CULTURE CLASH (Feature)
Galveston
from the
outside By Honi Alexander
eventually got involved in gardening, politics, and real estate. I am, what I like to call, an outgoing introvert, so when I first attend meetings or gatherings, I stand back to watch and listen. I hang in the periphery. Viewing life from the edges allows for a perspective that is unique in that I see what those deeply involved may no longer see or have never seen. What I noticed is most gatherings, meetings, and groups are generally either predominantly attended by White people or Black people. I rarely see large numbers of Whites at Black-hosted events and vice versa. I have always wondered why. I learned this is generally a topic of discussion within the groups. At one meeting, I was the only Black woman in attendance. After brief introductions, the other women began asking me questions.
I MOVED TO GALVESTON KICKING AND SCREAMING FROM COLORADO. I came here, not out of choice but out of obligation. My parents, specifically, my mother needed me as she was becoming more and more ill. I did make the choice to fulfil my obligation and moved here. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t appreciate the beach. Yet. I couldn’t get used to the heat. Still. I couldn’t see the hidden charm in being a local and I couldn’t yet understand the simultaneous love and loathing for visitors to the island. No, I simply didn’t want to be here. But I was needed, so I made the choice to stop seeing the reasons why I didn’t want to be here, and look for reasons I could love it. I began to dabble in things I found interesting. I became a voter registrar and enjoyed registering voters at Galveston’s Own Farmers Market and other locations around the city. I met many people and 16
One asked: “Is it African-American or Black?” Another: “Why aren’t more of you involved in politics here?” “Why don’t more of you come to our meetings?” I felt like I was supposed to answer for all Black women. I felt like I was being scrutinized and “othered”. Instead of being introduced and asked the general questions about my family, career, etc., I was asked about my race, place of origin, and to answer for all who looked like me. It was uncomfortable. I told them I don’t know and would never speak for all Black women as we don’t all think the same. One said, “You’ll have to forgive us. You can’t grow up here and not get a little on you.” C U LTU R EC L A S H G A LV E STO N . C O M • N OV/ D EC 2 0 2 0
