My Fourth Day in Botswana

January 16, 2015
5:07am
#jetlag

Yesterday (1/15/15) was monumental. I was enlightened in so many ways.

The lecturers during orientation were electrifying. One professor called herself a "cultural feminist" and that radical feminism had no role African culture because it assumes patriarchy is synonymous with oppression. But the african family system (at the bare minimum) consist of three "circular homes"- the Lands, Cattle post and Village. So it would be impossible for oppression to exist if the women were in control of the lands, the men were in control of the cattle post and the children were in control of the village.

Another professor asked a question to the class that made me extremely uncomfortable and borderline angry. I kinda sorta snapped...just a little. In addition to asking us our race and ethnicity, she asked us what our class was. Since I overstand social constructionism to be a form of social stratification more than economic stratification, I was reluctant to answer the question.

But I decided to participate and regurgitate America's truth about me..."I am CONSIDERED lower class".  Everyone was either "upper or middle class". I was the only "lower class student" in the class. That hurt man. Having to refer to my status as lower class because of an income amount.  I personally measure people by the goodness of their character  So,  I know upper class citizens are no better than lower class citizens. But society identifies us according to class and race. What is your class?

Our third workshop was led by a dance teacher from Zimbabwe. The information he gave me about African Gumboot Dancers blew my mind. And I need to learn more before I reveal its connection to stepping as it relates to this country. But just know, a million books should, could and would never give you the truth about a people. In order to learn the people's truth, you must speak to the people. After that workshop, I knew/know God is and has led me to my own truth. I am right where I belong. Everything is in me and one truth that I thought was in the gold mines of South Africa is right here in Botswana. I searched for truth and I found it.

Friendship. My friend is here with me because Botswana is his home. Not too long ago, he was walking in my shoes. He was in the states going to school and adjusting to a new culture. Now I am walking in his shoes, going to school and adjusting to a new culture. God has made us sensitive to each others differences and embracing of each other's similarities. Our respect for each other is genuine and our intentions are pure... free from trickery. When you surround yourself with good people, good things will always happen.

My fourth day was life changing.