My story begins at the heart of racism. My parents are from South Africa.
My Dad has coloured skin. My Mum has white skin. During apartheid, this was sufficient legal grounds not to allow them to marry. They had to leave their country to be together. Belgium became their home from the early 80’s.
I was born in Belgium. I came out white but African inside. I am mixed race with white skin. Yep…
Growing up, despite the fact that I was white in a white country I was always different. Everything about our family set us aside.
We were the Africans. But I’m white…
We were that family that speaks English. But I’m white…
We were the ONLY protestants in the school. But I’m white…
Once, an adopted Brazilian child in my class told me to go back to where I came from. Oh, the irony.
I was always reminded about how different I am to everyone else. I couldn’t see it.
As an adult, the trend continues. I now live in England, a white, English speaking country and yet “ you’re not from here, are you?”
I’m that lady from Africa… or is it Belgium? The lady who speaks French.
Upon meeting me, people can never work out my accent and where I come from. I used to joke and say I am just “confused”.
I don’t seem to fit in anywhere. Perhaps I was destined to be different. Perhaps we all are. Wouldn’t the World be a boring place if we were all identical? What would we have to learn from each other? We only exist because of our relationship to others.
Quite frankly, given my experience of having white skin, I have no idea what white privilege is supposed to mean. However, I do see the inequalities, the persecution and the injustice directed towards people of a different race, faith, gender, sexual orientation and it is sickening.
I believe this hatred is rooted in ignorance. I also believe that love overcomes hatred and that we are stronger together. If we all stand together against injustice and celebrate our differences together, we can bring positive change to the World and perhaps make Martin Luther King’s dream become an actual reality.
As Gandhi said “ In a gentle way, you can shake the World”.
Joelle