My new identity ...African..

I was given a new identity - African. Am I?

Just came back from  Toastmasters meeting at AZAM Club. It was unusually long, the meeting was over almost at 10.00 pm. We were having coffee at the open place outside the meeting hall. Kym's daughter and I were having a chat. A young guy appeared and stood in front of us. We looked at him questioningly. He introduced himself and asked me," Where are you from?" "India" "Oh, if not for the (he pointed at my forehead - 3rd eye) and your outfit(salwar) it would be hard to believe you are Indian"  Huh? We both looked at him surprisingly. I cleared his doubt, "I am from India, not .........." "Yes, I know." he didn't let me finish my sentence.

I was intrigued.  He said that I looked like African. Interesting! Of course, I do have students-friends from Africa. Have they influenced me?!

Cut the long conversation short - my accent, my complexion, my presentation- the way I carry myself, (I was the General Evaluator)gave him the conclusion.   He continued, more specifically I looked someone from Jamaica or Yemen..etc. He said I look fairer for South Indian but not so fair to be a North Indian. Really? I wish he could visit India once.

We were just talking and in the middle of the conversation Alex joined and called me white Indian.

There is no big deal in me being an African or Indian or whatever. It doesn't make any difference as long as I am human, in every sense of its word.