The Inner Hopings of Hopeful Teenager
Just because I am white and come from a small farming community somewhere in the depths of Zimbabwe everyone assumes that I am a racist. I moved to a first world country where a majority of the people are white... and ignorant. The first few months here I had questions like, "How come you're not black?" and "Did you own slaves?" Not only were these questions hurtful but they were also extremely hypocritical coming from the citizens of a country that is infamous for wiping out and entire population of indigenous people within the space of a year. I understand that I cannot blame the people for asking me such questions as they have grown up in a world of ‘butterflies and bubbles’ where their greatest concern is what they will wear to a party on Saturday. I am grateful that there are places in the world where such trivial concerns can govern the mind, but there are greater things in the world that could run through our minds rather than just material matters.
For the past 8 years Zimbabwe has been subjected to what has been called 'ethnic cleansing'. A process that involves the original land owners taking back land and farms that have been in the possession of white farmers for a 100 years or more, with no regard to the economic consequences of closing down the country's principle food providers. Due to eight years of this, the country is now in irreparable economic and financial ruin. With a published inflation rate of 4,400% and a more realistic, black market inflation rate of 40,000% it is a wonder that any person, black or white, is able to survive. Children can only take 2-minute noodles and tomato sauce for a lunch time snack, if they can afford it at $ 200,000 a pop.
Zimbabwe is the only country in the world in which money expires after a month, and the only country in the world in which a restaurant meal costs on average $1000 more at the end of the meal than when it was ordered. Due to this economic break down, foodstuffs such as oil, butter, sugar, salt, any type of meat, most fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol, bread and other food groups are extremely hard to come by. As food is now a luxury item, the poorest black people, eg. the lawyers, bank managers, school teachers, professors of eight years ago are bribed by the promise of foreign aid in exchange for their vote for President Robert Mugabe and the government party of ZANU – PF, the very same party responsible for their predicament in the first place. Of course this promise is never kept, as one can expect from a corrupt government, but it’s the hope that counts. Just as the hope that one-day help from first world countries such as mine will come and help them, but it has yet to come.
I do not blame the citizens of a first world country if they find it difficult to believe, understand or even know what I am talking about. The ban of all media, camera crews or foreign news stations allowed into Zimbabwe has resulted in worldly ignorance, as anticipated. As for the governments of America, Europe and Australia I am not so forgiving. President Bush initiates war on a rumored nuclear country, surprisingly containing oil, (I was in grade seven at the start of the Iraq War) and yet does not do anything for a small, insignificant, tea-pot shaped country where there is blatant evidence demonstrating multiple breaches of the Human Rights laws outlined in United Nations.
This I can somewhat understand though. How can a man fronting a country that only 50 years ago allowed whites and blacks into the same classroom wage war on a country that only gained independence from the British in 1981? The entire world would cry racism when, in reality they should be screaming human injustice and dictatorship. I cannot expect Europe to do anything about it either; what bad press they would receive by trying to correct a mistake they made 19 years ago. As for Australia, how can they do anything as they have only recently admitted to the mistakes of their forefathers and are now dealing with compensation claims to take them into the next millennia?
Seeing as not many people even know of the situation, how can there be anyone to help? And if the only ones who can help can’t due to public opinion, where does that leave my friends (both black and white) and all of the other innocent people wondering if the world has forsaken them? Simple… believing the world has forsaken them.
I will be the first to admit that I have had many racist thoughts throughout my life. It is not easy to see the good in the people that give you 24 hours to move out of your home and a lively hood that you have known for 11 years of your life, especially if they are black. But I remember talking to Peter, a worker at my boarding school who was about 30 years old, five years ago and telling him that I was moving to a first world country, I remember the sadness is his eyes, his longing to escape and him telling me that the only place he could go would be to Zambia (a country just as corrupted as Zimbabwe) to a family that he had never meet. I was the lucky one.
I had adopted my parent’s view of black people, who had adopted their views from their parents, the first settlers to the African country. And as history goes the modern pioneers of the early 19th century did not look favorably upon the black natives that lived on the land they had ‘discovered’. Try telling me any white explorers that did. I went to a boarding school in which about 40% was black. I admit there were some difficult moments, but there were more good ones than bad. I remember going home on weekends confused and wondering why my black friends at school were different to the black workers on my dad’s farm. (Paid Black workers may I point out).
