Today was the day. The day I would have to go back and face
my realities of my American lifestyle and institutions after flying 20 hours to
the “land of opportunity”. On the contrary, as my days in Ghana came to an end
I began thinking about how I would adjust to the majority white fast paced
society again? Now, if you know me well you know I have no problem with being
around people who do not look like me, and I am at my best when I am moving
constantly and caring for others. This is what I THOUGHT was my best before
arriving in Ghana, but I can truly say that my best NOW is when I can reflect
over my day, discuss it with someone or even a group of people, and see how can
I make a difference in this world. So, I say I finally found it! Peace! This
was the peace I was looking for in my life, the peace that God felt on his last
days on the cross for me, the peace of knowing that I was selfish even when I
thought I was not, the peace to know I should live life and care for ALL people.
My peace is defined as being okay with my African heritage, telling my family
and friends the untold stories of our African history, and the realization of
who I am as a person. In my opinion, the stories untold in our American history
about Africa account for some of my African American brothers and sisters
struggles today. It is equivalent to the broken bondage between a mother and
her children. This broken bond from the mother country caused her children to
feed for their mother for centuries. Through years of colonialism,
globalization, and assimilation, the African people have adopted and accepted
their new white culture. I do not discredit my assimilation to the culture
because I know it has made my experience as an African American challenging and
rewarding at times. I realize the impact it has bestowed upon me as I continue
into adulthood in a dominated white patriarchal society. In other words, the
underlying feeling of being still, stuck, poor, different, and deceived by all
of what a society such as this had to offer me, yet there is no more time to
blame the victim anymore. It is time to stand up and speak out for African
people in ALL places and remind people who believe that Africans and/or African
descendants are uneducated, uncivilized, and ignorant that these stereotypes
are no longer true. I must say farewell to those stereotypes and educate others
about ethnocentrism, different cultures, and people around the world. This is
essential for the progression of our culture and the movement of globalization
around the world.
Moreover,
my flight back was interestingly emotional and exciting. For example, my eyes
opened during the night sky and I begin thinking about my experience in Ghana
and my international service project with Ashaiman Senior High School. After
reconciling my thoughts my eyes were full with tears, one tear rolled down my
cheek while others followed. It was real. Ghana and its people would truly be
missed and forever have pieces of my heart. The relationships obtained from
Ghana were real and I did not want to let them shatter like a broken mirror on
a dark wall of hopelessness. Especially since this was the same mirror that
allowed me recognize my flaws, relationships with others, desires, and future
endeavors. I am forever changed and blessed because of this trip. God has
created a path for me now I must follow it and give back what I have learned
and cherished these past four weeks. In for my followers I say Ma da’ ce (Thank
you in Twi) if you have taken the time to keep up with me these last few weeks.
I hope you see the difference this trip has made for me. However, I encourage
to take your opportunities and learn from them for you one day will experience
the joy of being with a group of people greater than yourself.
Ashaiman Senior High School Group (click link to see summary video)
No comments:
Post a Comment