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It is our last day in Ghana. After we checked out the hotel we went to visit Ghana's National TV Station. We had a chance to meet one of their sports anchors and watch a live sports show from back in the control room. I just hate to seem like I am harping on a particular issue, but it is so refreshing to see young African men in roles of leadership and looking so professional. I think because this type of thing stands out to me, it is a testimonial of where we are in this country when it comes to men of color in professional roles. The technology of the TV station was not up to what we see in the states, but they did have some nice equipment and of course soliciting for upgrades all the time as stated by the station director.
To finish up the day before we went to the airport we visited the Accra marketplace again to say our goodbyes to our Ghana family. This was bitter/sweet because we made great relationships and I felt a great connection to Ghana as my home. So I was going home and leaving home at the same time...what a trip. US is my home of familiarity and Ghana is my home of heritage and culture.
The revelation that I have 2 homes, familiar and heritage, did not dawn on me until I visited Ghana. I believe that most African Americans do not have the perspective that they have 2 homes and that is why it would be good for most to visit Africa so they can feel the connection to home.
Knowing ones heritage and connecting with ones roots gives one a fuller understanding of who they are. I was individuals over in Ghana who looked like a lot of my friends and relatives. The characteristics of the African people reminded me of some of the characteristics I see in my family. For instance, I was welcomed within the homes of our liaison with open arms. They made sure that I ate well and felt at home. This is just the thing that my family does when we have visitors. We go out of our way to make sure that our visitors feel welcomed, are eating well and are well taken care of. This welcoming of others trait I saw and felt during my stay in Ghana and reminded me of my people in the states.
Finally, Ghana is a great place and I felt like home. I was treated like a King and I met people there who will always be a part of my life. But Ghana still has its challenges. Traveling was not easy, traffic is much more congested than our traffic in Tulsa. Also, the system of traffic navigation seems to be somewhat primitive compared to ours. Running water is Ghana was also not constant. The home we stayed in did not have running water, so they collected their water in buckers and this was the water used for bathing, cooking, toilet flushing...etc. The internet and technology was also a challenge compared to what we experience in the states. Most TV stations are off by midnight and internet was very spotty, slow and cumbersome. But the one thing that stood out to me is that the Ghana people still seemed happy even without dependable technology, constant running water and traffic congestion. Thinking about their sense of peace made me ask myself the question, "is having a lot of conveniences and stuff make one happy or is a simpler life a happier life?"
This experience has changed my life forever. It has given me a different perspective about Africa, but most importantly a different perspective about myself. I feel like I know more about my people, heritage and history and therefore about myself. Africa is my home of heritage and America is myu home of familiarity. I want to make sure that I contribute to both of my homes.
God bless America & Africa...my home sweet home.
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