Funny how memories sneak up on you as you are trying to focus on something else. As I try to focus on proofreading – a memory keeps nagging. So I give up and write about it instead. My passion – besides everything else - has been understanding cross-cultural interaction – and the role of power - definitely born of the years living under Apartheid. I have been involved in international aid cooperation for many years – including the training of expatriate staff for assignment abroad – as a small peg in a very big wheel. It has been fascinating to see that even the training itself embodies negative stereotypes about people in partner countries. You just have to attend some “Aid conference” in Sweden today – to realize that this is still alive and kicking. This happened some time ago. One of the training sessions was a simulation exercise based on the earthquake in Peru – many years ago. The aim was to provide basic training in handling emergency aid. There is a buzz of excitement and the stage is set – and roles are taken on. Personalities change as feelings of power and emergency envelope the setting. I am given the role of the Minister of Health in Peru. I take to it like a fish to water. I am from a Third world country, I am trained as a health professional in a Third World country and I have worked in emergencies. Soon the criticism piles on me. Apparently I am not playing the role correctly. The leader of the exercise comes to me looking desperate and clearly irritated: “You are not playing the role correctly. You are playing the part of someone from Peru – a Third World country – you must be more incompetent and more corrupt”. I say “I am from a Third World country – you are the one playing a role”. He does not get it and never did. That was my last participation in this bs – I never allowed myself to be part of blowing up white western racist egos in this way again! Corruption and incompetence is not in the genes – assumptions of that is what we call racism!
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:03:57 +0000