From "Creed," by Dom Helder Cámara

I want to believe that the whole world

Is my home, the field I sow,

And that all reap what all have sown.

I will not believe that I can combat oppression out there

If I tolerate injustice here.

I want to believe that what is right

Is the same here and there

And that I will not be free

While even one human being is excluded.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Perhaps a Post Built on Stereotypes, But Worth the Risk

We wore leopard print, flowers and sequins. The women around us showed off their athletic thighs and full lips with bright colors and tight skirts. Everyone smiled a greeting and then fell into dancing like a pool of rose petals, including the confident, smooth-faced men, who seemed to have rhythm in their blood.
I was the only white person in the room, but it took me an hour to notice.
With my Ghanaian roommate Ohemaah and her Nigerian friends Jen, Lil, and Tameshi, I went to a Nigerian Independence day celebration in a crowded, rented club. We quickly made friends with some of the other women who were there and started a circle of dancing, which became a throng, which became the epicenter of the night. No one stopped or stared, everyone weaved in and out of the circles, and contented "ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhs" would erupt when the DJ transitioned into a traditional Nigerian or recognizable song.
I was so alive. I risk stereotyping the situation or even being racist when I say that Africans are, over all, more alive than white people. They smile with life and move with the music of nature. Last night, I'm sure they noticed the single blonde girl in the room, but so long as she felt the music like they did, there was nothing more to say. I even got a couple "ehhhhhs" from some women watching us, approving my moves. I felt so cool.
One more plus. Nigerian men. Latino men dance with style and seduction, but have always been slightly feminine in their dancing, what with the hip-swivels and spins. West African men are pure masculine power and class. It is rare for an entire room of men to be dancing, and enjoying it. This was off the charts.
We white people need to loosen up. I don't think we're capable of such rich fun.

1 comment:

  1. I fully agree. And I love your writing sooooo much! Keep doing it!

    ReplyDelete