The people are different here. Success and self consumes
their minds. The black people (or should I say Afro-American to be PC) are
different. They lack the hospitality and genuine spirit that Africans have. And
there isn't much culture, either. A memory flooded my mind about a week ago.
When I flew into Atlanta
for training camp 9 months ago, I dragged two 50 pound suitcases behind me, not
to mention a laptop over one shoulder and my purse on the other. I struggled as
I walked through the airport, sweat poured down my face. No one offered to help
me. I was lost and no one took the time to show me where I was supposed to go.
Eyes were locked forward, concentrated on their final destinations. If I had
been in South Africa,
there would have been someone right behind me, seeing my pain, gladly offering
assistance. Because that's the African way. We aren't individuals, we need each
other. When I shared this memory with my South African friends, they were
shocked.

As I sit on the airplane for the final leg of my journey
back to California,
there is a magazine in front of me entitled the "American Way." Ek. What does that even
mean? What's the American way? Because all I can see right now is
self-centeredness. Are we proud to be Americans, or just proud Americans?

I want to make it clear that I'm not ashamed to be American
or don't hate Americans or anything of the sort. I feel extremely blessed to be an American. Sometimes I try to imagine what my life might be like if I were born someone else, and I wouldn't have half of the opportunities I have here. It's just different here. I've
had paradigm shifts and I've seen things done a different way. A way that
values culture, relationship, and total trust in God. Living here makes it so
much easier to trust in ourselves. We have our money, our health insurance, car
insurance, fire insurance, flood insurance, and 401k's. Don't worry God, we got
it covered; no need to step in for us.