Life In India as a black girl

India is a beautiful country but can be challenging especially for a black girl. I prefer ending with the good side so I will start with the challenging side.

I came to India in 2008.I was quite excited and ready to discover India, its people, its diversity ,it’s food, it’s languages, it’s music and movies, to embrace a new culture in this land of Mahatma Gandhi.

I was welcomed with things that I was unprepared for like the deep and long stares everyday which was quite uncomfortable. In fact many times I had to psychologically prepare myself for being a tourist attraction every time before stepping out of my door. Many at times I would avoid going out because I didn’t want to be stared at.

Being An African made it difficult to get an apartment in good housing society in Mumbai then. For people in the society where I finally stayed, an African meant a drug peddler. I remember when a Nigerian friend came to visit. The guard took thousands of explanations from us to allow him in, and barely had we sat down, than the whole society collected outside…, and more saddening is the pornographic image of Africans that I felt some people carried in their heads. I can never forget the time that I traveled to deep village of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Where I went to the regional FRO for extension of my provisional student visa. The guy said a big no, and when tried to question for a reason why, He says he could implicate me in a prostitution case, then. That Really left me sad.

I feel like many people don't know about Africans judging from questions I have been asked especially in the villages. Questions like Are all people in your place like you?, Was your hair like that from birth? well that may be okay, not knowing a particular region. But saddening is that even many educated seemed not to know that Africa is a continent and not a country. For many Africa is either Nigeria or South Africa.

In university though the laughing gangs were annoying. I found the majority to be friendly and always made sure I don’t feel out of place. This is one thing that makes your stay easy, knowing that the biggest percentage is the friendly one. Making the unfriendly ones so insignificant , to mind.

So, Despite of the fact that India can be quite challenging, it also has the most beautiful side and the beautiful section of society like my good class-mates then, my friends and family make it fun and Easy.

With time I've come to learn the reasons behind some things that used to make me so uncomfortable. such as the deep stares , the constant casual-kind of interviews, and lots more as I will be telling you in BlackGal In India.

Worth mentioning is the love, care, helpfulness and oneness of the people of Nagpur as whole, It's one place I have loved not only as a place but also the people. From where I stay, the amazing friends I've made, to the streets, Nagpur is a friendly city.

It is said, "Your Life Is a Print-out of your thoughts" if you change your thinking you change your life. It has been 13 years since I first came to India, and my experience in India over years has taught me so much about India, changing my thoughts about India and My Life in India as a whole. Join me travel India as I tell my story as a black girl in India and how I deal with the challenges and enjoy the beauty side of it, in my “Black gal in India series”/ Playlist on Talk on print channel here https://bit.ly/talkonprint

Spey