Alex surprised by how at home she feels

 Cape Town is amazing. In only fourteen days I can already see why people love it so much. I weirdly feel more at home here than I do at school (despite my family being in the US) not only because people are much more friendly and caring, but there are far more people of color.  For the first time in my life I am not constantly reminded of being a minority and it is definitely refreshing. The breathtaking landscapes and unique animals as well as the complex history are even more fascinating than I had ever expected. One piece that touched me was that because of the color of my skin, I can immediately develop a connection with certain people. I have experienced a similar phenomenon in the U.S but not in as blatant a manner as I have here. During Vernon’s brief talks in the townships (Khayelithsa and Gugulethu in particular) when everyone on the street stared, the little kids walking by waved to me as if I was a familiar face. Also there have been numerous occasions where native South Africans have asked or assumed that I was a native as well. Despite not knowing my origins yet I am honored to be welcomed or thought to be grouped with such amazing people. Going off of this, while visiting the townships and learning about South Africa’s deep-rooted issues that have remained prevalent for years, I am becoming more aware of the great divide between classified groups.

I didn’t really come to Africa with much of an idea for what I would see or experience as I was so busy with the semester and preparing for the trip, but I have noticed many similar situations and experiences in my own life that are also prevalent in South Africa. For example, many of my family members belong to a Baptist church that we attend on occasion, I have been surrounded by people who have very little but still choose to believe and celebrate in the church, I have lived in the city and spoken/aided the homeless, I’ve learned about the devastating effects of segregation laws first hand from those I love, etc. Even with these prior experiences it has been different to be in a part of the world that is still so openly divided. After visiting all of the internship locations I am so excited to finally be able to integrate myself into the culture. I can’t wait to start those as well as the activist projects!

Personally, being away from home during this year’s inauguration has been a bit of a break from the political madness and unrest occurring on a larger scale back home. Despite the separation I am still saddened that in my first election I learned the harsh and honest truth that the U.S. is not as progressive and free from corruption as I had once thought. Though I am glad to escape for a little while, I can’t help but remember the tremendous joy, pride, and hope that followed after Obama’s victory. With my family members being so invested in him, when he won it was as if we had all won. You could really tell that he was there for the people and nothing else. After being at the inauguration eight years ago, I think that if I were in Cape Town in 2009, people would ask questions about Obama that were structured in a more positive light as he was the first African American who was able to break through the walls of oppression and racism to win the presidential election in one of the most powerful countries in the world. Each question would be filled with excitement and optimism versus the grief, worry, and fear that we feel now.