Ravneet is humbled to be a guest in this country

I am convinced that Cape Town is the most beautiful place in this world. Stepping outside the airport and smelling the warm air, I am so ready for this adventure. It feels like I've been waiting for so long, but it's surreal to know that I've finally made my way here after 24 hours of traveling. The drive from the airport to our house was astounding. I looked outside the right side window and saw these lovely quaint homes, and after hearing someone gasp, I looked over to the left side window and saw thousands of small metal and wood shacks, squishing into each other. It was crazy to see the stark contrast of living situations and extreme poverty, divided by just a highway, a mere 100 feet. These familiar shacks made me think of those that are India, where they are quite common. My thoughts about the after effects of apartheid pushed into the back of my head as I see these glorious mountain ranges coming up in the distance: Table Mountain, and Devil's Peak welcome our arrival. 

I am so humbled to be a guest in this country, to learn from the people and history, and to grow my mind and experience in future social justice work. We arrived at our home, and it is so beautiful and comfortable. Erica and I picked the most perfect room for us; a high ceiling bedroom in the corner, facing the backyard pool. I am ecstatic to see the rest of the neighborhood and surrounding towns. The next fews days started our orientation week. We ventured around Rondebosch, our neighborhood, and then went to eat dinners in down town. The city is absolutely breath taking, and everywhere I step, I learn about another part of Cape Town history. I have already met so many influential people that have lived through the forced removals, or have ancestors from indigenous tribes, and to hear such personal stories makes me so emotional, and so hungry to learn more. Every day I learn something new, and I cannot wait to see what others are willing to teach me!  

 

Rav at the Women's March in Cape Town

Then comes Trump's Inauguration. How ashamed I am to call myself an American, sometimes. The only hope I have is in the people, in my people of all colors and genders and shapes and sizes, to come together, and fight for their rights. We will not be silent. We are resilient. And I have seen this at the Womxn's March held in Cape Town. We rallied and protested and we stood up. I will never stop fighting for the importance of our voice and existence. Trump will never be my President, as I will never let myself be oppressed. Being an American in Cape Town is a very interesting experience. I am asked on almost a daily basis of my opinions, and sometimes it is exhausting to keep reminding myself about the injustices happening in the US. Every day I cannot believe what is happening in the U.S., and I almost feel a disconnect because I am not there, physically.