If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, create an account here and check out our how-to post to learn more.
____
4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, I watch my fellow African/ Black Americans once again fight for human rights. I myself have been persevering in the West African country of Ghana since February 27, 2020, due to the coronavirus travel restrictions. As I watch from afar, I can't help but recall my first trip to Africa during January of 2015 and it being preceded by the protests of police killings of unarmed people of African descent, which at the time included Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice and others.
I am Rashad McCrorey, the owner of African Cross Culture. My back-to-Africa tourism company hosts trips to the African countries of Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. Three weeks prior to my first ever trip to Africa, which was Ghana, I protested in three different states in three straight days. I protested that Thursday in New York City, Friday in Madison, New Jersey, and, finally, Saturday in Washington, DC.
Feeling Tired and Frustrated
During that time, I remember feeling tired. I was tired of being on what I called the “Merry-go-round.” We would march in circles, protest, make some headlines and things would relax. Then later on, some new injustice would happen and the cycle would restart. I remember so many names — Rodney King, Amadou Diallo, Sandra Bland, Freddy Grey, Alton Sterling, Sean Bell, Trayvon Martin — respects to the hundreds and thousands not named. I was just tired of it. I was tired of making memes, videos, creative signs, memorizing chants and blisters on my feet. Scroll down my Instagram page, it’s all there. I was tired of the same failed and repeated strategies. I was ready for a war to be won, not a financial settlement for a family being mistaken for justice. I wanted to do something I actually believed would influence lives. Despite all the work I did under traditional civil rights methods, I felt powerless.
Ghanaian Support in 2015
For the previous months leading up to my trip, I began using social media to make connections with Ghanaians before my arrival. Once the Black Lives Matter and “I Can’t Breathe” movements began making international headlines, my Ghanaian allies were very supportive. I remember discussing human rights for Blacks in America during an interview with a prominent Ghanaian radio station. A popular Ghanaian sportscaster did an entire day of filming and documenting my early stay in the country. We discussed so many intimate topics. We talked about colonialism, religion, human rights — it was an interesting day.
Impact on Travel to Africa
My inquiries and bookings have increased the past few weeks. Black Americans want to get out of the country. The word “repatriate” is used a lot. I am not a fan of the word because its synonyms include exiled, banished and deported. However, I understand people want to escape systematic oppression.
Police brutality is the face that everyone sees, but we still deal with redlining, environmental injustice, educational injustices and more. We have seen No Child Left Behind, Obama Care and The First Step Act. The last three presidents attempted to enact some bill or law to address deficiencies, however, we need total systematic reconstruction.
What I am experiencing is many Black Americans having completely given up on the belief that America will ever change its fundamentals built on racism and exploitation. It is disappointing that my people are giving up on America, as America is rightfully our land. One can argue it’s the land of the African descendants of slavery more than any other American, no matter what classes are taken for citizenship or what the book in Ellis Island says.
____
Follow Rashad McCrorey on Instagram, or visit his website at ghcrossculture.com.
