Into the frying pan!

I finally moved into a permanent apartment! Yay! I have a maid, my own bathroom and cable- yes I was a bit shocked, especially because its not that expensive. I can even walk to class, which is a blessing considering the traffic is horrendous.

I've also started classes- which has been interesting. I'm actually not sure if I am physically signed up for these courses, because the registration for foreign students is really complicated. However, I am taking a course with a visiting Professor from Brazil, which I truly LOVE! The class in on Social movements and race in Brazil. Since I am in the class, we attempt to center the discussion on the development of race in Brazil, Colombia, and the US (coincidentally the three countries with the largest populations of afro-descendents). Its really cool, and gives me an opportunity to see the development of racism in new perspectives. 

The other two classes are almost the same thing, but not really. Under the guidance of my Research Director I am doing a sort of internship with a University Working Group that is centered on Race, Identity, Social Inclusion, and Inequality. I work on my research and participate in all of the events and projects of the Working group. The other class is a Research Methods class, of which my Research Director leads. 

Why am I undertaking so much work? Well, if you're not in a PhD program during your Fulbright, you are required to take at least 3 classes...I think they should amend the rule a little. Especially because you have to do it all as soon as you get here, in the case of Colombia, because we leave before the next semester ends. C'est la vie. 

In other news, I've joined a women's group that meets on Saturdays to share experiences on what it means to be Black and Female. Currently we are exploring the issue of stereotypes, and me being the gringo, I have to bring information about stereotypes from the US. 

My time in Colombia has been filled with several lessons (yes it has, I know I've only been here for 3 weeks), especially the lesson in patience. But my spirit has sincerely been enriched through my contacts with other Afro-Colombians and the Professor from Brazil. I  am working on developing a more interesting essay about this, but there is something really grasping about the connectivity and relationships between groups of afro-descendents in the Americas. Although I was not a history major, every time I listen to perspectives from Blacks here, my mind jumps to my experiences and my Afro-American History class in High School (taught by an American-Polish person- it was great!). What were the processes of integration in Colombia? In the US? What did it mean to be an ex-slave in Colombia vs. the US? What is the notion of pride in the Afro-Latino community?

Yes I know its totally random, but these things are swimming around my mind...I will find a better way to express myself. 

Today I was mistaken for an Afro-Colombian from Chocó! I was so happy.