Cameroon Shifts Students’ Perspective on Africa

Mike Habegger February 19, 2009 No Comments

Clayton Rosa
Staff Reporter

If the Africa we know comes from the representations streaming through our radios and news mediums, then Africa can be generalized in few words: famine, disease, war — and the all encompassing ? genocide. However, for four African-American students, their experience shined a light upon the “dark continent” that is rarely reflected within the U.S. today.

Dr. Debora Johnson-Ross, Assistant Professor of Political Science, has organized three Jan Term trips to Cameroon; however, the latest trip had a makeup that was unlike previous trips, in regards to the fact that a majority of the students were African-American.

Johnson-Ross first traveled to Cameroon in 1995, where she learned of herself in ways she never imagined. “The experience was life-changing,” Johnson-Ross says, “however clich? that sounds.” In organizing these trips, she desires to impart this experience onto McDaniel students.

LaShawntay Tinker ’09 did not expect what is traditionally viewed as the wildlife of Africa but reinforced that, “I have to let my experience form my opinion.”

Jennifer Beckwith ’09 conveyed that Africa is generally portrayed “negatively, although I never personally believed that that is everything Africa has to offer.” According to these students, Africa to them is more than gloomy portrayals, but rather a beautiful culture.

April Curley ’09 first realized she made it to Africa when her eyes set on the landscape as their vehicle moved further away from the airport.

Beckwith and Genai Moore ’09 discerned a feeling of belonging, of gazing into the crowds of people that resembled them and being immediately comforted.

The one memorable moment they shared was a service project with LINK UP, a NGO dedicated to the betterment of orphan children through education, where they delivered schoolbooks to students.

Curley described that, “to see them excited about books was amazing.” They continued by detailing the eagerness to learn that the students embodied regardless of the limited resources.

In the end, gratefulness resonated within all four students. “I was humbled that these people had this peace even in what they didn’t have,” Curley said.

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