My Global Study Experience in Dubai

Strong Self-Image Key to Negotiating in Distant Cultures

By Brittney L. Huntley

Last year, as a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, I decided to live and study abroad as part of the university’s Global Studies Program. I chose Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which many of my fellow students may have never heard of. Dubai is one of seven emirates (a federation of independent states, ruled by an emir) that make up the United Arab Emirates, located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE is a desert country about the size of South Carolina and is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf of Oman. The UAE boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Ten years ago, Dubai consisted of sand and very poor Bedouin people who lived nomadic lives, and depended mostly on marine life to feed their families. Today, Dubai has considerable wealth and economic stability because of its oil and tourism industries, mainly tourism. Some call Dubai the “Las Vegas” of the Middle East because of its extravagant architecture and fabulous lifestyle. Dubai is home to expatriates from all over the world. Its diverse population encourages international cooperation on both corporate and cultural levels.

As a result of my experience in Dubai, I have a new perspective of the Middle East and Islam. Based on my knowledge and experiences, I challenge other African-American students and people of the world to redirect their attention to the things that matter most in terms of our being respected globally. Most of us are a part of the working class, and may feel that we have little time for politics and traveling abroad. Many of us are uninterested in international affairs. But, what if I told you that as an African-American woman, I was labeled, sexually harassed, and constantly defending myself against negative stereotypes of African Americans in Dubai, due to the negative influence of rap music and U.S. television? Because of the extensive use of the word “nigga” by African-American rap artists, comedians, and TV programs that supposedly characterize the “hood,” I found that this word is now a part of the daily conversation of Arabs and Africans in various parts of the globe. Ignorance and stereotypes are inescapable and widely spread, negatively affecting individuals and in some cases entire races. The lack of understanding about African-American people was so great that I created a history project identifying history’s most awakening civil rights movements, drawing on similarities between world leaders, while shining light on the history and culture of African Americans.

The “N” Word

While in Dubai I met Mohammed, an Ethiopian Muslim, and others who had adopted much of the African-American rap culture. Mohammed’s clothing, speech, and demeanor all reflected that he admired rap videos. Mohammed, the Emirati (natives of the UAE) and other expatriates regularly greeted themselves and me with the word “nigga,” which was very offensive to me. I hated Mohammed’s obsession with the word. He used it in his daily conversation, when he would greet me, and especially during basketball games. I understand why he thought the basketball court was the proper setting for its use, but I asked Mohammed where he learned “nigga”. He said that when he lived in South Central Los Angeles, the Blacks taught him to differentiate between the words “nigga” and “nigger,” which would determine whether or not you offend an African American. “Nigga” is jargon for “nigger,” therefore; many Blacks feel that “nigga” is less offensive. How sad that my African brothers would think that calling me such a name would be acceptable to me!

I Love Black People

While in Dubai, I also met a young white woman from Brown University. It seems that in all our encounters she could only use rap music to initiate conversation. She explained how she lived in wealthy upper Rhode Island. Her brother lived in the southern area, where he was frequently robbed and now had a racist perspective of Blacks. She said that most of her encounters with Black people were positive and that she “absolutely loved us.” While at the computer lab, she opened Windows Media Player and presented her collection of Biggie Smalls albums and Tupac downloads. I never corrected her for her limited interest in who I was as a person. Truthfully, I was so shocked at how insensitive and limited her interactions were with someone like me, that I forgot to get angry.

The History Presentation

While in Dubai, I confronted my history professor about her unreasonable grading system and biased perspective of Americans. In addition to her making negative references to the United States, she applied different, higher standards to American students than to those who were local. When I met with her, concerned I not could expect to earn a fair grade, I agreed to write two research papers and create a presentation on Middle Eastern history in order to pass the course. At this point, I had experienced the positive and negative messages music can convey and the stereotypes that are generated, resulting in a real distortion of our true image and culture in this part of the world. I felt compelled to defend my honor as an African-American woman against the negative images of us in the Middle East, as characterized in the images of rap artists and their degrading lyrics. I am proud to be an African American, but I am very disappointed at how little our people actually know or care about our history, and how little of our true culture is positively depicted in the Middle East. Music is a powerful source of communication, with the power to distort or destroy the reputation of individuals and even an entire race. I felt compelled to speak up about these distortions.

My Message

My presentation was entitled, “Awakening Civil Rights Movements in History.” I welcomed this opportunity to shatter stereotypes. I introduced the African-American people as major contributors in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-1960s: We inspired people worldwide to fight for not only civil rights, but human rights. I drew on comparisons between world leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of Indian independence Mohandas Gandhi, and Egyptian president and statesman Gamal Abdel Nasser. I wanted the students to know that the Civil Rights Movement began with the African-American people of the South. The students were interested and attentive, as was my professor; they respected me for my knowledge and dignity, and therefore gained respect for my people. I encouraged the students to seek a better understanding of African-American people and our history and who we really are, without relying on negative images depicted in the media. I received an “A” in the course.

My Learning

My experiences in Dubai were so challenging that I needed time to process the educational benefit once I returned to the United States. This article gives me a chance for reflection. I feel proud of myself for turning what could have been a negative experience into a positive one. I learned to negotiate and stand up for myself among strangers, alone in another part of the world. I feel empowered by my strength in overcoming adversity through my faith in God and by conveying the dignity of my people that my parents instilled in me. The power to change attitudes and minds is important to me. I have decided to make it my life’s work. On reflection, this awareness has finally made my Middle Eastern experience truly worthwhile.

Brittney L. Huntley is a junior at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in International Affairs. Photos courtesy of Brittney L. Huntley; title graphic by Brandon K. Parker / Insignia Design Associates.