An Unexpected Experience of Racism Abroad
For a Moroccan young girl, a study-abroad program in the Netherlands is an eye-opening experience. It was the case for me, until I encountered a particular person.
The idea of coming to this beautiful country came across my mind one year ago. I have always loved Holland, its people and the Dutch language… and thought it was the best country in the world. Plus, some Moroccan classmates of mine came to Holland the previous years in order to study constructive journalism; and all they shared with me are beautiful feedback… they actually confirmed the ideas I had in mind before experiencing them myself.
I arrived here last January, and made friends instantly… even my teachers are amazing, I feel like we are a family.
One day, I was playing basketball in Zwolle with some international students. A Dutch boy came to me and realized in a couple of seconds that I am not European. He said: “Where are you from?”, I replied politely: “I am Moroccan”. And right after that, his face expressions changed. Then he asked me: “What are you doing here?” his voice tone was a little bit bizarre. I said: “I am studying journalism”. He said: “Hm, interesting, and when will you leave?”
This question was a little bit weird; I do not know him and I am not intending to stay here forever. Besides, I would never ask a person this kind of questions…
I replied again, politely: “for six months, give or take”.
Then he said: “Do you know Geert Wilders?”, I said: “Yes, I do”. He laughed and said, “Oh, you will not get the joke.” I still do not know what that joke is!
Then we stopped talking because we had to start the game. Then he started interviewing Aya, my Moroccan roommate.
« J »: Are you Moroccan as well?
Aya: Yes, why?
« J »: I do not know; you look Spanish if you ask me… Never mind, is it safe in Morocco? For I know Moroccans are not good and can steal people.
Aya: Do not generalize, bad people are everywhere.
« J »: You do not have clean water in your country, do you?
Aya: What do you think? Am I dead right now?
« J »: No. It is not clean, I am sure if I drink it, I would get sick. And do you wear a headscarf? You are not wearing right now. Oh, you only wear it in your country, right? And seeing as you are alone here and free, you do whatever you want!
Aya: Not at all, you are mistaken.
« J »: Is it safe to go for a trip in Morocco?
Aya: Yes.
« J »: Will Moroccans rob me, or insert a knife in my stomach?
Aya: What a lame joke. Is this the image you have of us? Africa is one of the richest continents in the world. Again, I know that some Moroccan people who live here do terrible things and sell drugs. However, you do not have the right to generalize and think that we are all the same.
Honestly, it was a horrible experience because that boy seems intelligent… I could not play basketball like usual; I was shattered and, on the verge to pour all the tears of my body. I was asking myself, why does that happen to Moroccans? Are we all terrible? I know that my friend and I are not perfect but we do not deserve to be treated that way.
Fortunately, all of our friends defended us and said beautiful things about our country. J felt bad afterwards and left us.
After that sad day, we got along with amazing Dutch friends. They are all lovely and invite us to their place every once in a while to discover this beautiful country and taste its delicious food.
