My two weeks are coming to an end and I am reflecting on my time here. There are a few words that are at the forefront of my mind. The word that is most present for me right now is gratitude.
I am grateful to the most high for allowing me the opportunity to be in this place at this time.
I am grateful for the Earth, the history held in the ground, the water that nurtures, the plants that heal and the trees who bear witness to it all.
I am grateful for the rich history of my ancestors, mixed with triumphs, tragedies and so much wisdom.
I am grateful for my family who supported me to this trip, those who openly shared their knowledge and wisdom with us because they understand that knowledge must be collectively held and my cohort supporting me through the journey.
My next word is community. Our cohort picked an adinkra symbol to represent us and before even really knowing one another we picked a symbol that represents us perfectly: BOA MI NA MIN BOA WO. It translates to “Help me and let me help you.” Our sense of community was immediate while boarding the plane together and we’ve been building it ever since. We have worked together to create a Gracious Space so that we are able to have our individual experiences while having an experience as a whole. We have been stepping up for each other when needed and we have been mindful of stepping back to give others space when necessary.
And now I’ll talk about joy.
Our days have been busy, as we are trying to see and absorb so much before returning to our ‘normal’ lives. Something that sticks out to me is the joy I have seen and experienced being here. From the warm welcome ceremony we received with drumming and dancing, to the continuous singing and the children playing on the beach without a care in the world. In addition to the songs, laughter will be the soundtrack to these two weeks. Despite our cultural differences and the moments of grief we have felt mourning those who were mistreated during the trans-Atlantic slave trafficking and the anger we felt confronting the truth of those who were able to treat their fellow human being so horribly, we were able to remind one another of joy. I’ve laughed to tears more days than not and I have been reminded that when joy is sprinkled in your everyday traditions, while the flame may dim it will never die. And that if you feed it, it will be bold, bright and beautiful.
My time here has exceeded my expectations. I am at home while being away from home. I have been comfortably uncomfortable. I’ve uncovered questions that were obscured by the answers I thought I wanted. I’ve questioned my privileges as someone born and raised in the United States. After learning more about the accomplishments of people like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (first president of Ghana) and Kwame Akoto-Bamfo (creator of the Nkyinkyim Installation and Legacy Museum in Nuhalenya-Ada, Greater Accra) I am thinking about my legacy and the type of ancestor I would like to be, hoping I’ve been a descendant that has made mine proud.
Ghana, I will not go back to Brooklyn the same. Thank you for challenging me, teaching me and reminding me that I am always welcomed home. ODO NYERA FIE KWAN. Love never loses it’s way home.
xo - Ama (Twi day name given to female children born on Saturday)
Melissa Braxton is a Special Education teacher at International High School at Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, New York.