Blog 2
I grew up in Europe. My family, friends, school mates, in fact the entire community, was white. Only at the weekend market twenty miles away did I see people of other races. The traders were Indian or Pakistani. As a child I often wondered where these "different" people lived because they came into town and set up their stalls and when the market closed they packed up again and disappeared.

When I was eighteen I moved to London. The BIG city. I took a boat and bus to get there and arrived at Victoria Station in central London on a swelteringly humid August afternoon. My aunt was there to meet me. I remember we walked out of the station and I silently questioned myself "What have I done? How come there are so many colored people here? Where are the white people? Is this a safe move?"

I quickly found my way around and lived in flats in neighborhoods like Brixton, Finsbury Park and Harlsden. Both Brixton and Finsbury Park were predominantly Black neighborhoods and Harlsden mostly Indian.

My family worried about me but I quickly learned to be wise to my surroundings whether in my local neighborhood, on the tube or walking along fashionable Regent Street. Because I had such limited exposure to people of other races prior to arriving in London I was initially cautious (maybe even afraid). What is unknown is scary. Soon though, through work and community, I began to meet wonderful people of all races.

I'd like to think, that when I meet someone new, I don't see their color or ethnic background but instead their personality and character.