Member-only story
You Don’t Have to be White to be an Expat (or an American)
Racism and microaggressions are everywhere
If you live (or have lived ) outside the United States of America or have had the need to visit a U. S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, then you will be very familiar with what I am about to describe.
The building itself is enclosed by tall compound walls that mount even higher grills or barbed wires. The security is tight and you will most likely need an appointment or be clear about the purpose of your visit to gain access to the building.
I surprised myself when I was driving in Cairo, Egypt last year with a tour guide and I looked at such a building and asked if it was the US Embassy. Ha! Bingo!
This story is from the time when we lived in Singapore as expatriates. To give you some context, we are of Indian origin (i.e., we are Brown).
My daughter’s US passport was nearing expiration and I had scheduled an online appointment with the U. S. Embassy to renew her passport. Since she was a minor, both parents were required to be present with the child.
Our appointment was at 9 a.m. and we arrived a bit early at 8:40 a.m. As we approached the entrance the security guard asked, “What time is your appointment?” The literal answer to the question that I…
