Two Cradle Theory: White on Black Crime

Class is a big part of this program,

my classes have been interesting. I've been learning about a lot of stuff that I am aware of and conscious about but, that I haven't ever been given formal instruction in. I guess that's the stuff I would be learning if I was an Africana Studies major. Oh well. We've been talking a lot about worldviews...like the European v. African worldview. They are strikingly different. Cheikh Anta Diop proposed one of the earliest schemes for articulating the components of the African and European worldviews. His work is usually referred to as the "Two Cradle Theory."

He proposes two primary cradles of human civilization. The earliest, rising near the equator in the southern region was on the continent of Africa and was "Black in race family identification." A later cradle also evolved relatively independent from the earlier cradle. This second cradle was located in the north in Europe and was "White/Caucasian in race family identification."

The African Cradle is characterized as "matrilineal, monotheistic, communal-collectivistic, congenial and nonracial in social relations, and sedentary-agrarian in residential, economic and life-style patterns." The European Cradle is characterized as "patrilineal, polytheistic, individualistic, suspicious/aggressive and racially oriented in social relations, and nomadic-hunting in residential, economic and life-style patterns." The European worldview "defines an antagonistic and conflictual theme in human-nature relations. The emphasis is placed on human intervention into nature to achieve mastery and gain control over nature through the power-based mechanisms of aggression, domination, oppression, suppression, repression, and the unnatural alteration of reording of all objects in nature." A basic theme that evolved from the European worldview is that of the "survival of the fittest." On the other hand, the African worldview "defines human-nature relations as interdependent and inseparable. The fundamental assumption or ethos in African cosmolgy [the structure of reality from a particular racial-cultural perspective/experience] is that of 'Human-Nature Unity', oneness or harmony with nature, including complementarity, balance, and reciprocity in all of existence." Therefore, the basic values or beliefs that run evident in the African worldview are "principles of inclusiveness and synthesis, cooperation and collective responsibility, groupness, sameness and commonality, and spirituality."


This "two cradle theory" isn't really that new to my education but I haven't been exposed to literature that supports it so emphatically. The theories make it easier to explain the way history has turned out. Due to the ideals that the Europeans developed for themselves they felt it was right in line with their lifestyles to go ahead and colonize/rape/imperialize all of the people of color of the world especially those located on the "dark continent." It's an even sadder situation because now that we [black people] have been forced to intertwine with Europeans we have begun to lose some of our worldview and take on characteristics of the European worldview. We are not completely transformed/brainwashed but we subconsciously think like them. We have put an emphasis on materialism and individuality forgetting that a communal way of life is what has made us so successful and powerful over the span of time.

It's a lot to think about. It's a lot to wrap your mind around. It's even more to put your finger on. I just listen and learn and think and think and think some more. I can't help but get emotional. Sometimes anger fills my heart. Sometimes I'm in a rage. Quite honestly I can't even look at white people anymore. I don't look them in the eyes. They aren't worthy and they don't deserve my gaze. I'm just trying not to lose myself in this game called life. They've tried so hard to get me to hate myself and my people. They keep trying,

every day. But, I will not give in. I will embrace myself and my beauty and most importantly my people and the beauty of them.


Think. Think. Think. Learn. Learn. Learn. Grow. Grow. Grow. Always. Always. Always.

Adventures in Accra...

It has been a hectic week...

something about Ghana, here the days go on for days and by the end of the day you are truly exhausted. And, I don't mean that I want to lay down tired, I mean that my body aches/hurts/throbs tired.

Looking back on the first week I've done so much. I went to the cultural center, which is this huge shopping area. It was crazy. As soon as we got off the bus it's as if they could tell that we were Americans and all the vendors charged us. Pretty much everywhere we went we got attacked to buy everything....jewelry, masks, artwork, etc. Good thing I like most of the stuff they are usually selling. There was a local soccer game at the market and it was right by the ocean....isn't that crazy? They aren't phased by it either, I mean they can look at it any day they like. Beautiful.

We've also visited some memorials...two to be exact....Kwame Nkrumah's' and W.E.B. DuBoi's. I preferred Nkrumah's but that's probably because it was nicer....they put a lot of work into it but it makes sense as he was Ghana's savior and first President. There were statutes outside and this huge tree that is made out of European marble, it stops half way though, like it's not a full tree, that's to symbolize that Nkrumah did not get to finish out what he started when he was in office. His goals and dreams got cut short after the cout' de tat. Anyway,

inside the museum there wasn't much,just pictures and a few belongings that he owned. It was quite embarrassing as the tour guide explained picture after picture. All I kept thinking was is this all that is left to commemorate one of Africa's greatest and most just leaders? A bunch of old pictures that aren't even originals. When the real artifacts are sitting peacefully (or rather, not peacefully) in European and American museums. It's such a sad situation. The DuBois center was much of the same but even more pitiful. The only good thing about both places was that they were both lain to rest there (their graves, bodies, and caskets were in the memorials). At least they can finally rest in peace...in their true homelands.

