Talk about "confronting the past"
...
Yesterday, the Obama family toured the Cape Coast fortress in Ghana, from which countless Africans, were forcibly sent to the slave trade. I'm struck by the meaning of this visit, and how the ugly history of slavery is being faced, in an unflinching manner.
Clearly, this part of the trip to Ghana was not a "fun" visit for the Obamas.
I get so frustrated when I hear people refer to "Africa," as if it were one country. (Think of it, you've surely heard a list that goes something like, "France, Germany, Japan, Africa." This drives me nuts.) I'm hoping that this trip signals a new approach to relations between the United States and the countries of Africa.
As a daughter of an immigrant, I'm still delighted by how Barack Obama is re-shaping the definition of "American."
Is it totally shallow to admit how much I love the clothes of the Ghanaian people?
I work with pattern as part of my job, and I adore these exuberant textiles!
How can I not love a culture whose most formal clothes are so bold, joyful and dignified?
Yesterday, the Obama family toured the Cape Coast fortress in Ghana, from which countless Africans, were forcibly sent to the slave trade. I'm struck by the meaning of this visit, and how the ugly history of slavery is being faced, in an unflinching manner.
Clearly, this part of the trip to Ghana was not a "fun" visit for the Obamas.
I get so frustrated when I hear people refer to "Africa," as if it were one country. (Think of it, you've surely heard a list that goes something like, "France, Germany, Japan, Africa." This drives me nuts.) I'm hoping that this trip signals a new approach to relations between the United States and the countries of Africa.
As a daughter of an immigrant, I'm still delighted by how Barack Obama is re-shaping the definition of "American."
Is it totally shallow to admit how much I love the clothes of the Ghanaian people?
I work with pattern as part of my job, and I adore these exuberant textiles!
How can I not love a culture whose most formal clothes are so bold, joyful and dignified?
Comments
One of the times I was in Africa for museum work (gee, how I miss my former job!) I bought a whole lot of those colorful clothes- printed 2 to a set- and have them in a box somewhere in the barn yet. Hope the mice havent eaten them entirely.
Gary bought some kente cloth sneakers once in Baltimore in Lexington market, and everyone in his office in Baltimore was like "Where did you get those!" Needless to say- $2 will get you some fine threads in B-more, Hon, if you knows where to shop!
Annalisa