PHD

Hahaha. Hahaha. It is most unusual to start an article with laughter. I just did. The title ‘PHD’ does not refer to the degree but rather it is an acronym. I will get round to it soon if you have not figured it out by now.

I live in the USA and I have seen development. I try to create an intercourse between my Ghanaian culture and the American norms. I try to create a hybrid that is peculiar to the Ghanaian family of today. I refuse to believe in the culture that places the woman on the pedestal of a servant or second rate citizen. I charge you never to carry the negatives from the marriage of your parents into yours.

I will not say or defend wholly American norms. The USA is a melting pot of different cultures. I will not dwell on all these cultures but only one or two.

I will start with the Chinese. Every Chinese restaurant is staffed by Chinese. I hardly see any other nationality in there .  As time goes on, you realise the senior waiters and waitresses are nowhere to be found. They are replaced by a younger generation. The senior ones are also assisted to set up their own restaurants. The same can be said of the Indians when it comes to convenience stores and gas stations. It is nice. It is beautiful. They prop each other; they help; they assist one another.

Now welcome home. Home to my Ghanaian community. Do we assist or do we pull down? Hence my title ‘ PHD’- Pull Him/Her Down. It is easy for someone you know to deride you on your blindside to potential would be clients or audience. They do it for the simple reason that they lack the skill which you have, makes you a target of hatred; an enemy of their progress; detrimental to their well being. They have to bring you down at all cost. That is when they refuse to acknowledge the truth and persistently try to ensure that their whims are carried. They go against all known norms.

What will it take to admire and encourage and stand solidly behind one of our own? What will it take to make people realise we are not all cut from the same cloth? What will it take to make people think with a conscience? What will it take to stop destroying one another?

As for me, as long as I have breathe of life, I will encourage and support. If it is not your forte, hey, I will tell you. Until then only you can make that needed CHANGE!!