an arabian princess in north america >> by tina francis >> *spark-online issue eighteen

You can call me Tina. But my real name is Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bin Mohammed Ali Al Abu Bin Nahyan. I was born in a country called United Arab Emirates and for the North Americans out there, it's right next to Iraq. In fact, Saddam Hussein is a distant cousin of my fiancé, Mohammed. I was born the third daughter of my father's ninth wife. My father's name is Mohammed. My father is a wealthy landowner who owns four score ten flock and herd, and his camels are some of the swiftest in the land. One day I was summoned to his chambers and was informed that I was to journey to a distant land to be instructed in the ways of the west. I was nervous because I had never stepped outside the women's chambers of the palace before. In fact, this was the first time I had ever seen my father's private quarters.

In the honor of my exodus my father held a huge feast and we ate of the fattened calf. After traveling by camels for seven suns, we reached Baghdad by the morn of the eighth sun. And lo, before my eyes was Allah in the form of a great white dove. This "aero-plane" was to carry me to the promised land. Upon arrival at the university I found myself surrounded by faces as white as the holy scrolls, speaking a foreign tongue. I was then presented to my future roommate. I could see why my father had sent me here. It was just like home! Only they referred to the women's chambers as "Fraser Hall." As I stepped outside the confines of my residence, an overwhelming fear swept over my entire body at being in the presence of the forbidden gender. I felt naked without my veil and despite my fear proceeded cautiously. The soles of my feet throbbed with excruciating pain. It was difficult having to walk everywhere. I was so used to being carried around.

As I rested on my bed at the end of my grand tour I was well aware of the feeling of sadness that had engulfed me. I missed home. I missed the smiles of my camels. I missed my daily afternoon fresh goat milk. As I looked at the white girl sitting across the room, I knew she would never feed me grapes like my servants did at home.

Riiiiiiiiiight! And Caucasian is a type of dog. Well, that is what I thought when I first came here. I guess we all have our share of ignorance. I might have exaggerated for the most part, but I do come from a country called United Arab Emirates and these were truly some of the myths imposed upon me. And it's hard when the country in which you have lived your entire life is non-existent to those around you.

I speak English. I know what McDonald's is. I know the lyrics to the song "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia. My father is a partner in an advertising company. And I will get married when I darn well want to, to whomever I want to! Just a suggestion, guys: Be sensitive, don't over-generalize and don't be scared to talk to us. You will find out that we are not all that different from you.

And by the way, my real name is Tina Elizabeth Anthony Francis. Not all that exotic, eh? And… I actually, know only two Mohammeds.

Tina Francis is an 18-year-old communications major in her sophomore year at Trinity Western University. As you can see, she is extremely passionate about her country and it infuriates her that it remains unknown to the rest of the world (primarily North Americans)!