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Two Reposts: Culture Shock: A Maasai Woman's America and A Newcomer's September 11 Experience by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Two of my favorite stories featuring one of my favorite ADULT characters, M'buti Moore-Sormiento.
The first one, "Culture Shock: A Maasai Woman's America" was the first story I wrote about her, and the second one is her feelings about September 11, 2001. *WARNING* The second story has explicit language; the second story is NOT for the kiddies; so this will probably be posted in the Adult section. Sorry about that!
~~Karen Lynn. :D
I.
Culture Shock: A Maasai Woman's America
I remember it all so well.
I was born in Thika, a little village in Kenya, Africa, that is northeast of Nairobi, but I came to America because I wanted to become a teacher to small children.
I remember when I first stepped from the plane: the sights, sounds, and smells were nothing like what I had experienced back in my little village. For one thing, the DIVERSITY of people: the way they talked or dressed. Or even looked. Also, there were so many sounds and smells. It was all SO confusing...
But I knew I had to come to America to better my lot in life. Back in Kenya I raised cattle for a living, and I was getting over an ugly arranged marriage--let alone, the death of my husband, Lengoni, who had been killed by a marauding lion. It was just as well: Lengoni treated me very badly. Also, there were no educational opportunities for women, especially me, seeing Father was so dead set against it.
I was also angry at Father. He wanted me to remain in Kenya, wanted me to retain my Maasai ways. I wanted to become a teacher. Father called me a fool; he said the water people [white people] were too much of an influence on me and my thinking. I got mad and left in a huff. I wasn't ABOUT to listen to a skinny old man who thought he knew everything: I, M'buti Moore, was in control of my destiny!
Now here I am--in America.
That was almost four-and-a-half years ago.
My life really hasn't gotten much better; I sometimes wonder if I have made a terrible mistake. For one thing, my health's suffered. Terribly. I have been in and out of hospital and must use sticks (crutches) or a wheel chair because I had been burned and now carry terrible scars. I also got sick with flesh-eating disease and lost an incredible amount of weight. I am painfully skinny: I look like I have ukimwi [AIDS] and am so weak a lot of the time.
But in a way my life HAS gotten better. I am now married (it is soon to be 3 years come September) to a WONDERFUL man named Roberto Sormiento, and we now have a BEAUTIFUL little boy named Jubaki. Jubaki looks just like me. He also has his daddy's smile and dimples. He is the sweetest little child!!
But in my heart I carry much sadness. Besides my poor health, I also carry the memory of my parents. Father and Mother [their names were M'baki and N'gaire Moore] were killed by gunfire. They were at the bank, getting money to go back to Africa, and kids with guns started shooting and they killed my parents. I can't talk about it now without crying: my eyes are wet now just thinking of htis...they never got to see their grandchild be born, never got to hold him, never got a chance to love him...
But I know in my heart I MUST remember my Maasai ways. I can't raise cattle in the city, but I still dress like the Maasai, and I still eat traditional Maasai and East African dishes. I also continue to speak Maa [Maasai language] and Swahili in addition to English. I still believe in Engai, but I don't talk of Engai much because here in America people believe in Jesus, so I must try to believe like the Americans and believe in this Jesus. It's hard, though...
Someday I hope to return to Kenya, and I hope to take little Jubaki there. I want him to know that he is half Maasai, and I want him to learn of my Maasai ways. That way, he'll have the best of BOTH worlds.
And I want him to see the cheetahs.
II.
A Newcomer's September 11 Experience
It has nearly been 8 months since that terrible Tuesday back in September, the day America was attacked. I don't think I'll ever forget it--
I was at home, watching television, waiting for my husband, Roberto, to come home from his job at the hospital, and a breaking news bulletin ensued. It had ben reported that "a small plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings". The channel then switched to the scene, and yes--there it was, live. One of the World Trade Center buildings was now on fire.
