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I was totally impressed with Brazil last night. The Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony was well-rounded. It was a great lesson in telling your whole history. There was full representation. I was so happy to see so many Black faces because people of African descent make up the majority of the population there. The music and colors were electrifying. I was elated to see that they started with the rain forests and the indigenous people of the land. I was glad they showed when the Portuguese colonized the land. I was proud when they recognized their part in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. For the entire world to see they acknowledged that Brazil enslaved millions of Africans.
This was the most socially responsible Olympics Opening Ceremony I have ever seen. It was pretty much a Michael Jackson short film. They touched on world issues such as poverty, access to quality education, and global warming. They promoted the reforestation of their rain forests. Each nation had a kid bearing a tree that was to be replanted and when the athletes got to their spots it looked as if they were placing seeds into vials of some sort.
The US will never admit to the world any of their wrongdoings. The US is pretty much a world bully who is too busy trying to save face to live in its truth. I’ve never had a sense of national pride. I have never screamed USA USA USA! I don’t have a flag to fly in solidarity with my country men and women. I’m not sure if I even have a country. I found out that my maternal line is Hausa from Northern Nigeria, but can I fly the Nigerian flag? I’d me remiss to claim it as I am so far removed and as I cannot be sure of embrace or welcome. In that moment I felt like the odd man out. Everyone else I was with was able to connect with their country/continent of origin. They shouted out Thailand, Argentina, Paraguay, and Mexico with such pride. I just shouted for everybody.
I was so touched by the Refugee Olympic Team. In spite of they push on and compete when they have been displaced. Living for this dream, knowing well that when they get back to wherever home may be for them uncertainty and struggle will still be there. The pain of lost loved ones and dreams deferred may greet them at the door. It put things into perspective for me. I may be unemployed, but in the grand scheme of things, what do i really have to complain about?
Kudos to Brazil for pushing through in the face of adversity. The Opening Ceremony was a triumph. No Olympics games goes off without a hitch, but in these times we all need an escape. For just a couple of weeks it would be nice to forget police brutality, hunger, wars, refugees, terrorism, political upheavals and the like. It would be nice to root for the home team and feel proud to be whatever and whomever you are.
Estou muito orgulhoso do Brasil. Lutar através de irmãos e irmãs. Lutar através de. (I am so proud of Brazil. Fight through brothers and sisters. Fight through.)
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