I’m both African American and Moroccan. I am Arab Moroccan and not Berber. I grew up navigating two cultures, two sets of traditions, and a lot of mixed reactions when people find out about my background. I find it very interesting because I am from 2 different parts of the world.
I’m open to answering questions about identity, culture, family, religion, food, or what it’s like growing up mixed.
Have you ever been to Africa or Morocco?
I have!! I love Morocco and it is a very popular tourist destination
Morocco is IN Africa 😩
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What is your favorite folktale from each culture?
Unfortunately, and I’m embarrassed to say. But i am very uneducated on either culture. I know African American from what ive learned in schools but my parents have never exposed me to cultural history and i wish they did more.
1)Do you speak arabic / Moroccan Arabic? 2) are you muslim? 3) was your Moroccan side of the family accepting of your mom marrying a black person and vice versa What about your African American side? 4) what's your favorite Moroccan dish?
yes i do speak moroccan Arabic. i am Muslim. unfortunately it is outside of the norms to marry outside of Arabs, especially African Americans. My mothers mother actually did not want my mother to marry my father due to cultural differences which actually did come up later in life, and was a bit difficult but they worked it out. my dad previously had children before marrying my mom (5) and my half siblings were very unhappy that my father did not marry another black woman. i have no relationship with my siblings and it does upset me because although we are blood, they don’t care for me. i think because I personally have experienced more stigma from my African American side, i am more connected to my Arab culture and would want to marry that race. It’s very amazing to me how stereotypes and experiences alter a person’s perception to certain things. My favorite moroccan dish is Sefa which is vermecelli noodles with chicken and powdered sugar.
Interesting. Some follow up questions
Other random questions as I'm a language enthusiast -you said you speak darija , how well do you speak it? - do you speak/understand modern standard arabic? - do you understand other Arabic dialects such as levantine, Egyptian etc? -do speak French?
I’ve never experienced stigma from Moroccans in particular. I do live in a very Arab populated city, but not many Moroccans. More so yemenis, lebenese, Egyptians and middle easterns. Unfortunately some can be condescending and racist. I was called the n word in middle school, but the same boys that bullied me wanted to talk to me in high school. Another interesting thing is when they find out I’m not fully black, they’re more interested in talking to me, which is disappointing because they only accept half of me.
Some of the similarities would be food centered culture. Both cultures are very passionate about their food and history. Although my parents did not share much of the culture with me, ive seen it in other families and people.
Some of the difference between both cultures is provision. My mom grew up with the man being a provider whereas my father believed in 50/50 or the woman contributing to finances. This was difficult for me to adjust to but she became a teacher and does what she loves teaching Islamic studies. Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country whereas many Americans practice other religions such as the nation or Christianity.
My father did revert to Islam in his 20’s long before he met my mother. He became Muslim in the 80s and met my mom in 2003. We try to visit morocco every few years but with life in the way, it’s like every 3-4 years. My mom does miss her country a lot because none of her family is here. The North African community in my city also isn’t very common!
I dooooo know other dialects. Like I mentioned, there are tonssss of middle eastern so I’m able to shift my language so they understand me and vice versa. I wish I spoke French, but my mom did not teach me.
Why not just call yourself an American who was born in Morocco? Is there another Morocco that isn’t in Africa?
Because I wasnt born in Morocco. My mother in Moroccan and my father is African American. Born and raised in the states. It’s pretty interesting that people always assume i wasn’t born in America.
You do claim to be Moroccan, what’s peculiar about assuming you were born there? Is there another way to become Moroccan?
I don’ think it’s peculiar. But I do think there is a steoptye enforced when mentioning that I am mixed because why not assume I’m born in America if I’m from 2 cultures. I wouldnt consider myself moroccan just by living there. I would only consider myself a culture if I am ethnically from there.
Okay so you‘re an American with family from Morocco. That’s great! But also pretty standard, what’s unique about you? What are the questions you are hoping for?
Please. The average Puerto Rican born and bred in ny would say they are Puerto Rican. It is common in the US to refer to oneself based on parents or grandparents country of origin to describe ethnicity.
How do you find being Muslim in America. I’m a British Muslim and have heard it’s much more difficult for Americans to practise religion due to the lower concentration of you guys there, as well as more anti Islam attitudes by the public
Because I live in a 90 percent muslim population, Alhamdullilah it is not as difficult. There are cafes with prayer rooms and people are very accommodating. We also have countless halal food spots here. Now, when I visit other states like Chicago, I do feel a little more nervous to pray in public or to ask for accommodations. It would be a bit hard for me to adjust to living in another state or country that isn't Muslim friendly.
Alhamdulilah,asalamu alaykum akhi
What's your take on berbers?
Me too! Hi!
There are no Arab Moroccans. Arabized Moroccans would be more accurate.