Coming to the USA I had the shock of my 5 year old life. I had so many stupid questions and downright mean comments from people. My clothes were never quite right, though I never really cared. My name was odd and too long. Why couldn't I be Laura, Becky, Susan, Vanessa people wondered(the polite ones privately and the asses out loud, to my FACE!) and over the years I still get this one so I've developed several logical replies...
My name has significance in my family
There's a vowel for every consonant
It has the same number of letters as Elizabeth
Deciding whomever is complaining/commenting has limited mental capacity (my personal favorite)
Ignoring folks till they at least give it a try
I learned early on that I did not fit in with the US kids. Now the flip side is having been in the US so long and raised in a small midwestern town, I can't really relate to many of my Liberian peers either. So like the man in black I walk the line. At all times. I must. I have learned which labels apply to me and which don't. I take on those that fit and deflect those that don't. I've had over 20 years of practice walking this line. I have always been as American as I have been a foreigner. I've learned to accept that. Being here in the UAE is rather comforting. Why? Almost everyone is a foreigner and those who children who were born and raised here must also walk the line. They will NEVER be Emirati. Yet this may be all they know. They must balance what they know of this country with what the culture of their forefathers. It's a difficult road to travel.
Why this post? I read a post by an LT that reminded me once again that though I am an American over here when push comes to shove, I am an African...the least desired of all races or so some would think. It hurt my heart so...it snapped me back from my false sense of brother/sisterhood with those I've met over here. That's the funny thing about the internet, it makes relationships seem real when they aren't smh. Either way. I am proud to be Liberian. As equally proud as I am to be American. This is my fate. I walk the line.
PS-No I never lived in a hut nor did I hunt in the jungle...smh
My name has significance in my family
There's a vowel for every consonant
It has the same number of letters as Elizabeth
Deciding whomever is complaining/commenting has limited mental capacity (my personal favorite)
Ignoring folks till they at least give it a try
I learned early on that I did not fit in with the US kids. Now the flip side is having been in the US so long and raised in a small midwestern town, I can't really relate to many of my Liberian peers either. So like the man in black I walk the line. At all times. I must. I have learned which labels apply to me and which don't. I take on those that fit and deflect those that don't. I've had over 20 years of practice walking this line. I have always been as American as I have been a foreigner. I've learned to accept that. Being here in the UAE is rather comforting. Why? Almost everyone is a foreigner and those who children who were born and raised here must also walk the line. They will NEVER be Emirati. Yet this may be all they know. They must balance what they know of this country with what the culture of their forefathers. It's a difficult road to travel.
Why this post? I read a post by an LT that reminded me once again that though I am an American over here when push comes to shove, I am an African...the least desired of all races or so some would think. It hurt my heart so...it snapped me back from my false sense of brother/sisterhood with those I've met over here. That's the funny thing about the internet, it makes relationships seem real when they aren't smh. Either way. I am proud to be Liberian. As equally proud as I am to be American. This is my fate. I walk the line.
PS-No I never lived in a hut nor did I hunt in the jungle...smh
Stay strong :)
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