It has been exactly six month, since I moved back home to Greece specifically Athens.In this duration, I have been racially attacked that I even stopped caring. My post is not about negativity or nagging and playing the victim.
I love Athens, I am Adeola born in Nigeria, raised in more than 5 countries of the world. I have been lucky to have lived and travel to more place than some of my peers. I am not defined by my nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual identity. The luck of been raised by the most incredible family, who have deposited love and respect for others in me is worth cherishing.
I work for an organisation where we sweat day and night to fight against racism, discrimination, abuse of human rights, social injustice and the list always seems to go on.
It is always quite ironic every time I am in the metro commuting to work, there is always someone being bothered by my skin colour, my race or the religion of another passenger.
Greece is a small country with a huge economic problem at the moment, so people are angry, the natives blame the "foreigners" and they want to vent but I keep wondering why attack another person for your frustration?
I have decided to stay centered myself, from the moment I boarded the plane to come back, I promised myself that I will not be touched by the hate, the anger, and frustrations of others. I am here for a reason , I am not responsible for their behavior but I am responsible for my reaction.
I am proud of the beauty of Greece as a country and strongly believe that its beauty surpasses all the negativity and one day things will work out if we all work together.
The temptation to get swallowed up in the hate is easy but I am swallowed by the love for this place and the love deposited by the people who believe in what I do and support me.
So I will project the love from amazing young people who rise above the chaos and create beautiful things, people who come together and fight for the weak, for the ones who aren't strong enough. People who work for more than 12 hours without getting a dime but make more difference than those who get thousands and do nothing.
People who don't have but still give, people who use their time, talent, knowledge and power to bring a smile to other's lips.
So that my people who believe in the dream of freedom and equality, those who know that even though I am not making millions, I am a happier person, and they support my vision because they love and love is not about money but about solidarity and caring.
It is about having the same respect for people you don't know or expect them to give you something in return.
Some people will never understand this, and some people will say why are here? Some other people will never say "thank you" , other will call you names and others will even take advantage but you know what I tell myself? I am not doing this for you or him, or them. I am doing this for me because honestly speaking to me the universal human right is not just a written document that applies to a specific group of people. To me the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, applies to everyone and that is why I do what I do. I am blessed to do it with no payment because we should all do it. Nobody should have to feel bad for where they are born or what race they are born into.
I hope you all travel to the infamous Syntagma Metro station with me in this post.
Pictures were taking during the Athens Xclusive Designer's Week. This was my look for day 2.
The crop top is made by my good designer friend Leo Theo Fashion, who also took this pictures on our way.
Thank you all for readingWearing :Vintage skirt, Bag and HatTop: Handmade by Leo TheoWood Watch by Jord Watches.
