Why youāre probably thinking aboutĀ āAfricaā all wrong...
I am now creeping closer and closer to the 48 hour marker of when I board the plane to head to Ghana (finishing my Masterās in Public Health for those playing catch up). I have a list of things to still accomplish before I go, but as people continue to come talk to me, to wish me well and give their best, I realized I needed to give a background on the trip and where Iām going a bit better.
During one of my Masterās courses, I listened to what I have to believe is the best Ted talk Iāve heard to date (listen here). It talks about the idea and danger of a single story. Whatās a single story? A single story is when you only know one story of something, apply it to the broad idea and miss out on a critical understanding. You miss the richness and depth that can be waiting in the details. This has proven to be very true for people aboutĀ āAfrica.ā
What Iāve learned from telling people that Iām going to Ghana is most donāt even know where it is. So letās start there:
Upon my explanation that itās in Africa, people immediately jump to their single story of what an entire continent looks like, usually a combination of this:
Believe me when I say Iād love nothing more than to be in that safari truck with those people snapping photos of that beautiful elephant, but NONE of those things represent where Iāll be or what Iām doing. Mud huts, war, disease riddled-starving babies and exotic animals DO exist in parts of the CONTINENT (because letās remember itās NOT a country), to say otherwise would be unfair. And itās likely Iāll cross paths with someone whose in worse health than me, maybe even a hungry or sick child, but this should not be representative of the entire population.
It breaks my heart that a land full of such diverse culture is generalized asĀ ābadā because itās different than our Western traditions. All of Africa gets jammed together by this single story of war and terrorism, and poverty, and animals we only know from zoos. But if we dare to challenge our pre-existing beliefs, maybe weāll learn thereās more to the people there than initially meets the eye. Perhaps will be invited to learn their depth.
So back to Ghana. Iāve heard Ghana be calledĀ āAfrica light,ā as itās one of the most Westernized nations with one of the most stable economies in all of Africa. Iāve used this comparison to ease the fears of many loved ones, though to little avail. The capital of Ghana is Accra, where Iāll fly into and home from, and where weāll spend a portion of our time at. Many are surprised to learn they have a mall (that one person said was nicer than Meridian for those local Lansing folk), and even an Apple store (anyone need a Mac while Iām there?). Most of my time will be spent in Larteh (pronounced like your Starbucks order), where Iāll be doing research on water and sanitation. The village is situated in the mountains, and Iām hopeful Iāll get the chance to do some running and see a landscape different than what Iām used to here at home.
I am likely not to share many pictures while Iām gone, but with good reason. This trip is less about me standing, smiling in a picture in front of something showing Iāve been there. This trip is for me to learn and grow and develop my public health skills. I am not a super hero in a cape coming to save the people of Ghana, and so they shouldnāt be treated or represented as such. Hereās a good,Ā quick article with more detail why our group wonāt be posting selfie after selfie. Regardless, I still want to tell this story because it needs to be heard.
These ramblings all have a point, and itās to worry less about me and more about your concerns and your single story. If you donāt know about an area, donāt generalize it. Ask questions. Google. Dig deeper. Challenge your beliefs.
Hereās an example. Think of how different cultures are in Jersey and Los Angeles. People live very different lives, with different ideals and different values. Their accents are different, and so are their fashion styles. The same is true for Africa. So why shove Ghana and other areas of Africa that are so different from one another into the same sphere, just because they all fall into the category of āAfrica?ā
Africa is BIG. Like, this big:
Think if we generalized all of these nations into oneĀ āideaā because they were geographically comparable. Imagine how much culture we would lose out on. Chinese food suddenly becomes the same as Spanish, Indian and Japanese. So why classify all ofĀ āAfricaā this way?
Do I expect to be challenged while Iām abroad? Of course. Do I expect culture shock? Who wouldnāt? Will I be faced to deal with my own biases? Yes. Will I be greeted with some of the stereotypes regarding African culture? Perhaps.Ā
But I am fairly well traveled for my age and Iāll be with a group of people, led by a woman who has been traveling to Ghana for over 30 years all under the advisement of Michigan State. What I have learned is to be vigilant, as any traveler should be, and be open, as Ghanians are warm and welcoming people. I know I will be just fine. Worry is natural when a loved one goes somewhere new, this I know. All Iām asking is for your worry to be informed.
If for no other reason, let my journey break you of your single story ofĀ āAfrica.ā Let me show you that what is often portrayed in the media isnāt representative of what the entire continent has to offer. Give me the chance to tell you that even though people live on the same land mass, their cultures arenāt necessarily the same. Learn with me.
I promise to do my best to be raw, if you promise to have an open mind...


















