…does NOT exist! I know this may sound strange, to African Americans in particular but it is true. Afro-Saudis consider them self Saudi and nothing else. They would probably faint if they even knew that I made a distinction here by referring to them as Afro-Saudis. They take what Allah has decreed for them in this life, as just that. Allah’s Decree. There is no concept of blame game. Nobody is keeping them down, they don’t blame ‘the man’, ‘the system’, or ‘slave mentality’. The race card here would be viewed as a sign of weakness.
There is a solidarity between them and tribal Saudis. If they feel they have been mistreated based on their color, they don’t complain about it. I believe to them it would be like putting out your dirty laundry.*
African Americans on the other hand have no problem soliciting sympathy from others. Don’t do that here…you won’t get any. All you will get is a lost of any respect they may have had for you as an American Citizen. You come over here talking about racism and the struggles we as a people have encountered, you will be viewed as a looser. Do not remind them that your people were once slaves. Do not give your Malcolm X conversion story. They will not find it fascinating that you use to be a pimp, drug dealer, and ex-con. Keep it simple and just praise Allah for guiding you to Islam, when asked. Same for the woman…the women will want to here about your sordid past, but don’t tell them about all your babies daddies and explain why all your kids have different last names. Keep it simple and just praise Allah for guiding you to Islam. The African American struggle does not impress them. They will not sympathise with you.
After being asked my nationality once and telling them I am American – to be further questioned on my origins, I thought I would give a little history lesson. I tried to explain that I could not trace my roots the way they could, because of the history of slavery in America and how that also caused mixed races with blacks, whites, and Indians. They couldn’t believe I admitted to having slave blood. I’ve met black Saudis who deny their slave blood. They will tell you that their people came over as carpenters and traders but not slaves…maybe. Whatever reasons they may have, don’t bring your black nationalist mentality over here.*
Anyway, from a comment I made in the last post I just wanted to clarify that there really isn’t a race card to be played here. Everything is Qadr Allah wa masha fa al.
If you have to pull out anything here, let it be your American passport…
*It’s the same with the women here, they do not complain. You hear most of the complaints of so-called oppression coming from the big mouths in the West. You here most of the cries of racism coming from blacks from the west. While there are some who express a desire for change, I dare say the great majority of the weaker citizens (what the west views as weaker) i.e women and blacks, are content with the status quo.
* I’ve actually read on some forums a call for black pride/nationalism in the Gulf. Of course these were non-Gulf blacks making this call, because they don’t feel that the blacks here should acept their plight. Their plight really isn’t that bad.
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Dec 22, 2007 @ 18:27:00
Race card? I find your portrayal of people deciding I DON’T have to accept what is given just because it “might” make me look weak as pathetic. I understand that a lot of people would rather have you shut up and take it so that they feel better about what they are doing, yet I don’t agree.
Letting people know that you will not stand for their substandard treatment is not by any means drumming up sympathy. I could care less if anyone sympathizes with me. I am NOT going to be treated as a second class citizen just for the sake of “going along” with the status quo. And if that is what black Saudis want then great have at it but don’t dare judge others for fighting.
I find that those who want to hide from the past are doomed to continue living in it or repeating it. And maybe that is why the blacks there have to “endure” whatever it is that they endure. Here is the same way, people are too hung up on looking strong which is synonymous with just turning the other cheek and taking whatever is thrown our way.
I guess I don’t understand American blacks nor Saudi blacks as it seems to me that just accepting your “situation” just for the sake of seeming strong is pretty idiotic and doesn’t seem to serve any purpose except to not irritate those doing the subjugating. And then pray that your children fair better than yourselves is just a victim mentality.
Thanks and sorry for the long winded reply.
Dec 22, 2007 @ 23:39:56
I agree with “theblacksentinal” in that one does not have to simply put up with un-Islamic crap in the name of accepting the Qadr of Allah.
