Ghana Log 18
I think every experience in life changes a person. Sometimes you can notice it right away, other times it takes years.
I don't always thing change is a good thing. Coming back from war with PTSD being one example. But, I have already noticed a few positive things about my time in Africa.
First, I'm really interested in Africa now. As worldly as I like to think of myself, I must admit I didn't know hardly anything about Africa until moving there. I'm not as bad as Sarah Palin, but I knew more about some European countries than I did about the whole African continent.
Now I have a better idea of what is going on over there, but perhaps more importantly, I'm actually interested in it. I've been going on BBC Africa (my favorite site for all things Africa - sorry allafrica.com) everyday since coming back and I can't get enough!
I think every American should visit there, if possible. It might actually change a lot of perceptions of our country being this great "world helper." Real progress won't happen until both sides get over what the West did way back when. It's time for us to work together to stop all modern forms of colonialism.
Second, I dislike rich white people even more. I'm willing to accept that we are all products of our environment. A poor kid from Stockton, Calif. is unwilling to try in school because his dad is in a gang and he has no support at home...and a rich white girl from the Upper West Side has everything she ever wanted so she doesn't show any respect. It's all relative, I suppose. But, I hope that if I win the lottery some day, my daughter won't get any money in her account from me.
Last, God bless America!
In no way do I support the policies of the American government or even have minimal feelings of nationalism, but the people and culture of America are amazing.
The American people are the kindest, most charitable, and most intelligent in the world. Even if half our population is ignorant, that still leaves 150,000 that are really cool. We might have one of the most evil ruling classes in the history of the world, but the American masses are still the best people anyone would want to meet in their life.
It has taken me a very long time to come to this conclusion. Before I left for England, I thought all of USA sucked. I realized after I was wrong. Before leaving for Africa, I thought even the best of us had somehow been corrupted. I now realize that is wrong.
In my travels I have met a lot of Europeans that think differently. Let me tell you, an American would never move to Ireland or Germany and start talking about how stupid the population is or how fat everyone is.
I know Europe was hot shit back in the day. All the greatest music, literature, and ideas came out of there. Well, now it's America. All the music you listen to, the movies you watch, and the best political thinkers (Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, Jeremy Scahill, Paul D' Amato, etc.) are here. Get over it.
I hope if America someday pays second fiddle to China, my kids have the tact not to go over there and start hating on the people.
That's a wrap for my time in Africa! Thank you to everyone that read my blog during this time and, especially, if you left comments.
I hope you still follow my adventures in New York City.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss
1 comment:
I find it interesting that in order to appreciate the States, it helps to live outside of the States. When U.S. citizens that have never traveled outside of the States say, "Why would anyone want to vacation or live abroad when you've got America?" I cringe a little bit. But to some degree, they have a point. This is a great country with motivated and aspiring people striving to always make things better. It's by no means a perfect country, but the myth that Europe is superior is a farce. All countries have their own racism and intolerance. It's too bad that some perceptions are that Americans are arrogant, racist, and resistant to change.
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