Regardless, both visits were educational and I will definitely be revisiting the Nkrumah memorial.

We've done our fair share of going out/drinking since we've been here. Actually, it seems as if we go out and drink every night. They don't even question your age. It's as if the drinking age doesn't exist. We've been to 2 clubs and when it's not the weekend we usually go to this gas station spot called "Bonjour" (thank you France) that serves alcohol and "American " food. It's pretty entertaining. The first club we went to was called "Champs Sports Bar" and it was recommended to us from a Nigerian student who is also studying in Accra (with the Univ. of North Carolina). When we got to this spot we were very disappointed. We had already been there, or in the vicinity earlier in the week. It was definitely not a local place. There were more white people there than Blacks. I felt as if I was in Pittsburgh. There was karaoke and coonery. It was disgusting and embarrassing but me and my girls had a good time. There was this stank ho who really thought her ass was Beyonce...

like,


did she really need to perform two Beyonce songs. M! She was more like Solange. Or rather, Solange's shadow.

We will definitely not be going there again. You'd think we were in Africa or something with all the Europeans/tourists/Americans/white people...ugh!


That was Friday night. Saturday night we had better luck. We went to "Boomerangs" and it was nothing like the one on Forbes Avenue. We had a blast. Like, seriously this was one of the best outings I've ever had. We got there around 11 and there was no one there but we waited patiently. Ladies got in free and guys had to pay around $10. There was free beer (which was nasty). They played semi-new hip hop/reggae. The high light of the night occurred when we were invited into the VIP room. My new friend Amber had been working the club since we got there and this one guy really liked her so he invited us all in. We drank like celebrities. He ordered us a bottle of wine and we received a complimentary bottle of Moet (expensive champagne) from the bar. So much fun...like Real World unbelievable fun...

is it possible that I have more fun out here than I do in the states? More to come about the beach later...

I have a lot of feelings...

So,

Posting in here has been a long time coming. I have now officially been in Accra for 5 days. We arrived here in the evening of July 8th (Monday). Time is taking some time to get used to (Ghana is 4 hours ahead of the States). The flight was smooth...I guess. I flew into Frankfurt, Germany from D.C. by myself but I met up with the other Temple/Philadelphia kids in Germany and we flew together into Accra...


interestingly enough we stopped in Lagos, Nigeria to refuel and drop off people. I had no idea that we were stopping in Nigeria. It was a little eerie for me to be there (in my home country) in an airport but not being able to move...like, I haven't been back there for like 10 years...and I'm note sure if I'm ready for that kind of psychological re-evaluation...

oh well.

It's been oh so interesting since I arrived here. We've done so much and the days seem to last twice as long here. It's like the days never end and by the end of the day it's as if I've accomplished a week's worth of stuff.

We are staying in dorm like accommodations but it wasn't where we were placed when we first arrived. There were some problems with the first place...

- it wasn't clean
- there were rats
- it wasn't clean
- there were rats
- like, they didn't prepare for us (Oh Africa)


get the picture? So, we bitched and complained and we got moved. We are staying in senior housing now and it's much better.


I'm pretty familiar with the kids on the trip now. It was kind of weird at first but I pretty much get along with everyone and I've found my "niche" of friends. This wasn't always the case though...

there was a little trouble with these 2 girls and the rest of the group. Like, basically the second night we were here a bunch of us went out and my roommate got really really really drunk...

like we had to carry her home drunk. I know...very Ruthie/first episode of the Real World Hawaii dramatic. Anyway, a couple of us had to take care of her all night. She had asthma and was shaking and she couldn't stop throwing up and pooping and we had to literally hold her. She was also coughing up a lot of these very personal verbal confessions and quite honestly I didn't know (and still don't know) what to make of all of it all. During the night we weren't sure if she was breathing but we have a nursing student on the trip and she was tons of help. While all of this was happening some girls were not too pleased that their sleep was getting disrupted so they communicated that to us and there were some unkind words exchanged between some people (not me). I tried to talk to them...they didn't want to hear it so I stopped. I didn't talk to them for like 2 days before they came around around started talking to us.

So much drama,
So little time.

Things are fine now (for the most part). The days are slow and hot and sometimes wet. We walk a lot. I run a lot. I talk a lot. I drink a lot. I listen a lot. I feel a lot. I share a lot. I love a lot.

This is going to be a sick journey,

but I'm ready.

Minus 6 Days Till Take-Off

In approaximately one week I will be boarding a plane from Dulles airport in Washington, D.C. and heading to Frankfurt, Germany. Once in Germany I have about a 3.5 hour layover before I fly out for Accra, Ghana. The scheduled arrival is 5:10 p.m. but I still haven't figured out what that means in American time. I'm pretty sure there is a 5/6 hour difference. I'm just not sure whether it's ahead or behind. I'll figure it out...

Either way, I'll be in Ghana and beginning my 6 week adventure with a bunch of strangers that I'm sure I'll grow to call "friends." We'll see how it all plays out...


for now, I wait, last-minute shop, pack, and cross my fingers. This is about to be an experience of a lifetime.