I realized that there are only good people and bad people; not black and white. Stalin, Hitler and Fidel Castro were all white men; white… if a white man, by past definition stands for all things good and pure, doesn’t the past 100 years of modern history prove it wrong? What about Martian Luther King? He was a good man. Nelson Mandela? They are all black and all good men. Why can Mugabe not be classed as bad on the basis of what he does and not assumed good on the basis of his skin? Why can’t I be believed for everything I say in this and it assumed true, without being branded a racist for saying ‘black’ to describe native Africans? People are people. There are good people and there are bad people, why did it take a dictatorship to help me realize?
I guess now, as you turn of you computer and tune into the next episode of Gossip Girl, I will go back to hoping that my friends stay safe in a country filled with crime and corruption, and I will hope that more will come from the media coverage surrounding Australia choosing to boycott Zimbabwe in international cricket this year, and I hope to God that it will not turn out to be another Hollywood movie opportunity within the next 20 years just like Hotel Rwanda, I hope that something will be done about it before it is too late.
Thank you for reading this, I am sorry if anything in this offends you (especially the title, how else was I to get your attention?) , or if you find it too difficult to read.
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This is really an eye-opener. Though not all Americans are quite that shallow, many are (I try to avoid them, personally). I went to one of the wealthiest schools in the state, and you'd be amazed by the things those people found to complain about : "I forgot my I-pod. Now I'll have to listen to the music in the gym when I work out." "My Mercedes wouldn't start this morning, I had to ask my dad for a ride." One girl even pitched a fit because her mother wouldn't buy her a sweater, saying that $400 (American) was too much for one article of clothing. Whereas in my family, our complaints were more along the not having anything to eat line, or having been beaten or punished unjustly (not eating all weekend because I forgot to clean something).
I am most happy about your point that skin color does not indicate a person's worth. My very racist grandfather told me a couple months ago that I shouldn't have anything to do with anybody who isn't white - according to him, they're beneath me. If that isn't the biggest load of bull I've ever heard....It really pissed me off. I have white friends, black friends, Asian friends, Mexican friends - not a single one of them is any better than the others. They're all good people, working their butts off to get through life, and a good deal better than my bitter bigot of a grandfather.
I don't need drugs - I have genetics.
I am not allowing you to say you're sorry for this post. Why? Because it was an awesome post. This shows a unique point of view of a country many Americans know so little about. I hate the materialism of America, but I can't even imagine what it would be like to live in a place like Zimbabwe where prices inflate within a half hour and the government is even more corrupt than it is here.
Great blog entry, so keep up the good work.
Wow! your stance on this issue is truly amazing!
I think that the reason so many people were harassing you with inappropriate questions when you moved from Zimbabwe was that many people believe in stereotypes. If you're from the south you must be a redneck, if you're a woman you must not be able to drive, if you're from a country in Africa you must be black. It's sad really. More and more people appear to be living their lives by stereotypes. People need to start standing up for themselves and the minorities as well! If not, I can't even imagine what our world will come to next.
Wasn't this already posted?
This was a good article and a Eye openerDOING THE DAMN THING!!
I believe this blog has already been posted. Am I missing something?
“I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return.” - Frida Kahlo
Pubic hair is natural
No...
I promoted it without realizing the user had already posted it once a week ago. I've messaged them to ask them to delete one of the blogs.
None of this was offensive, if anything it's interesting to see the point of view of an white person growing up in Africa, which is usually only seen in the eyes of a black person.
I can honestly say that I have never witnessed true turmoil as I have grown up in the U.S. my whole life, minus three years that were spent in France. But, I have been to Africa, specifically Cameroon, and I have seen the poverty.
I think it's amazing that you were able to grown past the prejudice teachings and form your own ideas. The idea that people are good and bad no matter what skin color.
I'm faced with a lot of the same ignorances at school and I understand how frusterated you are. Although you experiences are far most unique than mine, I can relate to the feeling of dissapointment. Dissapointed that these people don't know the world beyond their small suburban city.
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"Most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same." - Erykah Badu
I knew a lot about african countries - Darfur, Kenia, your country, but never talked to real people from there. I have a question - how you country can survive if doesn't have any resourses? Or if it does, than what kinds of natural resourses are they?
You know, it's sad about your friends and everything, but there is not much to be done about it. "Big countries" don't like to "feed small countries". No offence. I'm from Russia, and we had some tough times too - for 1000 rubles (russian maney) before you could buy a house, in one month you could buy a bread for this money - that bad inflation. And nobody really wanted to help. So i think it's totally up to people of Zimbabwe to solve their problems, even thought it not right. Because there is really no one to count on.
