Well we are officially headed into month 5 in Europe. Asia was so good to me and I will miss every second and every moment that I shared with these amazing people.There culture is full of rich and exciting stories and I would be lying if i said I won’t miss eating on the floor with my hands, people driving like Nas car racers and even the long and awkward stares from men woman and children.Out of all the memorable moments in Asia I have had there are no words I can use to share my experience with you,if you haven’t been make it a life goal to visit an Asia country.
One thing most of you may not be able to relate to though is being black in Asia. I though about it, and I could end my last blog in Asia with stories about a deep spiritual encounter that I had and how God moved in miraculous ways but I think you all know(based on past blogs) how good he has been to me during this trip.So I’ve decided to show you my experience with Asia with a little comic relief. Comic relief always lightens the mood. I want this to sound as humble as possible (it probably wont) but I am extremely confident in who I am as a Godly African American woman. I have no doubt in my mind that God has made me beautiful (inside and out), unique, beautiful,caring beautiful, special, beautiful and did i mention beautiful. So when I share these stories they are all coming from a curious places of the people I’ve encountered and there was no offense taken. So if your black and your reading this and you find yourself getting offended, remember were ALL ignorant to things we don’t know and in southeast Asia black isn’t something they know.Let the laughs begain.
Thailand:
One of the little girls in the slums was very scared of me.I tried not to attribute it to me being black but thats what it came down to.Her and couple of the other kids came behind me when I was sitting and tried to touch my hair when I wasn’t looking.As i felt little fingers in my head I jumped up and made the ugliest scariest face I could and began chasing the kids. They laughed and ran as I chased them around the play ground. Since they though my hair was snakes I told them I was the snakes queen and controlled all snakes.The ice was broken but most of them still would never want me to touch them.I found we often end up playing games were I was a monster chasing the kids.Which now that I think about it may not have been the best idea.I may have made it harder for the next black person that comes through the area.lol
Cambodia:
I worked at an orphanage in Cambodia so the kids loved me because we lived there and they got a chance to know me very well.We lived in a very rural area in Cambodia so most of them had never seen black people EVER (ESPECIALLY WITH DREADS). I can’t count on my hands and feet how many people almost got hit out of instinct from popping up out of no where to touch me lol.Most people did not ask to touch, they just walked up to me and start touching my hair and rubbing my arms. In Cambodia they also through my hair was snakes (yes even the adults) so many people would stop and stare.
Laos:
There was a lady who worked with us who had never seen a black person in her life.As soon as she saw me she was laughing uncontrollably.I figured she though I was funny looking but the children told me she was laughing because she really wanted to touch my skin. After about 5 minutes of rubbing and touching the kids translated to english what she had been saying.The lady had only seen black people in movies and had been told her entire life that we were made from dirty and if hit to hard we could fall apart.She was so thrilled to show me off so we went to her village and let all her friends and family rub me also.
Indonesia:
In Indonesia I took the dreads out and got braids which made no difference what so ever. There were a lot more english speaking people in Indonesia so the most commonly asked question was “Is your hair original?”. Which I never knew how to answer. When I was at the Syrian refugee camp there was a man who asked me if I was related to Oprah.When shopping in the mountains someone asked me if I was a “Negro”. That was my personal faviort. I politely had to explain to him this is not the 1960’s and we are now referred to as African Americans. Like in Cambodia, people in Indonesia were not shy to touch me and my hair without asking but I usually touched them back just to be silly.
Although being black in Asia gave a lot of unexpected and often time unwanted attention, I decided early on to be quick to teach and slow to be offended.While I was in Laos our host was so encouraging and gave me great insight.She was a white American who had been living in Laos for the past three days but she was so helpful and wise.She told me how proud she was of me for being a great sport about all the awkward and uncomfortable stares.She also explained that most of these people have never and probably will never go outside of there country let alone there villages.The only things they see are the people who come to them which are unfortunately usually white people.She later said thank you so much for being a pioneer for the african american community.So despite all the long stares and offensive lengo I am so blessed to be able to show that Gods beautiful creations comes in many diffrent shades.
