Isn't amazing how as humans being singled out or sticking out is uncomfortable. Conformance seems part of our reflex actions. I remember one day sitting in a Bavarian restaurant in Munich and being the only black adult in the entire crowded famous restaurant. I started to notice all the people starring at me; bravely so; no shyness at all! At that moment I willed just one or two other black people; to come in as I wasn't comfortable being this exotic person that they were all looking at. I even suggested to my friend that we swop seats and she refused saying this was something she had gone through in Haiti; being the only white person in the street, and that it was now my turn :)
I sat there and discomfort turned to amusement at the curiosity about simple plain old me!
In the time we've been living in Dublin; I have become accustomed to that I would normally see other Africans in church at the weekend or in my home or their homes; but not usually at the school as I drop kids or at the local grocery stores or when I go for a jog. So this afternoon when o spotted fellow blacks in the airport lounge I had a sense of excitement- which was short lived :( they were the kind who seemed uncomfortable to greet us; who wondered how we had entered their space where until we arrived; they were the only blacks in the lounge...
I've learnt that this desire for similarity is based on the context!
When we got on the flight; a very bubbly and friendly flight attendant came to introduce herself (Chelsea); excited to see familiar surnames that reminded her of home. Living in Dubai, she said, made her appreciate a little bit of home when she came across it! During our stop over in Dubai; I saw the same couple I had spotted in Dublin; but this time I was not phased by their presence or excited- there were so many friendly black people who were smiling and greeting everyone as they carried on.
In this context; there was no need or desire for similarity as it was in abundance! And of course when we get back home; there's no deep excitement when seeing fellow blacks as they're in abundance; but in me there will always be that curious friendliness. A greeting, an acknowledgment at least :)
SMILE...it's for free 😊
Sent from my iPhone
No comments:
Post a Comment