That's a crappy world we live in, you should just pray God you got lucky and moved to safe place.
Excellent post, but, why would the title be remotely offensive? *doesn't get it*
Some people use the term, 'Just becasue I'm black' so i changed it a little to get my point across. Some people i know would get offended by it so i apologised for it in advance
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Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller
When I read the title I thought it was going to be another blog about how it's so hard for White people to find scholarships, or how they can't use the N word. But i was proven wrong and I really liked this post. It's a perspective I've never heard before.
“I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return.” - Frida Kahlo
Pubic hair is natural
Oh my goodness. I definitely thought the same thing as _Meke when I saw the title and I was thinking of ways to get points across without seeming offensive. No. Joke.
But I am definitely glad that I read this. It's posts like this that make me realize that sometimes I have really have no idea what is going on in the world.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/toriavic
it really goes to show just how bad it is out there in Africa.
i don't have an answer to fix anything out there, but it's just one huger mess, and something needs to be done.
Ok, before I forget... Yes, I did just reply to a comment. and now I'm posting a comment because I feel like... well, they're related, but still separate. anyway
Wow. The beginning was something I just completely related to (well, in a manner of speaking).
I lived in Louisiana for a few years, and when it came to skin color things weren't easy. Not at all. I wasn't dark like the majority of the other black girls at school, but I obviously wasn't white. The times that people came up to me and, after looking at my skin and my hair texture, went "what ARE you?" ... it hurt.
For a moment I almost said that I was glad to see someone else who can understand how I feel, but I wouldn't wish that on anybody.
I'm glad that you feel much better about all of it than you did when you first moved from Zimbabwe, because it does take some getting used to and getting over.
Or maybe just accepting it? (at least, that was my problem...)
I... honestly can't think of much else to say without rambling (like I'm not already. haha ) ;)
but, to quite the comment by Meaghan Kochheiser, "this is really an eye-opener." I can't pretend to understand everything you wrote on due to experience, but I try to
www.progressiveu.org/blog/toriavic
when people think of africa, they think of black people and AIDS. Its nice to hear of other races coming from a cool place like africa. Charlize Theron and Seether hail from south africa respectively and they're now famous.
when people think of africa, they think of black people and AIDS. Its nice to hear of other races coming from a cool place like africa. Charlize Theron and Seether hail from south africa respectively and they're now famous.
I literally feel the plight of corruption in government is completely inevitiable now. I'll boycott Zimbabwe in international cricket. Even if 99% of the people in my high school don't know what the hell is it. (It's a much more honest version of Baseball...which also corrupt here in America as well....AHH!!!)
"There's no answers when the questions aren't ever asked" --The Decline by NOFX
Wow! Growing up in such a tumultuous region must have been extremely difficult. I cannot even begin to comprehend how tough that must have been! Yikes!
Truly the public perception of Africa has naturally placed focused on the hardships of the black community, but it is very helpful to know that white Africans know the true meaning of racism as well.
Very insightful!
God Bless!
-Tim
Along with the many others who commented on your post, this WAS a huge eye-opener for me! It's so easy to take the things we have for granted and ignore the issues of others living so far away.
GREAT writing!!!
Brilliant. Stunning.
Elliott
www.youtube.com/MechanisticMoth
www.myspace.com/PseudoPsychicAccumulation
So there are still white farmers in Zimbabwe?
There is about 10% left actully farming on their land. Most farmers are bribing the black people to not take there farms by growing food for them, or handing over half of the farm to them. But there are a couple more living Harare, the capital city. They are trying to keep their busniesses open. Mugabe (the president) made all shops sell their good at half price because they were 'corrupt horders of food' This ended up being 75% loss with inflaction, and most stores couldn't order in food for the next week. I don't understand how they can be surviving. The exchange rate last week was $ 20 000 000 Zim dollars to $ 1 US.
Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller
The first half was very eye-opening. Your right that many people don't know what is happening. The unfortunate thing is that there is no international incentive for any country to help. Only companies and organizations could help. America would need backing from the UN and Congress to do anything in any country. The national wants don't extend to many countries. But very well written Blog.
I hear what you're saying and I know where you're coming from. As an American, born and raised I know how other Americans view Africa. They think it's either a giant desert with people living in huts or a bunch of savages killing each other. Since I was five years old, my aunt and uncle have lived in Kijabe, Kenya. Two of my cousins were born there. They used to send us videos of what it was like where they lived and I've come to appreciate what I have and that I have the ability to take it for granted, because the people over there are happy if they get a meal once a day.
