E. Rae Barnes

Safe Place

We all have those moments. Those times where we just can’t keep it together and need a safe place to think, feel, or just plain breakdown. Before Morocco, that was always a physical place for me, usually my bedroom. If I’m in the fetal position on my bed, or bedroom floor, you know I’m really going through it.

However, as with almost everything in my life, I had to adapt when I came to Morocco. Between strict security protocols and my obviously different physicality, I was constantly stared at and watched. I never really felt alone, even in my own house, even in my own room. And for me, being vulnerable in front of an audience has always been difficult. Add the cultural expectations and need to carefully maintain my reputation to effectively do my job, and you can see why vulnerability never seemed like an options.

My safe place became my fellow volunteers. I could finally give to thoughts and emotions the time and space they deserved. I could be the “American Emilie” without fear of repercussions or judgement. I could talk politics and give hugs. Those moments of safety felt better than any safe place in America.

America the beautiful

The word “America” gets thrown around a lot. It can refer to a country, a continent, a landscape, a people, a culture, etc. All of those things can be beautiful, but the most beautiful thing is that America is all of those things. The diversity of America is one of its greatest, and often overlooked, strengths.

This is something that Moroccans often struggled to understand, but it was so second-nature to us. We were a stronger team because of our differences as it gave us different approaches to problem solving and led to many new experiences (I will never take the diversity of food in America for granted again!). In the end, the most beautiful thing about America will be its people…your average American.