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| Photo taken by: Melissa Hogeboom |
At first I didn’t even realize they were oranges, mainly because the only oranges I’d ever seen or had for that matter have been, well …orange! Then the way in which it is eaten is unlike I’d ever seen or had; the peel is skinned off with a knife, keeping the pith layer still covering the fruit, then a small piece is cut off the top and the opening is then used to consume the orange by squeezing it to get the juice out. Yet, it still tastes like an orange because, well …it is an orange, regardless of the way it is eaten or the colour of its peel.
Would I have stopped and gave the same quizzical glance if what looked like an orange was a few shades lighter or darken? Probably not. Would I have stopped because it was being cut in a bizarre manner? More than likely. Would I have stopped and enquired because it was a different colour and being peeled using a different method? Absolutely! Curiosity of the unknown is human nature.
Everyday in Ghana I am reminded that I am different; I am an obroni; I am white, the colour of my skin. Most days, it’s fine; actually the use of the term ‘obroni’ is generally used in a friendly manner. For instance every morning as I walk down from the main road to my office I pass a worksite and every morning without fail I am greeted with “Obroni!!” accompanied by the most enthusiastic smile and wave. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day.
While this particular use, of a term used to refer to someone as a foreigner - clearly distinguishing them because of their outside appearance - is not necessarily unwelcome, at times though its use can also bare an underlining expectation. This is most evident in the unfounded declarations of love and immediate proposals of marriage I blogged about a few weeks back. It is during these forms of distinction, as a result of your outside layer, you just wish to be treated as everyone else.
When something is ‘different’ it catches our eye and we become intrigued. However, what we do about that difference is important, how we view that difference is essential. New experiences and encounters are apart of life. Some people prefer to stay in their comfort zone and not venture too far, and other’s well, they like to try green oranges.
"Be curious, not judgemental." ~ Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
