Sho. Racists? i just don’t understand you. Except that it HAS to be othering. That’s all i can think of. The cure for racism then has to be connection…

 

That was a thought that came to mind as Val and myself sat on the pavement just off De Waal drive last night, about 100m from our house, watching the incredible festivities that were a part of an African wedding reception taking place across the street.

How can you know if you Other?

Let’s backtrack just a little.

Val and Brett eating an incredible fish dinner that Val has cooked up and there is this loud booming clearly African vibed music coming from somewhere outside. 

We finish eating and i grab my shoes and head towards the door. 

tbV: Where are you going?

Brett: Just thought i’d take a walk.

tbV: You going the check out the party?

Brett: Maybe. Wanna come?

So we walk outside and down the road a little and it’s clearly happening across the road and very definitely African with quite a French feel to the music so maybe DRC or somewhere around there. The stunning colours and designs of African dress are also quite a giveaway. 

A couple out walking with their dog are pretty much pressed against the fence the party is happening behind and one of the guests has come across and is vibing with their dog and chatting to them, maybe explaining what is going on as the bridal couple are seated at a couch right at the front. Loud music and dancing and intermittent cheering.

We decide to keep a bit more distance and so we sit on the edge of the pavement across the street and watch for a while. There is a really cold breeze starting to pick up and so i know we won’t be there for too long. 

It is big. It is loud. It is celebration in a way that white people struggle to match unless they’re drunk [how reserved we can be when we’re not marching in taking other people’s land!] And it is beautiful! 

We stand up and walk hand-in-hand slowly back home, marinading in the sounds and sights we have been caught up in. i think to myself that if Val wasn’t around i may have been a little bolder and gatecrashed the party [i’m not really a gatecrashing kind of person so that may have only happened in my head, but i would have walked a little closer and maybe joined the sub-party at the fence!] 

But ultimately i am left puzzled and confused. Saddened. By the knowledge of how much racism still exists in our country. And how meaningless most of it is. Surely if you knew the people i know. Surely if you just had a chance to be an observer of such a glorious celebration. 

Surely?