Ok, so I should have started this blog like a year ago, but I figure better late than never, and I have a feeling this year will definitely have a lot in store as well. Anyway, to recap on my life in 2009, I came to Korea to teach english at a private school (hagwon), loved the kids, hated the system, learned new things about myself (things I'll mention later), did some volunteering, and reapplied to grad school.
A day ago, I finally started school, which is the main reason I came to Seoul. Yesterday, the private school which I thought I was done with of course called me with a problem that needed fixing. Lucky for them, I actually answered my phone ( even though I have a phone, I'm not big on phone calls). Anyway, I went back to the school, which took like an hour (wow, now that I'm looking back on it smh), and helped them out. So, now I can officially say that I'm done with the hagwon.
Like I said, I should've started this blog when I first came her last year. Perhaps, it could have been an outlet for my frustration of working at the hagwon. Things happened over the past year, that really made me question a lot about myself, other people, etc.
One thing that is probably one of the most significant is the fact that for the first time, I truly identified myself as "black." Ok, let's stop here for a sec, and I'll explain. My mom is west indian (Kittitian) and my dad is black american (mostly african descent). Anyway, I was born and raised in D.C., which is also known as chocolate city to locals (nuf said). However, I never really thought of myself as black american. I mean, I was was born in the 80s in D.C., so I def got all things afrocentric spoon fed to me since birth (kente cloth and everything), but as a child it's hard to understand the depth of it all. Of course my skin is brown, but the culture of black people I grew up with, I couldn't relate to. For one thing, I was raised by my mom who passed on her culture to me ( I guess, and I only admit this now, I also did not want to be a part of black american culture b/c I had issues with my dad). This is changing though. Btw, I know it might be confusing, but I do make a distinction between different kinds of black people, based on ethnicity. That being said, growing up, most of my close friends were not black american. Mainly, because I couldn't relate to a lot of them (lifestyle, family).
That's the background info. Now on to the point I'm trying to make, which is, I came to Korea with a west indian mentality. However, when I got here, I was black (or Indonesian or Filipino or African, or Indian) depending on the person's perception of my features. I later realized though that I was getting confused myself. Being surrounded by a culture where appearance is very important, I realized how dressing a particular way got me categorized (cap and sweatpants= black american I'd get the "yo what's up", indian style print clothes and gold jewelry=something indo, nicely dressed=I don't know what you are, european maybe?) All this and stereotypes I tried to take with a grain of salt because I know that most of the people I come across here have not been exposed to many foreigners of color. I must admit though, I did get tired of it sometimes because I didn't really know anyone else of color, or anyone else that could relate. At the time, all I had were my family and friends who were a million miles away in chocolate city lol
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