With that sort of thinking, we would have still been under Jim Crow. There is a difference between accepting the Qadr and fatalism. “Well, he stole my money, I suppose I have to accept the Qadr of Allah”
I understand that we (Blackamericans) should not project our situation on the “Afro-Saudis” but they (or sometimes *we*) also should not project their situation on ours. The situations are completely different.
Dec 24, 2007 @ 06:14:12
UmmAdam, your blog post hints at the fact that there is a racial subtext that is operative for black Saudis.
It is one of conformity and shame. Hiding one’s slave origins – yes, there was (some say still is) a long-standing slave trade that brought black Africans to the hijaz (Zanzibar was one of the slave market centers)- points to this.
But silence, shame and conformity hasn’t been the only reaction to racism that “black” Arabs have. For example, there are black Palestinians, who (most likely informed by black struggles in North America and Europe) have started speaking explicitly about the racism and oppression they face.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHz7CbOxTV8
I think the prefacing BET history lesson is incorrect and they fail to make explicit that the black Palestinians they speak to are Muslims (they have a Christian perspective).
I’m not suggesting that N. American ways of viewing race be superimposed onto Saudi culture – but just that someone stand up and question the racialized power structure.
Something else that bugged me about the post. I’m a black American, but don’t have any connection with a lot of the stuff you mentioned “baby mamma drama”, Malcolm X conversion, etc. and don’t think that those things are synonymous with being a black American who is Muslim.
BTW, I don’t consider myself a ‘black nationalist’ but do think that Islam is among other things a religion that calls for social reform and justice.
Dec 24, 2007 @ 12:11:04
asalaamu alaikum,
I understand where ummadam is comming from. Spending time in yemen was an eye opening experience to say the least when it dealt with race. The arab people are fascinated, awed i should say by all things white. We hear have went through a process of slavery, self-hatred and re-education with the outcome of acceptance and self-love. They have not done that at all. The TV there is ripe with skin whitening cream commercials depicting the arab girl who has it all, friends love family career because she uses fair and lovely skin whitening cream.
I gave a hour talk to my neighbor trying to explain to her that my black african featured husband is considered strong and handsome in america and the white men love and are fascinated by our women of color. She couldn’t believe it.
Weddings there are horrible in the sense hat you have to sit in horror and watch these beautiful black women spend 45 minutes plastering white pressed powder on their faces, making their skin look grayish dead-like white. And they don’t understand that no, you do not want them to give you a make-over. They have def not surpassed the self hatred stage and re educating them is like teaching a dolphin to be an elephant.
Dec 24, 2007 @ 15:19:40
As-salaamu alaykum,
There is a distinction however among Saudis, as the Saudis who are originally from Kanem Bornu (Bornawees), Fulani/Fulata, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria etc. do not deny their African roots whatsoever. The black Saudis who may be in denial are those who are originally from the Muwaladoon, who have slave origins. Their ancestors were largely those who were kidnapped while on Hajj during the centuries, particularly from the 18th to the early 20th century. These kidnappings obviosuly oppose Islam and in fact King Faisal condemned this and stated that this was not endorsed by Islam whatsoever.
AbdulHaq
Dec 25, 2007 @ 00:13:26
Theblacksentinal, I’m not taking sides. Just pointing out the differences.
Abdur Rahman, exactly…different situations. Wouldn’t want anyone to come over here deluded. In America we love to hear conversion stories. The worse you were in jahiliyah the prouder we are that you are a Muslim. Here, it is simply not like that. This is even somewhat true for white converts, as a white non-Muslim is higher on the pecking scale for some. You may be viewed as backwads from some here for excepting Islam, even though it will validate Islam for others to see Westerners (whites) accept it.
Hafsa, I have never seen a black Philistianian before, but I keep hearing of them. My husband just told me today that he complimented a Palestianian on having large strong hands. In america this is a great compliment, however he said the man was offended and the people later explained to him that he insinuated that the man was made to do manual labor. It’s more than just racism. This part of the world has huge psychology/identity issues. I was watching all the laborers out today and told my husband, “you know in america a garbage man, park district employee, construction worker, etc is considered a good job…people line up for this type of work. Why aren’t these jobs Saudinized?” Because it’s beneath them and considered dishonorable.