Suddenly, as I was watching this unfold, here came another plane, and--IT HIT THE OTHER WORLD TRADE TOWER. There was NO denying it--the guy at the cockpit had evil in his heart--he DELIBERATELY ran the plane into the tower.
AMERICA HAD BEEN ATTACKED. IT WAS A TERRORIST ATTACK.
At the sight of it all, I began screaming, and Jubaki started crying. Why? Because of my friend, Stephanie Green. Stephanie WORKED at the South Tower. I then called my friend, Miss Louisiana, at her work, and she was crying, too: she had seen the events on television as well while on her break. I then heard the front door open. It was Roberto.
Upon seeing him I got my crutches, and I went to him, where he then held me tight in his arms and let me cry. When I told him what had transpired he could not believe it. (He was as upset as I was. After all, we had only been to the World Trade Centers ONE MONTH earlier, TO THE DAY.)
Neither could I. Especially since it ended up that the Twin Towers collapsed an hour later. As a result, Stephanie had been killed.
Those BASTARDS. Those bastards who did this KILLED MY FRIEND. AND FOR WHAT???? THEIR GLORY??
WHY would someone be so full of hate to do such a horrible, evil thing? WHY would they attack AMERICA????? What did WE ever do to THEM to warrent such a hideous attack--ON OUR LAND?????
WHY STEPHANIE???????? WHY DID STEPHANIE GREEN HAVE TO DIE SO SENSELESSLY????
I can't imagine it.
I feel especially sad because I became an American citizen only 2 months and 7 days prior to that terrible Tuesday. I was born in Africa, but I had come to America to try to make something of myself. I loved America, and I especially loved her people. I had made so many wonderful friends. They did their best to try to help me adjust and helped me when I had been so sick. Now here was my first "big event" since getting my citizenship, and it nearly ripped my heart to pieces. I also went to the Twin Towers ONLY ONE MONTH EARLIER.
NOW THEY ARE GONE. FOREVER. AND SO IS MY FRIEND. I AM VERY ANGRY. ANGRY AT THAT DAMN OSAMA BIN LADEN, THE WEASEL!!!!!!
Now it is almost 8 months later since September 11, 2001, and my heart still bleeds for all those innocent people who died at the hands of fanatical madmen. People who DIDN'T deserve such a horrible fate, innocent men and women, even little children. People of ALL faiths and racial backgrounds, but AMERICANS ALL (although I learned later that people from other lands also died along with so many Americans).
May we NEVER FORGET. And may Jesus be Merciful on ALL who were affected.
May Jesus be Merciful on America and her people, and may He make sure that NOTHING like September 11, 2001, NEVER HAPPENS EVER AGAIN!!
"GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN!"
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Reviewed by serenety L
8/14/2003
Karen,
thanks for sharing these beautiful pieces. Masterpieces. I love your work so much. You are gifted. Don't stop writing please.
Warm love
Nico
yes very good and interesting Karen. I was born here and I feel good about my country. I don't consder myself African. I'm a negro American. So I endeavor to make our home a better one regardless of all the fools and problems. However history will repeat itself, it always does as long as there is evil in the world. love you G
Here is a message that came to me...but was meant for you..silly AD mailing that is so damn mixed up..her goes>>>
Hi Karen, I just wanted to let you know that my new website is up and running, and I was hoping that you might like to take part. In addition to my kids books, I will be posting children's poems and stories. I would love to see some of your work. Eventually, I will be having contest and publishing children's stories. Please come by! Oh, - and please tell your friends! :) www.dreamscapepublishing.com Thanks, Jim Corbin Managing Editor Dreamscape Publishing - from Jim Corbin
Hope it's okay putting it here..before it lands up in the wrong mail box again!!
Love Tinka
Reviewed by Kate Clifford
8/13/2003
Thank you for such an incredible sharing. You have a gift for sharing with us the heart of your characters. Great write.
A poignant story about letting go of a narcissist in your life. Have you ever been attacked FULL force by a narcissist? It's the closest thing to being stabbed over and over in the back.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
