Colette Eloi – Blog #3

Now that I am on the other side of Performing Diaspora where I presented the piece “The Politics of Poverty” – Sankofa Wisdom, I would just like to say whew. I really enjoyed all the different cultural groups and learning more about their artistry.

Looking into the subject of Poverty was painful on my heart. The statistics that I found relating the people of the African Diaspora and poverty were shocking and depressing. The subject is quite mammoth and I think that I just presented a very small part. The list of elements which affect this problem rages from: the triangle slave trade, unfair IMF laws, greed, mis-education, colonization, mechanization, imperialism and mental slavery, and corrupt leaders, to name a few. In an age where humans are accomplishing the most amazing things in many realms, maybe being “humane” will become a valuable attribute too. In Ghana and Haiti and Cuba I didn’t see as many people on the street as I did in the U.S… While in the U.S. I have seen people step over people on the street, in Cuba there was no one begging on the street. In Haiti, on a seven month stay I saw two people, but everyone knew who they were, they had a mental illness and the community was aware of them, they were not invisible. They would get picked up sometimes and feed. In Ghana I saw no people on the street. I did see a mentally ill woman running down the street and a group of local business women chasing her and clothing her and deciding what should be done. There was a type of richness of soul in those “poor” countries that is not always seen here.

I do want to comment on businesses here that have a lot of soul like Café Gratitude, different Eco businesses, different individual that donate funds. I hope that this trend continues. There are also large businesses that mask themselves as if they are being philanthropic, eco friendly, and conscience. We must pay attention and do our part and stay connected to our soul.