It is a pity……………………………….

“There is always going to be an overreaction to your presence whether good or bad.”

– Chris Rock on HBO’s "The Black List:Volume One" (25th August 2008)


I have decided that I don’t want to risk any further harassment, embarrassment and indignities via ISIS (under the auspice of God only knows) at the airport, so I will not cross the pond to attend Islam Expo in London; and for the time being I will curtail my international travels.

Being escorted from the exit of a plane and then questioned by ISIS about my personal life and belief system.......really is not the done thing in America.
I must say that I am confused, bewildered and vexed by the treatment that, me an American has received. The aggressive manner in which I have continually been approached was un-necessary and I think unproductive. I should feel protected by the agencies that now invoke fear in me. I don’t understand what is happening in my country, and my heart is broken.

My wanderlust that was satiated by globetrotting (such as it was) will have to be met by watching BBC news (well all things BBC), Prime Minister’s Questions, reading international papers and staying in touch with the various UK feminists groups that mean so much to me. My life of international travel for the time being is done, and perhaps that was what this was all about?

Thank you London for teaching me that I am not only an American, but a citizen of the world………………………….I will always reach out to London and I hope that London will continue to reach back to me (albeit a 4,000 mile stretch). And though I no longer feel safe encountering immigration in my country of birth I will always, always love London for its pulse, drive and complexity.

London is the gateway to the world. And the world is messy, complicated and filled with a myriad of people and ideologies that are at times downright frightening and scary…………………………………….However London has also taught me that the world is also filled with a myriad of people who don’t look or talk or think like me yet the world is a better place for their existence.

In London I have met feminists from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Northern England and from the capital. I have met feminists who were financially destitute. I have met feminists who are wealthy and Oxford educated. In London I have met Gay and Lesbian activists, animal rights activists, children’s activists. I have met men and women fighting good, non-violent struggles for the betterment of all. In London I have met refugees with life stories that have brought tears to my eyes………………………………………..

Then there are my less socially conscious reasons for loving London. And I have to say it is so totally cool being a vegan in London…………………………………………….even a Muslim one with Catholic leanings. And who knew finding Halal, vegan food was so easy in Russell Square. Then there is the window shopping. I cannot afford to shop until I drop in London, but I can afford to board the tube with my Oyster card in hand and window shop the streets of Knightsbridge.

There is perfection on this planet and it can be found in the crowded, congested, hectic, wealthy, struggling, beautiful, dirty, pristine, historic, forward thinking, traditional, religious, secular city called London.

London you totally rock. May your citizens and protectors realize the truly special place that you are………………………………And may I again have the privilege to hear an Heathrow Airport Immigrations officer at terminal 4 (or 5) ask, "Madam what is the purpose of your trip?"

Needless to say my heart is consumed with love for London. I love you London. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Allah above knows that I love London.

Well this Negro is out.

Cheers,


Debra
American/Black/Muslim/Catholic/Feminist/Anglophile/Vegan


“There is always going to be an overreaction to your presence whether good or bad.”

– Chris Rock on HBO’s "The Black List:Volume One" (25th August 2008)