Before venturing off to the Middle East, I had a lot of opinions about people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. Growing up a poor, black woman in America helped to shape those beliefs; good or bad. It is said, you don't see the world as it is, you see the world as you are and before coming to Abu Dhabi, I may have believed that most white Americans didn't have respect, understanding or appreciation for many black Americans. My world as it was, was simply black and white, as is everything in America.Having now lived abroad and experienced people from all over the world, literally, I can say that I no longer feel like a black woman, living in a white mans world, but instead, I feel like a human being and while most people here don't believe that there are black people in the US (that's another conversation), I am proud to be referred to as simply, an American.
All my life I have exchanged descriptions related to race, but it feels so empowering to finally exchange descriptions based on lineage. I know that my roots date back farther than my ancestors arrival to North America, but all I know and all I've ever known is America and for that, I am grateful.
It is a great time to be in the UAE. I have been here through some of the greatest revolts of our time across Africa and the Middle East, through the capturing and execution of Osama bin Laden, the 10 year anniversary of 911 and the presidential tenure of Barak Obama. One might think that I have experienced backlash from the Islamic community and while some people may not agree with the U.S.'s politics or policies, they have shown me nothing but love, from my Iraqi doctor to my Pakistani taxi drivers, they all speak highly of Obama and the country I call home.
Indeed, it has been exciting times and trying times, but no matter what, I have always felt safe, respected and sometimes envied by those whom most Americans would think were our enemies. It has been anything but hostile here and for the first time as a black woman, I feel empowered, not as a black woman, but as an American woman. I finally feel as though my ancestors blood, sweat and tears were not in vain and that I am living my American dream; free to be me, free to be free.Until Next Time...Peace & Blessings
Terre
Awesome entry Terre! I totally agree with you - being in the UAE hasn't made me think "this race vs. the other" or "this religion vs. the others" - it has made me think of home - MY CANADA - and how proud I am to be a Canadian (more than I ever was before).
ReplyDeleteI have also grown so much more respect for Americans (Canada's rival and yet best friend), I have met some great Americans and can't wait to visit the south (and that's not Florida either!). I've made new friends in Obama and Oprah more than ever before as well!
Love it, Live it, Breathe it; Freedom.
Can't wait to be HOME! Home of the free!
Thank you Mel for your response. I know that we have all been changed for better or worse, me, for the better. I am just glad to be able to come home and let people know that the Middle East is not our enemy and like you, but for the first time, I am so very proud to be American. The struggle that my ancestors went through during the slave trade, made it possible for me to utter those words and to them and for them, I am forever grateful!
ReplyDeleteTerrelove it, you are a wonderful writer . So clear and concise . I also agree that your self identity broadens here in the Middle East . Black americans are seen through many lenses . Meaning very few intially assume I am american . the question is " ARE YOU FROM SUDAN ? " or " What part of Ethiopia are you from ? ". The interesting thing is that the blacks from these particular countries view me as a foriegner ,where as at home " we are all black " the question being what state ?. I too am glad and proud to have the blue passport , especially when I see so many whose face resemble mine but their freedom and civil liberties are so limited . HMMMMMMMMM Peace and Blessings Saundra Robinson
ReplyDeleteSaundra, thanks for your comments. I also get the "are you from S. Africa or Kenya"? As if, I couldn't be from any other place in the world.
ReplyDeleteYesterday for the first time, a Sudanese sister said, "you must be from the US" and I was shocked, because that never happens. With all of the black celebrities out of the US, I don't get why people around the world, don't believe that we exist there.