters as a minority is so true. I hope you will have a good time. Can you imagine an African/Black volunteer in Belize, that is so rare isn’t it? Black people hardly ever volunteer, it will be good to read any article that you write about it.
Love and kisses Auntie Wahu
A.Wahu and Ciru..have you guys heard of email? Haki my family coming to aaibisha me on the net like this? 🙂 This is not a place for you guys to aandika fua…iko order hapa ala…:)
oh..and I miss you guys so much!
I think A. Wahu and Lizzy Bizzy Beth need lessons in blog etiquette:-)
how do i join this family? is there a waiting list?
What can I say, I am sitting in the library and you cannot laugh out loud. Hey I have heard of email, but it so yesterday isn’t it. See the language that I use, l think l am cool but that is something else isn’t it. Do I sign off here as anon oh it is me
Auntie Wahu
lol @ ur ‘relaz’!
glad to see things are going well (albeit the scorching heat) here in nai its nice and cool, hope the Belizian ‘Tuskers’ are as good as the Kenyan ones…
Wangui, what do you expect when you open the door for people to interact? You should know by now that relas were put on earth to embarass you.
Mental Acro. I told you in that email at you are number 2,570 on the waiting list, unless you can sweet talk some people. You have not answered why you were asking for Oasis at a Kenyan do – not answering will affect your status on the waiting list.
Have I heard of email?
Have you heard of AOL? Its crap. but I like it this way.
regarding our ‘ow you say – “fua” talk….
You guys (meaning Mshairi and the begins at home woman) haven’t really read my blog have you?
What are you looking for? am I expected to develop an alias just for your page? I already have 3 on the go. I can’t be more than 3 people. What else am I to do *throws incREDIBLE tantrum*
by the power vested in me by the ocassional bloggers society ALL OF YOU are hereby offically banned.
so. I’ll never be lawyer. I don’t know what I just said but when I figure it out it will be binding.
guys: get over it. really.
……..I’m ‘Sayin it’
no comment.
Interesting.
I have also wondered why expats, missionaries, western diplomats in Kenya isolate themselves like they do. What is amazing is that some live in Kenya all their lives and never interact with locals at all unless they are personal domestic workers in their homes. That is something serious.
And still you cannot say they experience the full wrath of being a minority cauz you know Africans are generally very hospitable and some dang near worship anyone white.
So before I write a dessertation I will skip to the next topic. These issues are mqking me use you blog as a personal thoughts journal 🙂