And the Race Continues.

The race wars have continued for me here in mozambique. I hate to keep blogging about it, but this one situation blew my mind. I just had to write about it.

Michelle and I were sitting at a restaurant the other day, and this White man (probably South African) came up to us and shook Michelle’s hand and greeted her.

“Hi, how are YOU?” (guy shakes her hand)
“WE’RE good thank you.”
“Great. Are YOU from America?”
“Yes, WE’RE from America.”
“Ok, what are you doing here?”
“WE’RE volunteers with Peace Corps.”
“Good. Nice to meet YOU, take care.”
“Yea thanks, nice meeting you too.”

I had to emphasize the YOU and WE because Michelle was trying to acknowledge that I was also sitting there, and yes the black girl is also American. But this happens all the time when I’m with her. She’s the white girl, and people will speak to her first and literally hold a conversation with her while not saying a thing to me. Or I get the, “Where does she live? Is she a volunteer too?” And I’ll be standing right next to Michelle. Um Hello, just ASK me, I have a mouth too. Sometimes I want to say something, like “You can talk to me, I’m standing right here.” But it happens so frequently that I don’t have the energy to go into it. I figure if a grown person doesn’t know any better or have the manners to speak to me, then I really don’t have the time to deal with it. Depending on the situation, I'll speak up, but normally it flies over my head. To stop every person and say how I REALLY feel would be time consuming. And let's face it - you can't waste time in this country.

Anyways, I have started to learn to deal with racism and discrimination in this country with a sense of humor and laughter. i also learned that just because I'm different and receive unwanted attention or bad attitude, doesnt mean I have to take it - and I don't! I usually keep my cool, but I will not be disrespected. Not here, not anywhere. Like they say, through time things will get better....it has to right? Cuz I got a long way to go!

Smooches