Like Zimbabwe, Kenya is currently in a state of tribal warfare and ethnic cleansing. The fighting broke out right after Christmas when the Orange party claimed that the current president rigged the election, so that he was re-elected. The tribes then set out to kill eachother. The school in which my aunt and uncle teach has black workers who live off campus. After the fighting broke out, some of their worker's villages were burned to the ground and any people left in the village were killed. The workers either sought refuge at the school or hid in the forests hoping upon hope they weren't found. Even knowing that, I find it hard to comprehend what it must be like not knowing if you're going to make it through the next day.
Good write. I think more people should read it and then maybe they will realize what they thought was true doesn't always turn out to be.
As another person said, this truely opened my eyes. I can't even imagine a meal costing five dollars more at the end much less 1,000 dollars. The boldness required to post this is encouraging since cameras aren't allowed in the country. Someone has to reveal the truth. Books can be written and movies can be made. It is pitiful to think of all the countries, including the United States, that do nothing to assist those who need help. We spend millions to billions on pork barrel each year just to appease citizen when the money could be used to make a enormous difference where it is needed. There is no reason to say you are sorry if this post offends someone. It should! We, as Americans, should be ashamed we are not doing more.
Leah
...and I'm most definitely ashamed.
I've always prided myself on knowing what is going on in the world--I'm an avid member of the Genocide Intervention Network, I plan local fundraisers for Nothing But Nets and several other international charities--and I have actually been a member of a board that has given the Zimbabwe Orphan Endeavor grants several years in a row.
Because of this, I truly am ashamed to say that I was totally ignorant as to the real situation. This breaks my heart.
I really commend you for taking a stand. Do you happen to know of any organizations that are working to help? And if so, would you be so kind as to let me know what they are? I'd like to put my fundraising skills to use, if possible. This truly is a cause to work for.
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If I don't do the talking, then tell me: who will?
Does anyone remember the inflation rate Germany experianced after World War One? Your paper is full of anti-American themes and bigotry. To say everyone in a country concerns themselves with their clothes is more close-minded than any thought that has passed through my American mind. You may be wanting to open eyes but you for sure shut mine within the first few lines. There are lots of countries whose problems are ignored by the United States and preety much every other major country in the world. Maybe you should insult the U.N. for not holding up their morals and not criticize a single country. A countries problem is the world's problem not the United State's.
I was not personally 'attacking' the US, if you don't remeber i made references to Britain, United Nations and Australia. I was saying the people in 1st world countries tend to care more for material items rather than problems in other countires. It was a generalisation. I am sorry if you took offense to it.
Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller
Thank you very much for such a humble response and i am sorry for attacking so brutely. I guess i felt perturbed by the harsh wording but understand why you did it that way. You got your point across. It is wonderfully written and that i took offense quickly doesnt change that.
OK, Mr Mugabe seems to be incapable of carrying out any recognizable form of government, aside from repression.
He does not tolerate dissent and is largely responsible for Zimbabwe current, deplorable state of affairs. He perpetuated himself in power resorting to violence and intimidation.
However, please educate me. My only sources of information about Zimbabwe are Internet and the occasional Wilbur Smith novel.
Weren't white farmers notoriously right-winged, and attempted to create under Cecil Rhodes a state even more racist than South Africa?
Didn't they take advantage of the region's endemic tribalism and sided with the warlike Matabele in order to better oppress the Shona majority?
Mugabe is Shona, isn't he?
Didn't Rhodesia, while the white supremacy lasted, quarrel (with the help of South Africa) with pretty much every leftist government in the region?
I sympathize with your plight, and I do not believe in collective punishment, but don't you think that, perhaps, whites in Zimbabwe put themselves in this situation?
I do agree with you to some extent when you say that whites brought it on themselves. I so believe the previous goverments did take advantage of the black people. However, President Mugabe is not only punishing the white people but his black people as well. In 2006 Mugabe ordered his army to demolish townships of people. Basically low income type housing that the poorest black people live in. All the homless were forced into 'consentration camps' were they were only given food if they voted for him. Mugabe took the white peoples land and forced the country into economic ruin, then rounded up his own people that he was supposed to be protecting and starved them with foreign aid so that he could secure his votes for the next term. Does that sound like karma or just pure dictatorship to you?
Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller
That Mugabe is the scum of the earth, nobody denies.
And all that innocent people being collectively punished by his craziness and greed, black and white alike, is inadmissible.
I was just pointing out, wackos like Mugabe usually don't just sprout from a vacuum.