At first I wasn’t going to write about this but some of the experiences have been too strange not to mention. I am a black woman goring around Turkey. At this point I haven’t seen anyone darker than George Hamilton. Although we have been told that as we go farther south the people will get darker. I am willing to grant that some people are still suffering from post winter paleness. I believe the color of most of the people so far would be classified as a creamy olive (Sarah’s classification). I have for the most part stopped noticing when people look but my team mates still see those who stare.
Several people have stopped on the sidewalk to get a closer look. The first incident was on our arrival into Ataturk airport in Istanbul. A grandmotherly typed walked by with a person who I assumed to her grandson. She passed once in front of me; came back and walked behind for a second look and then stared at me for 5 minutes as she was waiting for her family. (We were waiting for our ride).
The funniest incident – unfortunate on the part of the woman involved – occurred three or so days ago. Our host brother had after leaving “headquarters” (see previous pictures for reference) taken ad to the bank so that Sarah could get cash. As we were waiting an older woman passed by. She turned back 2, 3 times. And in her shock, awe surprised state she proceeded to run into a pole directly in front of her. Let us say that some have been more subtle.
The adventures will continue I’m sure. Before coming I had heard about a group called the AfroTurks but I have yet to see any. Perhaps they are in Ankara and Istanbul. The only dark faces I have seen are in pictures. In a photo shop near headquarters, there are several of photos of a black baby and what appears to be a wedding photo of a black gentleman and a white bride.
I must say that my host families have taken things in stride no awkward questions. Everything has been about the U.S. generally. Our discussions about race in the U.S. have been as a team.
İ wrote thıs blog earlıer. Sınce beıng ın Cappodıcıa, I have also been looked at by other tourısts.
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Wow! I didn't know George Hamilton is Turkish!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, thanks for sharing — race and skin color are never easy to talk about, and us Americans don't really think about how it is in other countries. As such, this post was really informative.
Reminds me of when we went to visit you in Japan. I remember that elderly couple who wanted so badly to have their picture taken with us. I still like to tell people that it was because they thought I was Halle Berry. Makes me feel special. At least there's nothing malicious about it and your host families have been great. Keep on having fun sis and hopefully no more innocent poles will have to suffer.
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