I'm a racist

Well, according to a fellow Australian volunteer from Melbourne I am. Apparently, because I dared to have another opinion than one of our Kenyan managers, and ended up talking her around to trying out my idea, I'm a racist. Even though, in trying out my idea, it in no way precludes subsequently trying out the Kenyan manager's idea if mine should not succeed.

(The issue involved one of our street kids who had returned to the street, and came looking for some food. I wanted to give him another chance before we "made him" stick to the rules, so not just a simple issue of two opinions, we were talking about someone's life).

"You shouldn't think you know best just because you're white."

Oh my. She didn't seem to understand the point that I, like probably most people, sometimes have differing ideas to many managers I work with, and that's a part of adding value to an organisation. And this from a Malaysian Australian woman who is making it a very obvious point not to mix, associate or become friends with any whites of any kind while in Kenya - Kenyans or foreigners - only black Kenyans. I wonder if she sees the irony in her accusation at all? I'm guessing not...

This is also the girl who hung out with a couple of Masai men while down in Zanzibar, and then when one came to visit her in Thika (that's where I am, in case you 'all have forgotten) and she booked him into a nearby hotel, was surprised that he seemed really upset that he wasn't staying with her, in her room...

Unfortunately, like it or not, as a white (or even Malaysian Australian) foreigner in this country you're seen by many as one of either:
- A ticket out
- A badge of honour
- An easy score

And it has less to do with black and white and more to do with cultural and economic realities. It is a little unfortunate, means you do have to choose your local friends very carefully, however it's just something you have to accept as a part of life here.