I am far from being a full-time missionary. But for this particular season in my life I am. Every month I have traveled to a different country where I have grown in obedience in telling people about Jesus through faith and deeds; people from all walks of life, to the Christian church, to “Christians”, to non-believers, to children, to teenagers, young women and men, the elderly, basically to anyone that is willing to hear about this incredible triune God. My teammate, friend and black sister in Christ who is also not a white missionary has already written a few blogs about being a “minority” missionary. Similar to her thought process, I was not expecting to recount my experience of racism on the race especially with all the news that we left behind in the States. I did not want to add another critical opinion to this sad truth without action. However, I realized that If I don’t say anything either, then I’m not acting. So here’s my story…
The first half of the race took place in Southeast Asia, where I looked like the majority of the people. Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines were the countries that we inhibited for the first four months. Out of our squad of about 40 people I was one out of two Asian Americans (he is technically only half, but I am going to count him as 100% Asian for now haha because many people thought he was Asian of some sort too). Then there is one Mexican American, one Black American and one Costa Rican (his actual nationality is Costa Rican, but ethnically he looks white as well). However, there were times that I was still looked at differently among a whole people group that looked similar to me. Those times had to do with the complexion of my skin. I was expecting this and grew up knowing this as well. Generally speaking, the fairer in skin color you are, the more beautiful you are. Just about all of the sun block and any type of face/body cleansing product had skin whitening agents in it. I am naturally yellow toned/caramel skinned. However since leaving the US back in October and living in summer like conditions for the past 7 months I have progressively transitioned into a more copper/brown skinned gal. I did struggle with that for a time, but I have come to embrace my brown skin because that is how the good Lord created me. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Whenever our group travels together (all 35-40 of us) we are pretty intimidating whenever entering airports, train or bus terminals. Not only are we a pretty large group, but we are all traveling with big hiking backpacks, and I remember when we first landed in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the inital reaction that most of us got from the airport officials were wide open welcome greetings and immediate assistance. However, I noticed that a couple of us were not as welcomed or easily assisted and we were the only members in the group that were not white. So yes there have been plenty of times that even though I am amongst the midst of the large group of white world racers that I am automatically assumed to not be apart of the group because of how I look.
Here in Africa, adults and children alike would run up to my white teammates first before coming to me to give a hug or handshake. A common assumption that I’ve gotten here in Africa is that I’m Chinese. One day my teammates and I were walking to a compound where we weekly evangangelize to the children and youth. On our way there, there was a young man that walked alongside of me and greeted me by saying,
“Ne-how!”
“I don’t speak that language”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Kunichiwa“
“I don’t speak that language either…”
“Oh ok are you Korean then?”
“No..”
“What language do you speak then.”
“English.”
“but what are you…”
So this had to have been the most entertaining dialogue that I had starting with nehow. I love my Chinese brothers and sisters. I love being Asian, but not every Asian person is Chinese friends. Lol. I have to admit there was a time where a Zambian teenager approached me saying the same thing and I almost lost it and pretty much snapped at him after spending the last month and a half correcting people about my heritage. I had to repent to the Lord after that because “ignorance is bliss” and he didn’t deserve me being smart with him in correcting him…but I was still irked. Even this month in Malawi, one of the kids that lives here at Youth Care Ministries (our ministry this month-a Children’s home and after school program) was sitting directly across from me and my white teammate was sitting in between us. He preceded to ask her about my race, first assuming I was Chinese. That didn’t even bother me that time. I was just tickled by the fact that he did not ask me directly versus asking my white teammate. She encouraged him to ask me himself and eventually he did.
I get this assumption almost daily. Well at least every time I encounter new people. I know that they don’t mean to be offensive, but I am learning not to be offended whenever people ask me what I am. It’s still frustrating though. I just take the opportunity to tell them what I am and respond to them with a smile. Reading over this I could even answer with a more eternal truth/”Jesus Juke”, that I am a child of God!
I’m aware of the negative affects of white western colonialism/economic power struggle over the years that have spawned this present day prejudice in Africa. Although this should not be an excuse to treat people a certain way. Growing up we are taught “not to judge a book by it’s cover”, but let’s face it we all do it, or have at least done it. Different races are a beautiful characteristic that the Lord created to reflect his beauty and creativity. However, because of sin, people often take the first thing they see to match up with a stereotype they are taught, whether it’s beauty, superiority, threat, class, you name it… they can definitely be held in a negative light as well.
There is this common saying in southeast Asia, “same same but different.” That is all I can think of when reminiscing my experience on the race so far concerning “race”. We are all the same same, but different. Those differences should be noted and celebrated, but so should our similarities. One similarity I am sharing is our adoption as sons and daughters of God. The church is made up of people and nations from all around the world and until Jesus comes back, his disciples are called to share this word with all people groups of all nations unifying the church through the Son of God, Jesus Christ! So the similarity of being apart of the Kingdom of God unifies our different colors, heritages and cultures! How awesome is that?
I know I’m not the only person that has experienced this…overseas or at home. Let’s continue to educate and encourage people to learn, believe and hear more about who they are…especially in Christ!
