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Mr. Casey's Experience Page
The trip was wonderful. I experienced so many new
and different things. This trip has also opened my eyes to the many
similarities, differences, and benefits that I am given as an
American. Going to Ghana has reminded me of important values that I
sometimes forget. I have realized that as an American I sometimes
place way too much value and importance into things that are just not
that important. By hanging out with Ghanaians I am reminded that my
family and the time that I spend with my family is really valuable. I
now make an effort to speak with my family at least once a week. When
driving around Ghana I became witness to the product of ungoverned
capitalism. To make a long story short, Ghana has really rich people,
a struggling middle class, and the poorest of the poor. Since Ghana
doesn't have a welfare system in place the poor get no help and
presumably get left out to dry. Seeing these conditions really showed
me the benefit of our welfare system. Although some people take
advantage of the system it is necessary and we should never get rid of
it. Leisure time has now become high on my list of priorities. (As if
it already wasn't) I constantly find myself on the go trying to figure
what needs to be done next. In Ghana it seemed as if everything we did
had a built in relax period. On average my dinners last about thirty
minutes but in Ghana it would last an hour and a half. I think Leisure
time is best spent with family and friends. By spending more time with
them it will build stronger relationships at home and friendships. On
a more serious note, I now have a new perspective about slavery. Some
of the strongest words I heard throughout the trip came from the tour
guide of Elmina Castle. He said, You are African.. In America we as
blacks we cannot imagine the hardships faced by our ancestors in the
wake of slavery. To us our history begins in Virginia, the South, and
the Civil War; sadly that's only half the story. I learned that if
anyone should receive reparations for injustices done in the past it
should be the whole continent of Africa. Africa to this day is still
suffering from slavery. I find it amazing how people that have
experienced and still experience so much hardship hold little if any
animosity towards Westerners. They don't point the finger at anyone;
they make the best out of a bad situation.. I can only begin to
explain everything that I have seen luckily I have pictures. Oh yeah,
don't ask me if I saw any lions or elephants, because the only animals
we saw were birds, lizards, and bats. You can take a good look at a
cheetah or lion at the zoo or maybe animal planet. Anyways these are
just a few of my thoughts and experiences. If you have any questions
send me an email. Ill be happy to answer your question.
