Identity

I am  from Nairobi, Kenya.. What does the world say about Kenyans? What do you know about Kenyans? Does being an African living in the United States make me an African American?

 I also have black Skin. Who- or what- do people think about people with black skin? About me?

How I am labelled depends on one who is making the label. Depending on who i interact with, I  am,

• African,
• Black,
• Kenyan, 
• African American,
• Negro. 

Quite often I am judged based on appearance and background. What people think about my Intelligence, my work ethic, my cultural tastes and values, and even my own humanity - is out of my control. This is true even for our President, Barack Obama. His patriotism, intelligence, and his leadership ability is often questioned because of his appearance and his Kenyan background.

But these judgements are not based on our character, not on what we do. Instead, those judgements are based on stereotypes and prejudice. I want to be seen as a person. A Kenyan person. But not better or worse. I want to be judged on how I lead my life, just Obama should be judged on his performance as a president.

I am not ashamed of being Kenyan. Oh no! I am quite proud. But that is only a label.

How I express myself in my body is what should be judged.