I am an African

In the entire two adjacent buildings that the company occupies, each 5 floors high, I have only seen one other black face. When I bumped into this ‘kinsman’, brief introductions revealed he comes from Cuba. Cough. Where is that on the world map?

Ok, so far I am the face of Africa.

That by itself is no big deal. Just that people have ‘things to say’ about Africa. They have jokes they share.  A few have questions to ask. Some have percieved ideas about many facets of Africa, you know, that dark continent.  Then suddenly, in sounters an African woman. True in all manner of form. And she is not going anywhere. She is here to stay.

CNN has done a good job educating the World about Africa. I could not hide my disgust on the day B. Obama became the presidential nominee for the democrats. CNN did Kenya proud by planting one of their correspondents in the heart of Kibera slums, to gather the ‘feeling on the ground’ in the native land from where Obama hails, well atleast a-half-of-him !

In our open-plan offices, I cannot help but catch a phrase here,  a joke there, or stereotyped-mindset, all seemingly justified, describing the sorry state of Africa. In line with the company’s business, Africa features in one way or another, more than occassionally.

My collegues now have a live specimen to look at. So, the other day, one senior person was at our section, discussing an important matter. Suddenly, one of my collegues throws in one of those ” africa”  joke/phrase. A brief uncomfortable silence ensued, and to save themselves from I-don’t-know-what, the manager blantantly admonishes, ” guys, you have to stop that now that she is here with us”

The thing is, much of the time,  I have similar sentiments like them, and many times, I feel exactly how they feel about most of the things they say about Africa. BUT, there is no way I can join them in the jokes. That would be silly. And I have a little healthy pride. Yet, I am not a stone, I have feelings. I am not deaf, I hear these things, and I can read in between the lines. And while at it, I am part of the team.

I have not intention to defend Africa, or Kenya for that matter. [ It amuses me when people speak as though Africa is boundary-less]. On the other hand, I have no apologies to make for being African, or Kenyan.  All that I will offer, is just me. A woman, resident in Switzerland, who hails from Africa. And when they do get to drop by our house, I may just cook them some Ugali, or some irio, or some Njahi, or some chapati, and some Kenyan tea. Ofcourse, Kenyan tea.