Happy Juneteenth! It’s time for reflection on the past and finding truth as well as on reconciling with what is or should be just. This past week plus I’ve been visiting Ghana and Senegal to learn about West African culture, the health and wellbeing of different groups in the global south, and the history of slavery in those countries. Pictured here are photos of modern Accra and their market where produce is plentiful, their city hall (Jubilee House), the dungeons in Elmina Castle where enslaved African women were held for 3 months at a time and the “Door of No Return,” the threshold where those enslaved last saw their homeland. Likely, at least one of my ancestors passed through that door.
Though colonialism and neocolonialism continue to negatively impact the region, both Ghana and Senegal are thoroughly modern countries full of educated and ambitious people (perhaps contrary to the perceptions of many Americans). Indeed, in many respects both countries showed me the possibilities for how things could be better in the United States. It was enlightening to learn that people - for the most part - are VERY healthy and active, eat an amazing, well-nourished, diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and rarely suffer from type two diabetes, hypertension, obesity or many of the chronic scourges or diseases that plague African Americans (and many other Americans). Their communities are collaborative and supportive of one another. Religions mix and respect one another. Few of the police need to be armed, and gun violence is very rare. Prison populations are also very low. Throughout my graduate studies, I heard many times about African Americans being at risk of various diseases because of their genetics — similarly, my whole life I’ve heard people say that African Americans are inherently violent or many other negative things. These ideas, as evidenced by the lives of West Africans, rely on racist ideas about genetic differences between races and the nature of black people and communities. Genetically, Senegalese and Ghanaians share the same gene pool as many African Americans — and yet, they do not have the same problems. As a country we need to reflect on what can and should change on a higher level.
I encourage everyone to learn more about how policy and societal choices matter and can, perhaps, yet save millions of dollars on health care cost, and improve the quality of life for many black people, especially on this day!