OPINION: When a stranger asked serious, awkward questions

“Exactly. There are two things I would like to ask you. You know I am not a racist. In fact I am planning to travel and even live in Africa for a while. Do some positive projects... So I cannot be a racist. But your women. When I came to London, I had never encountered so many black women. Used to see them in movies. I watched singers. Like Michael Jackson’s sister. Jennet? Janath? (I nodded and corrected, Janet Jackson)...Yes. Janet Jackson. And then came the new generation. Beyonce and Rihanna...and I have watched the blacks here in London...all of them wear wigs. I was shocked. Young beautiful, old, all... all... wear wigs. They look like black plastic dolls! Even Michelle Obama... in the news these days with her new book...and who is that TV woman? Ofrah Wilfred? (Oprah Winfrey, I corrected, again)...yes...Oprah... all wear false hair. What is wrong with your women? Why can’t they accept who they are and how they were created by God?”

I waved my hand, as if to say, carry on. “ In my apartment, are over twenty families...you know...from every corner of the earth...Portuguese, Italians, Chinese, Polish, English...and of course you Africans...and all the mothers speak to their children in their language. But with the Africans you hear the parents speaking English and French and Portuguese ...I am always wondering why. I have lived in this place for five years. Hardly heard an African speaking their language to their children. Maybe Somalis. Are Somalis Africans or Arabs? Strange. All other people... speak their languages to their children...Are you guys still inferior or what? I know you are proud to be black. There is no way I provoke a black. It is going to be a riot... (Laughter) but where is the actual cultural pride? Tell me...am I wrong?”

OPINION: When a stranger asked serious, awkward questions

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