Ummie, you have always understood me best! Yes, I’m sure the women wpould be shocked to know that black men, if not black women and highly saught after in the west. Black men are considered strong, masculine, and sexy in the West. Here they are just not considered…
AbdulHaq, you have hit it on the nail. This is my observation as well. However, as you note the Saudis who are orginally from Africa have no problem admitted it. Similar to Africans in America. If you ask an American from Africa what they are, they will tell you with no shame..”I’m Nigerian…” They will almost never tell you American. I don’t blame the other black Saudis for not claiming Africa no more than I could African American s like us,who are the descendants of slaves. However, many of them do not want to admit that they are descendants of slaves. I’ve had black Saudis who have clearly never mixed, tell me their ancesters are Syrian…yes maybe bedoon but their features were pure Sudanese.
Dec 26, 2007 @ 08:14:18
Salaam,
I understand that Prophet (pbuh) had a noble lineage but there is also some thing endearing about the fact that he is descended from Hajar (as).
Also as far as I know there are many in the Jazeera who have slave blood even if they don’t look afro though the fact that for some this will hearken back to pre-Islamic times.
Dec 27, 2007 @ 10:17:11
Negra Sum, Sed Formosa..
I love these words
*smiles*
Dec 27, 2007 @ 16:53:38
Myopic Vision: Girl, you making me go back to my high school Latin. “She is black, but comely”? Am I right?
Dec 28, 2007 @ 02:40:41
Yes 🙂
But remember the sum refers to self
Ego Sum 🙂
So I am Black But I am Beautiful…
Dec 28, 2007 @ 03:54:02
UmmAdam,
Thanks for clarifying (and for posting as you do). I just find this issue so maddening, urgggh. : )
Hafsa
Dec 28, 2007 @ 05:01:11
Because yuv crossed over into living into another culture, you see them as having all these psychological/social issues. Trust me its the other way around. Westerners/Americans to be more particular have alot as well.
For instance, I can’t even give my neighbors a small gift of food where I live in virginia because apparently they don’t ‘really know me’ so I’ve been told not to give food. People won’t eat it etc. There’s this social distrust, this gap between individuals. People are lonely in their lives. Everyone has to be politically correct upfront and then behind closed doors is when they are their real self. I don’t know there’s many other things that I can’t think of right now or put into words but its there.
Dec 28, 2007 @ 17:52:38
Wow, what an intellectual group here at ummadam’s! We get social psychology, the domestic arts, race relations, Krispy Kremes and Latin, all at the same time. That’s what I call ‘one-stop-shopping’. I dig this blog! 🙂
Dec 28, 2007 @ 18:28:50
This discussion has grown deeper than I get…
alwaysred, the whole world has gone mad!
Jan 18, 2008 @ 10:57:31
Ummadam, where can I contact you by email?
Jan 18, 2008 @ 16:00:45
lol Umattiya yur too funny.
actualy now that i read my last comment..i meant here we have issues TOO. not that just we have issues and y’all got none 🙂
This is one thing I fear about going overseas…talking to idiots. What do you mean, I hear you say? well, when you ARE from overseas, meaning you are ethnically something else other than American and you KNOW the mentality of the people cuz you grew up with it within various family freinds/relatives, IDIOTic comments can get under your skin. Verses, If I moved to alaska and had some eskimo hollering at me, it wouldn’t really bother me.
You said ‘the race card here would be viewed as a sign of weakness’. I can completely understand that. If some sister who is a dark-skinned Pakistani started complaining here and there about how dark-skinned people are treated as this or that, she would be viewed as weak and it would be something she’d be doing after putting aside her ego, in that society.
However, that’s also really messed up. cuz i’ve heard of this several times, that dark skinned sisters have a harder time getting married there cuz every single pakistani guy’s mom wants a ‘fair skinned’ maiden including the guy himself, and what not, and can get lots of negative comments all the time about their skin color, even from their own family many times.
