As a person of colour, I am very conscious of how I stick out like a sore thumb in the countryside and I have had numerous instances of being made to feel like I don't belong... one of the worst was having the police called out on me for taking photos of the sunset.... another was being asked if I was lost .... and another was entering a busy country pub and a hush immediately falling through the pub with almost everyone turning to look at me with: silence was broken by someone saying, I guess the tourist bus has stopped by.... among a few..
Last week though, I had an incident that has been troubling me... we had a few days of snow and the countryside around near where I live looked incredible so I packed up my photography gear and drove to an idyllic spot with beautiful rolling hills.
I was in the midst of settling up my camera on the tripod by the side of the road when this lady drove up and started asking me if I am taking photos. I looked at my setup then looked at her... I thought of saying something rude but I just said yes... she proceeded to tell me that I was taking a photo through her family farm and I should just be aware that it's her farm...
I started feeling this rage building up within me but she drove off up her lane to the farm...
Why why why can't I just enjoy the countryside in peace...
