the white entitlement.

vacation mode?

The white entitlement travels throughout seas. Through thousands of miles at a rate of impatience like no other. It screams ownership over bodies that have not derived from their own personal wombs. Over lands that have existed way before generations of their descendants did. The white entitlement even demands dictatorship over how we find God. Desecrated life paths over war, sullied on the importance of spirit, and minimized the abundance of nourishment that flows out of the earth’s tit. The white entitlement is a deep, deluded, mass hysteria.

As, I sit on this resort, I can’t help but feel guilt. Coming to a land where people cannot harbour their own rightfully owned fruits. Where I am enabling in imperialism. I might not be the mitochondria of this ecosystem, but I indeed navigate as atleast a cell. It’s such a breaking of the fourth wall moment, when you realize you benefit off the backs of exploitation, but a well needed reflection nonetheless. As long as we are operating from a capitalistic system, someone will be exploited. I understand that. So, with knowing that, I try to treat the resort workers with the respect they deserve, which is basic human decency.

To give context, all the workers are Afro-Latinx.

Blessed with bronze skin that is sun-kissed by Mrs. Sol herself. If you stared long enough you would be able to see her glistening in the reflection of each skin follicle. But that’s besides the point. Most of the guests here are white.

I’ve watched guests get angry that some workers only speak Spanish even though we are in a Spanish speaking country. I’ve witnessed multiple groans, sighs and headshakes made in the name of inconvenience. White entitlement strikes again. Or in this case, ethnocentrism. We all hold it inside, regardless of race. It’s the belief that our cultures way of thinking is the best way of life. Nationalism is not necessarily a bad thing, I believe we should all find pride in where we come from. It only becomes a hinderance when you start to believe everyone should adhere to your values. How deluded are we?

I feel a sort of maternal instinct when it came to the resort workers. Being Black is so interesting, because no matter where you are in the world, we are going to bond over the fact we are the only Black people in the vicinity (well this actually depends on both individuals relationship with scarcity mindset). But overall, I got excited every time I seen my brothers and sisters. I’m grateful for the collective responsibility we have over each other.

Maybe that’s my martyr spirt speaking, or maybe empathy? Kinship? I just felt the white entitlement. So, with that, I ache in the bellows of imperialism and accept the fact I am the acid as well. Complacent, but aware. Envious of those who can stay ignorant.

With love,

Lolade