Anyway the point is that societally its like wrong to even protest. You just gotta pretend it doesnt get to you, even though every breathing soul can see the bias, and live with it.
the whole world has indeed gone mad 🙂
Mar 17, 2008 @ 07:19:10
You guys should very careful about inquiring into peoples lineages because u r not professionals nor r u have anything to do with other than your origins. I see alot of subliminal contradicions here where u want them to be proud of their presumed origins but u say ” they are negroid looking ” as if this is the requirement to be of slave origins. u guys run a little close to the line in insulting someone because of their lineages because they wont admitt to what some ulooj says. not a considerable number muslims of american origins can not trace to any african or slave. ” ((two things are considered kufr, insulting ones lineage, wailing over the dead))muslim remember allah is teh one who makes lineages “made u into nations and tribes so that u may know one another(join family ties)suratul hujurat. dont dig into that which u have no access. ((The best islam of a person is that he/she leaves that what does not concern him/her))we know generally about history but can u pinpoint it on a single individual. no !!
Mar 17, 2008 @ 16:55:12
Abdul Kareem: Is is haraam to inquire about one’s lineage? Lot’s of African Americans want to know who-was-who and who-came-from-where, because that part of our personal stories was taken from us and erased. I would venture to say that among us it is probably rarely used to bolster any feelings of “superiority”, but rather to feel connected to a specific place and people, to know the stories so they can be passed down to the children. Most of us would like to be able to tell our kids and grandkids more than just “Oh, well your great granddaddy was a slave” and that’s the end of that. All people like to feel good about themselves and their beginnings in a country. As long as it isn’t used to promote some bogus notion of “I’m better than” and it isn’t haram to inquire..simmer down.
Mar 17, 2008 @ 17:53:57
We know what is Qadr Allah wa masha fa al
exist Salver still After 1400 hajer exists in Gulf and Arab world in africa and south Asis.
Im Afro UAE, I have noh I dea where we com from and my family don’t like to know.
The reason I care about now casue wen I travl outside UAE popel ask me what is my backgroung?
Mar 17, 2008 @ 17:56:19
Brother Abdul Kareem Jazaka allah khayr
Jun 01, 2008 @ 07:57:16
inquiring of your own lineage is not my address, I intended your pseudo-scientific way of deducing some elses ancestry just because “you” believe they look a certain way. Your comment, I’m sorry if heared by most mashariqa and maghariba would be considered offensive.
<>I’ve met black Saudis who deny their slave blood. They will tell you that their people came over as carpenters and traders but not slaves…maybe<>
Jun 01, 2008 @ 08:16:16
Lot’s of African Americans want to know who-was-who and who-came-from-where, because that part of our personal stories was taken from us and erased
U kind of ran into a historical-semantic faux pas. The so-called “african-americans” are not a monolithic group as observed via any means. There are social and historical demarkers that are in balance to be designated as a nation(not nation-state), but a nation as in the cherokee nation or the wolof nation etc.. Each and every member who id’s with that group do not suffer from the same dilemna concerning the tracing of one’s lineage.
Jul 05, 2008 @ 02:36:38
First of all, thank you.
Finally someone who understands our plight. My mother is American, however my father is a mixed Saudi: His father is the son of Persian immigrants (considered Saudi now) and his mother is a muwalladiyyah, or the daughter of a “White” Arab father and “Black” Arab mother. Ask her what she is, and it will always be 100% Saudi.
And she’s right.
The Western concept of Race does not exist in Saudi Arabia. It is SOLELY based on your father. As such, in Saudi I am regarded as 100% Persian-descended Saudi. Same for my dad and his brothers and sisters. My grandmother is considered 100% Saudi Arab.
And she is.
Arabness transcends skin color.
Nov 28, 2013 @ 07:33:22
super blog you gots here, thanks a ton for making it available!