Accra Central

Today I traveled alone to a foreign ground with ancient sounds,
Transported amongst the locals, peered on by strange and curious looks,
I felt strangely like a minority, of lesser than white man’s superiority, and this felt gratifyingly apt.

For white man has destroyed this land with its demands and somewhat gruesome strands of leadership. But I am a white woman, what has this got to do with me, can’t they see I have not infected their earth yet today I felt the mirth of a people subjected to politics of dirt their hurt runs deep and why should they trust a white woman who travels alone.

External influences infiltrate my thoughts and myths, morals and misperceptions seep through and judgements and values creep in yet they are not deep and I trust in the people of Ghana for they are my equal and history shows they have climbed great heights of their steeple and survived the demonstrative results of colonialism, imperialism and many other isms.

The people of Ghana showed kindness to me, yes they can see I am a white woman with no harm to cause, others have created the wars. Yet I remain mindful I can be perceived as part of those who deceive with ulterior motives and this in mind I act in kind and show my utmost respect to the people of Ghana.

Perhaps it is my own internalized fear and I subconsciously seek to reprieve for past hurts. Maybe the people of Ghana do not project the hurt of their ancestors and do not detest white people at all. I shall rest tonight with this foresight, feeling deep inside the pride I feel for overcoming my own prejudice and move forward blessed with a new knowing to help me keep going in this world free from judgement and the ability to overthrow the incredulity of external forces which poison and divorce me from the soil which grounds me.

I am pleased for today I was able to see, and subsequently be free.

The Brighton to London Poet

© 2006 MCARB