THE GHANA CHRONICLES: The World Is Waiting—5/24/23

Around 2/3rds through the ceremony, I noticed something on the program about greetings from Orff-Afrique. Suddenly, someone handed me the mike and it was my turn to give a speech. Which NO ONE had told me about. So with exactly 3 seconds to prepare, I stood up and started talking. I don’t remember precisely what I said, but I do remember a quality of silence from the people listening, the kind that says there’s something being said beyond mere formality. It actually was filmed by the film crew on hand, so some day I may get to hear it. But for now, it was something like this:

 

We are music teachers coming here from many countries around the world. Many of us thought we would just learn some nice drum patterns, dance steps and fun games to take back to the children we teach. And we have, thanks to the generosity of our teachers and the fabulous music and dance of the Ewe culture. But it turns out that we are here to learn something much more profound, much more important, much more needed. 

 

Speaking for myself coming from the United States, I’m here to sadly report that I come from a culture that has lost its way. That cares more about money than people, more about protecting guns than children, more about winning than helping. Every day I read the next story in the newspaper that tries to shut down my hope in humanity, in the goodness of people, in the promise of our humanity.

 

And then I came here to this place that begins by welcoming everyone with open arms, invites us into the dancing circle, greets us with smiles and shows us the proper way to raise children and to take care of each other. A place that honors the elders, evokes the Ancestors, passes on its beautiful traditional culture to the children while being open to new variations. A place that understands the proper role of music and dance as the way to express our collective character as well as our individual character, that deeply connects people to each other, to their own bodies, hearts and minds, to the past, present and future. A place where everything has a profound meaning— from a master drum pattern to a dance step to a proverb to an Adinkra symbol and more. 

 

I come from a country where people feel isolated and lonely and think that all of life is meaningless. Where all they have is machines to distract them, to entertain them, to allow them to express the worst parts of themselves without consequence. I come from a country that has done immeasurable harm to the African continent and continues to be ignorant of the beautiful spirit we are all witnessing on this special day. 

 

So let me be clear. You have what we need. You are teaching us the lessons we need to learn, that we vow to take back to our countries and the children we teach. You are the way to the future human beings deserve. You Nunya students will be the new missionaries, setting out into the world not to convert, but to invite people to the delicious taste of a culture that is vibrant, caring and kind. The world is waiting.