When I was a young girl, I was an anglophile. This was a strange way of being for me since I was a working class African-American in the Midwest. My anglophilia manifested itself in my love of 80's British pop music (especially Culture Club & Wham), my love of British magazines (Smash Hits, The Blitz, & The Face), the EastEnders soap opera, and my longing to see London. My family was somewhat supportive of my anglophilia since it harmless and didn't disrupt any important aspects of my life.
A little late in my teenage years, I verged into francophilia. After viewing photos of Paris, I thought the French definitely had some secrets up their sleeves because it is such a beautiful city. (Please note that I didn't dwell on the fact that the British & French were huge colonizers.)
I eventually grew out of these phases. However, the phile in me came back in a major way when I got interested in India. Of course, I became an indophile. But I always had a problem being an indophile because it didn't sit well with my innate afrocentric tendencies. I don't think I'm an overt afrocentric person but it is in me. I stopped being a huge indophile after traveling around India (I think I got it out of my system!).
After traveling around South Africa and Mozambique, I became enamored with the continent of Africa. Now I want to see it all! And I'm formulating a plan to visit the western and eastern regions of Africa in the next several years. I feel like my African interests are a better fit with my identity as a person of African descent. But the truth is that I'm still an indophile and anglophile at heart. I also have a touch of japanophile in me after spending two years living there.
In the end, the only way I can make sense of all of this is to embrace the identity of an internationalist. I think this word will allow me to acknowledge all of the places which I feel intimately drawn to no matter what cultural, ethnic, religious, or racial differences may exist.
I loved East Enders when i was in college. I still look forward to visiting London. I think you're really fortunate to have seen as much of the world as you have already. Can't wait to read about your trek through Africa.
Posted by: Quel | December 25, 2006 at 08:43 PM
I miss all my cousins:(
Posted by: Cousin_Ryumi | December 02, 2006 at 07:45 AM
anyone able to sing over to chi town??? I'm stuck here until April (when I get off work probation period)...
Posted by: ChicagoDiva | November 30, 2006 at 10:15 PM
Great blog post! i have a new found obsession of blogging, but im not sure that has a name!
Diane Corriette
Posted by: Diane Corriette | November 28, 2006 at 04:55 AM
Fuck's sake Jimmy, you were the one who kipped in the prison for a whole week. We didn't even last there five minutes and you think you're "higher standard"? Me thinks not!
PS we are still coming to visit you BTW and you are over due a visit to Euroville, or are you too classy to visit?
Posted by: Cousin_Ryumi | November 23, 2006 at 02:49 PM
I think you are a true and fit internationalist. I want to be one, but in a higher standard way.
Posted by: Sexxy Jimmy | November 15, 2006 at 04:35 PM