Whiteness

Before I begin, I must warn you that I will be making a number of generalizations in this post, and I will emphasize here that they are just that: generalizations; meaning, they do not apply to everyone.

I, like many other Americans, would like to believe we live in a post-racial society, where we are beyond discriminating or favoring people based on their ethnicity. Although the United States has made significant strides in the past century, I believe we still have a long way to go before we may consider ourselves "post-racial." Also, if I am to be successful in anthropology, it's time I become realistic about this social issue. Especially, since, I seem to be on the receiving end of a unique form of racism...

The day I conducted interviews in East Pokot, I received a wide variety of reactions to my presence from children who had never seen (but perhaps had heard about) white people. They would scream, cry, giggle, wave, hide behind their mothers or friends, or simply stand with their jaw dropped (one kid even dropped what he was carrying). It was not hard to notice that as we traveled farther away from Nairobi, the number of white people decreased. Here, in Kapenguria, I have seen only one other white person.

Reactions are not limited to children. Adults will also stare, or make comments about the "mzungu" (foreigner) in Swahili. I usually don't ask for a translation, but yesterday, Nelly told me one man could not believe I was carrying water on my head from the river along with her. Even Michael's family seems astounded when I insist on hand washing my own laundry, or bathing with a bucket of cold water like they do, rather than use Michael's connections at a nearby hotel to have hot water sprinkle from a faucet over my head.

There is so much attached to this concept of whiteness, another factor being wealth.

I was so beside myself the other day about this, that I called my friend and fellow board member, Nathan, who has visited Kenya a few times. He helped me see things a bit better from the Kenyan perspective. For instance, many people in Kenya are in "survival mode," living one day at a time, doing what they can to put food in their stomachs. As a person from the United States, I am perceived as a bottomless piggy bank.

Also, only a few people understand the concept of saving. Nathan advised me to not even try to explain what a budget or savings account is, because many of the people who are in survival mode will not understand how it is that I have this money but do not use it right now, in the present, for my needs (and their needs). They are opportunistic, rather than futuristic, doing the most they can do today to survive for as long as possible, because it is unknown what tomorrow will bring or not bring.

Yesterday was the first day I was explicitly asked for money or things by people who are more than strangers, who are friends of Michael's. One person asked for 100 shillings (about $1.50) to buy soap. Later, a girl knocked on the door of my apartment and asked if I could "assist her with drinking water" (I eventually gathered that she was asking to tap my supply of clean, store bought, bottled water). Then, at dinner, a man asked me "how many monies did it take for [me] to go to America from Nairobi?" and then if I would buy him a plane ticket to America.

In addition, I've conducted two interviews today that pleaded with me to support Daylight and tell people about it, because they realize education is the future and the way out of poverty, not understanding that I'm actually on their side, as a Daylight board member, and that my purpose on that board is to bring in more people to support Daylight. It's very exhausting and discouraging, as I feel I must explain or defend myself. Not to mention this all strays away from the main questions of my interview.

In general, it is hard for me to say no to people, but I know I cannot help everyone; my funds are limited too. It is still so frustrating to be in the midst of all this poverty and do nothing. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I experience these new challenges.

On a positive note! (I know I've been highlighting the negative a lot lately.)

I also visited Daylight Center and School yesterday. This truly was the highlight and joy of my day (even though I could not completely escape this issue of whiteness there either). Here are some pictures:

Michael suggested I bring candy to ensure no one would run away or cry!

Handing out soap to some very curious kids.

I assisted the kitchen staff by passing out porridge. You can see this kid still isn't sure about me!

High five! This started as a result of one kid coming up to me and waving at me only two inches away. So, I gave her a high five while saying "high five!" Well, then this happened...each of the kids wanted about 20 high fives. At another point in the day, they came running up to me, screaming "Hi Fi, Hi Fi!"

Visiting a classroom reviewing pronunciation of English vowel sounds.