Back to Africa on an Obama High

I just got to Cape Town after 29 hours of (relatively easy) travel from Los Angeles, and after 16 years of being away from the Capetown of my youth. I'm traveling with my wife of 10 years, my two elementary-school sons, and my mom -- who brought me and my sister from South Africa all those years ago.

The international terminal at Dulles is cleared out just 3 days after the inauguration. Or perhaps they haven't left yet, still basking in the glow before traipsing back to Abu Dhabi, Conakri, and Johannesburg.

We arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and proceed through the green channel -- "Nothing to declare." As we emerge from the sterile customs area, we hear singing & whistling. But not just any singing. Some of the oldest singing known to man, and for sure, the oldest known to my ears and heart.

A group of black South Africans are crowded just outside the glass doorway from which passengers emerge. At first glance, they seem to be overjoyed at the return of a loved one. There are hugs. But there is also the singing.

Tribal. Rhythmic.

But that misses the essence of the thing. I'm virtually certain all 30 or 40 of them have their hearts beating in sync. A metronome couldn't measure this beat. The intelligence here is older than the Renaissance. Perhaps a parallel to Obama's intelligence. Grounded in his father's African roots, but deeply influenced by his mother's mid-western values, his first-hand relationships with Indonesians in Jakarta, Puerto Ricans in Harlem, and WASP's in Cambridge.

Then I see the signs. "Yes We Did." "Go Obama!" They're dancing and holding them up as they sing in unbelievable unison and harmony at the same time. There are two African men in tribal headdresses that have emerged from our Dulles-Joburg flight. They were clearly at the inauguration. Their loved ones have come to welcome them home. And what a welcome.

My first reaction is to feel tears well up in my eyes at the feeling of my musical home. But why? I was part of the 20% white minority, and I was under 10 years old. We were incredibly segregated. This music couldn't have been at the Blue Route Center where we shopped, or piped into the Acapulco steakhouse or La Perla Italian restaurant. I don't remember seeing it on the streets, or hearing it from my beloved maid's radio. So why is in my bones, the DNA for which has nothing to do with Africa. I'm Dutch, Spanish, Lithuanian, and Russian - not the world's most noted rhythmic cultures.

But the tears don't lie. This is home. This is my music. These feel like my people. Even though I'm ashamed to say that. I can't claim any part of their suffering or hardship as my own. I was a young bystander, and my suburban house, and clean school, and BMW in the driveway were all acquired on the backs of their indenture.

I then imagine being a black South African, and realize that for the very first time in the modern era, a black-skinned man is the king of the world. There have been plenty of empires before the modern American one, but none has had a black-skinned leader. Until now.

I can only begin to imagine the relief. "He understands our suffering." "He won't let us be massacred like the rest." "He won't let our children die of starvation."

I want to weep. But I don't let myself. It's waayyy too much about me. And I'm not much of a spectacle-maker. So I stand against the marble counter of the Thomas Cook Currency Exchange, and feel my heartbeat, my body moving uncontrollably with their thumping, reeling vocal prayer of thanks and welcome back, the salty water of life encircling my eyes and dripping down some invisible channel to my heart, which is so deeply happy and relieved for us all.

Comments

[AhnAmuru]

Here's a list of of African empires, some from antiquity; Mali, Songhai, Bunyoro - Kitara, Ethiopia, Egypt, Monomotapa, ...

[Klimb]

Need I say anymore... mighty well stated!

[papapj]

Honest question, Brent;

Do you consider yourself to be an African-Am­erican...b­rother?

[plugger]

I also imagine that most of Africa knows that Barack has some mighty big footsteps to follow in after the accomplishments of Pres Bush in Africa over the years

[AhnAmuru]

Bush's "accomplishments" in Africa are overated.

Ask the folks in Darfur; he turned his back as they died (genocide), Ethiopia; 100,000 plus political leaders (hobnobbed with dictators), ...

Depends on whom you ask.

[Klimb]

...and Northern Uganda.

[AhnAmuru]

Clarification:

Ethiopia; 100,000 plus POLITICAL PRISONERS ...

[JeffmChicago]

Thanks for sharing that story. I've seen movies about Apartheid and some travel show about S.A. but never imagined ever wanting to visit there because of the distance and quite frankly the cost. I hope Obama's presidency give new life to all the people of South Africa but especially the blacks as they have a mountain to climb to get to where blacks of the USA (civil rights act) are at this time.

[GrainOSand]

"I'm Dutch, Spanish, Lithuanian, and Russian - not the world's most noted rhythmic cultures."

Anyone can dance and anyone can love. Both have a lot to do with abandonment or,

"You have to dance as if no one is watching and love without fear of being hurt or without expectation of a reciprocal benefit -- love for the sake of love itself."

Based on your reported connection to what you heard and saw Mr. Kessel, it sounds as if you have rhythm as well as love. Good for you. I was especially glad to hear your understanding of the disparity in existence that was and is your life compared to many of the native South African people. It is good to hear that people are finding inspiration in the election of Mr. Obama. Though he cannot address individual needs, those inspired may find benefit in a call to do more and to be better.

[MPeter]

Thanks Brent. Thank you for sharing. Africa feels the pride. the world feels the pride. everyone sees Obama in their experience. He is humble. He is gentle. He is powerful. He is not the typical face of power and oppression. He is hope. he is the promise for justice and fairness; the articulation of all what we felt but could never verbalize. I can understand your emotions; your helplessness even as you felt empowered and vindicated. We universally shared this in Obama. Amandla.

[papapj]

Awethu..!