Learning to be a super citizen

A few months ago, a Cameroonian asked me who I intend to vote for in the upcoming presidential election. To my surprise he knew all about the US elections (as do most Cameroonians) and said to me frankly “Just know that your vote isn’t just for you, it’s a vote for the world, and you’ve been given the privilege to represent us.” He is absolutely right. Every decision made by the United States- be it international trade, a local government setting manufacturing regulations, or a teenager buying a car—it all affects the rest of the world, and on a much larger scale than we realize. So with this last blog, I will discuss what I have learned and what I hope others can gain from my experiences.

Patience:

Cameroon requires more patience than I can begin to explain. Cameroonians have lived relatively peacefully under a “dictatorship” for over 25 years. Living there requires more patience than I knew I had in me. For example, I can now sit on a bus for 8 hours without thinking to complain. I just take my mind elsewhere.

My first re-introduction into Western life happened in the Zurich airport, 9 hours away from Douala. There was a third security line before entering the plane where everyone was to have his or her passport scanned. I knew every American in line because every American was complaining. Finally one mother said to her daughter “hey, this isn’t so bad think of what all the non U.S. citizens had to do in order to get to this 15 minute line.” I turned around and thanked her for her awareness. 75% of Cameroonians are denied Visa’s to the U.S. after weeks of interviews and fees. Even with a Visa they might be denied entry. We have it easy waiting in that security line. Let’s not take that for granted!

Personal Space:

I can sleep in a bed alone or I can sleep in a bed with 5 kids. I can be alone for a week straight or, those same kids that share my bed can also surround me every hour of the day. Having personal space is an American cultural habit and luxury. When waiting in lines we create personal bubbles. That bubble is popped in Cameroon. Most Cameroonian households have one room for sleeping and one room as a living room.

This is a part of our culture that I appreciate. I think it does bring families closer in Cameroon (both literally and physically), but I do appreciate my space, especially if the guy behind has a bad odor!

Putting up the good fight:

I am a fighter. I discuss, debate, defend, and don’t give up unless there is a compromising resolution or I win. I argue a lot with men over women’s freedoms, but the arguments continue and blend into corruption, race, money, religion and basically anything that I feel I am being judged, taken advantage of, or am morally obligated to fight for. These convictions lead to exhaustion, but I have a good non-violent punch, even in French!

I credit our culture for developing an education and government system that allows us to openly debate. Classroom settings that invite discussion and student interactions really prepared me for many of the obstacles I overcame.

Race matters:

Living in a country in which people of my race make up about .001 percent of the population, race is a definite factor. Many times it works in my favor as I can walk into many government building and have a meeting right on the spot. I receive unacceptable and ungrounded respect solely because I am white. People believe that with white skin comes money, and more than often in the developing world, they are right. It’s disturbing how Cameroonians will judge other Cameroonians because they are brown, black, red, or some mixture between. It’s disturbing that every time I buy something I must divide it by a third just to start bartering or that I was denied buying a bus ticket last week. Would I be able to do the things I have done had I been born Asian or Arab? Would you look at me in the same way? Would Cameroonians look at me in the same way? There is a lot of baggage, stereotypes and prejudice in this world and it is as infuriating as it is ludicrous.

The questions I hated answering to Cameroonians the most were about race. Raised in the south I constantly question how far our country has come in the past 50 years. I usually say that people lack exposure to other kinds of people and have a hard time accepting everyone. Comments like “well I’m not racists but…”
or “ You wouldn’t date a black guy would you?” are in fact typical racist comments. I end with “there are all kinds of people, both accepting and not.”

Everyone should know what it feels like to be the minority on the bus, to look around and have no one else look or talk like you. It should be an obligation or rite of passage for every human. I think a lot of idiotic practices and misunderstandings would be worked out.

Singing and Dancing are life:

I can’t walk down the street in the United States and comfortably sing as loud as I want and possibly do a hip shake. People will think I am strange. In Cameroon, however, people will join in. No one is inhibited to dance or sing; it is appreciated. This may be the biggest part of Cameroonian culture that I will miss.

Respect for elders:

A great perk to Cameroon is the respect for elders. You never need to know anyone’s name. Literally you look at someone and call them sister, mom, grandma, father, brother depending on your age and their age. It’s fantastic and makes you feel more at ease when talking to strangers. Furthermore if I see a boy between the age of 10 and 15 on the street and I need something, all I do is call him and he is obligated to do what I ask. I have never been, nor seen anyone be, denied of this act. The boys outside my house even argue over who gets to throw my bucket of trash out each week.

I think we have lost some of our respect for grand parents and parents as (and I am speaking from a youth perspective) we are given opportunities to travel and start our own lives. Listening to first hand stories of WWII, the civil rights movement, and the cold war are important. Lessons can be learned and as we grow as a nation that incorporates peoples from all over the world, we should celebrate our pasts and the grandparents who shaped it.

So what have I learned? What kind of message do I want to spread? How am I dealing living in the world of “haves” after living with “have nots”? The United States is an undeniable world super power. We are a population of privileged people. Yes, there are struggling families and yes there are many Americans living in poverty, but there is opportunity here. Our standard of living is incredible high, as are our expectations. Something I don’t think any Cameroonian, even the richest, can comprehend unless he or she has visited. I am grateful: without our ambitions and strength I would not have the education that I have as my foundation. I would not have the money to do my work with Breaking Ground. I am proud to be an American.

So what do I ask of you and of myself? I ask that you who live in a super nation become, or continue to improve on being, a super citizen. Be proud of your successes, but realize that with privilege comes responsibility and we have a responsibility to aid our fellow human beings. This can be done in many ways. It starts with being aware. Ask yourself “What do I want verses what I NEED?” and “what can I do?” Be aware that local actions really do affect the rest of the world.

Study the world map and read up on current politics. Find Cameroon! Study charities and ask loads of questions before donating. Know where your money is going! Harmful development is everywhere, be aware! Call me and ask how you can be involved with Breaking Ground!!!

Shop smart at the grocery store. Know where your fruits are coming from. Are they out of season? If they came from across the country, how much gas or resources did it take to get them there? Are the same products sold locally, organically? Do you recycle? Where does your bag of trash go when you throw it on the curb?

I understand that everyone can’t go to Cameroon. I also understand that many people have no interest in going to Cameroon. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to fall in love with such a diverse, beautiful and controversial nation and to have been so accepted.

Breaking Ground is starting to do major fundraising. We have proven ourselves as a legitimate and hard working NGO in Cameroon. In the last year we have aided in building a bridge that affects 34,000 people; educated over 100 women in business practices and aided 14 in launching their own enterprises. Multiplying that by the average family number of 8 that means we made a positive impact in the lives of 800 people by empowering the female responsible for their family. Over 150 girls are playing in the Breaking Ground Football league with a volunteer staff of 20. The Lindsay Clarke library remains the centerfold of the village of Doumbou….And we have our first non-board member volunteer in the West province working to help farmers gain free trade status and see more of the benefits when selling their coffee!

As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Let’s live simply. Be aware. Act locally. Vote. Give to Breaking Ground.

Let’s be super citizens.