Bonus points if you know what song that's from...
I just came from a dress/ scarf/ etc store near my house. I wanted to get another shirt similar to one I already had. So I go in and I see these really pretty dresses. Long, loose fitting, real African looking dressing (yeah, I said it). So I figure I'll get one of these. I keep unfolding them and holding them up to my body but they're too long. The sales person is trying to help me find one that's short enough for me, but they're essentially all the same length. She holds the dress up against herself and tries to convince me that it's shorter. She says, "Try it on." I say, "It's the same length as the other one". She says, "It won't be as long because you're fat".
End scene.
Most people who know me know that I struggle with my weight. It is what it is. So, to hear at least once a month that I'm fat, doesn't help. In any way. I know I'm plus sized. I wear clothes that look good on me and I'm working out. So why, Ethiopia, do you have to point it out? I've never had it said in such a way that is so unsolicited. Once, in Kenya, my friend's brother asked if I would be okay walking to this school in the bush. I said "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He says "Because you're fat". Still stung, but at least I opened the door for that. I've gotten the unsolicited, out of the blue "You're fat".
Ethiopian: "Oh do you like Ethiopian food?"
Me: "Yeah, I really enjoy Ethiopian food."
Ethiopian: "Most faranjis (foreigners) don't like it. They say it's too spicy".
Me (thinking it's probably that they don't like having the runs): "No, I love Ethiopian food. It's not too spicy".
Ethiopian: "Maybe if you eat more Ethiopian food you'll lose weight".
Who says this? Other Africans at least frame it like it's a good thing. Like "Oh, you're shaped like our women". Not Ethiopians. It's said with suggestions of how I might go about not being fat anymore (cause who wants to be fat, right?) I was told by my Amharic teacher that Ethiopians don't think it's rude to say such things. They point out skin color, size, height....they are all about physical characteristics. I was told that they called dark Ethiopians "barro" which means 'slave' but is usually used now as a term of endearment (allegedly). My teacher tried to equate it with 'nigger'. I gave him the blank face. Black in the US of A don't walk around calling people 'nigger' based on their skin tone. Imagine a white person calling a Black person 'nigger' like it's a damn term of endearment. Not happening. Anyway, all about physical characteristics. And no shame. NO SHAME. I had the man at the immigration counter ask me if I was American then proceed to tell me I was big and fat. After I asked him to repeat himself twice, he stuttered and said "Big and fat. Physically.....but it's a good thing". Would I be big and fat spiritually? Is my aura obese? I would think that a country that has a international reputation for famine, hunger, and drought, would not be so hung up on being skinny? Do you WANT people to think the famine is still going on? Yes. I think they're hating. That food insecurity got 'em messed up so anybody who looks like they get regular meals just gets fistfuls of hate (just kidding).
Alright. I'm done here.
The overweight lova's in the house.
No comments:
Post a Comment