I came to this country as a refugee in 1990, at the time of recession and when foreigners where a rarity. As a result, we had become a “Somali shock” overnight. It was common at the time to hear racial slurs, to wake up to the sounds of “perkele”, to drink tea to “mutakuono” and to dance to “vitun neekeri”. People would stop to gawk on the streets, kids yelling “look mommy, a nigger”. Grandmothers would ambush me in the swimming hall shower and scrub me down, hoping to wash the color off. Others, after a few pints, would come over to touch my hair and make inappropriate propositions. I went from being an individual, with aspirations, feelings and rights, to a degraded sub-human: a “mud face”, “nigger”, “whore”, and “social loafer”.
Category: Fadumo Dayib
Fadumo Dayib: Rape is a frequent occurence in Somalia, here, rape is normal
Fadumo Dayib Somalia: Women Shouldn’t Live in Fear of Rape According to this HRW report published last month, ” The UN reported nearly 800 cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Mogadishu alone for the first six months of 2013, although the actual number is likely much higher. Many victims will not report rape and sexual…
Fadumo Dayib: To research, or not to research Somalis, is the question
I am here today to reflect on being the other, on othering. I am not here as a PhD student from this University but as an activist, a blogger and as your research object. Read full essay here. The previous presenter raised a very important point that activism does not put bread on your table….
Fadumo Dayib: The Cannibalistic Clan Club aka CCC
Fadumo Dayib Caraweelo, both fists raised in defiance, body contorted in mockery and eyes wide open with belligerence, burst into this world with a single, loud, blood-curling scream. Her kin, upon seeing the jewel between her legs, drew back with disgust and disappointment, all the while murmuring verses of protection. A few old men, scared…
Fadumo Dayib: Don’t worship my hurt feelings for the road to FGM is paved with good intentions
Fadumo Dayib There is an angry mob ready to lynch. They’re gathering force, leaping over barriers, ululating, and blindly bulldozing civility in their wake. The drummers, hunched over the “SOS” drum, thumps out an angry condescending rhythm, rivers of sweat and recriminations running down their livid face. The steady drumming picks up pace, urging the…
Fadumo Dayib: Go suck on some oranges
Fadumo Dayib Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself. ? Harvey Fierstein Read full story here. Rant coming your way. Welcome deranged internet fascists. I’ve been expecting you and oh boy aren’t you so predictable. Come out from behind your computer….
Fadumo Dayib: Run, Nigger, Run
Fadumo Dayib I came to this country as a refugee in 1990, at the time of recession and when foreigners where a rarity. As a result, we had become a “Somali shock” overnight. It was common at the time to hear racial slurs, to wake up to the sounds of “perkele”, to drink tea to…
Fadumo Dayib: Juokse, Nekru, Juokse
Fadumo Dayib Saavuin tähän maahan pakolaisena vuonna 1990, keskelle lamaa, aikana jolloin ulkomaalaiset olivat harvassa. Somalishokki toteutui yli yön. Tavan takaa kuulin rasistisia heittoja, heräsin ”perkele”-sointuihin, join teeni ”mutakuonona” ja tanssin ”vitun neekeri”-biisien tahtiin. Ihmiset pysähtyivät kadulla tuijottamaan, lapset kiljahtelivat ”kato äiti neekeri”. Isoäidit hyökkäsivät kimppuuni uimahallin suihkussa yrittäen pestä pois väriäni. Muutaman tuoppin rohkaisemina toiset tulivat koskettelamaan hiuksiani…