The Power of My Skin

In the pre-departure training we also talked about the "social power flower" and how our social standings will differ from Canada to Ghana. This can be related to your education, religion, age, etc. For example, elders are more respected in Ghana but in Canada it is usually 30-50 year olds. So lately I have found myself thinking so much about being white and how our skin defines us in so many ways.

Another intern in Ghana recently left (two months early), and one of the main reasons she went home was because of power dynamics- she felt so privileged because of her white skin and didn't like it (I don't blame her). For example, she said she wanted to do a sexual reproductive workshop for the girls clubs and was able to do so without any requirements. Her boss assumed that she knew everything about the topic because she was white and educated. Although this is largely possible, my Ghanaian friend brought up a good point about how her boss wouldn't want to insult her by asking her qualifications- which is hugely part of the Ghanaian culture. So that is one thought, but looking back on our social power flower- our currently unfinished undergraduate education is incredibly powerful in a country like Ghana.

Similarly, there is a huge amount of trust placed on us as white people. They trust our knowledge so much. To be honest, I was really bothered by the fact that just because our skin is white we are 'all knowing.' After discussing this with another friend, he mentioned a really important point that I want to share. As white people coming into developing countries, it is important that we work alongside nationals as well- but also, it is so important that we use our white "powerful" skin in the right way. We have white skin and we are praised for it and trusted because of it, but it is our responsibility as white people to use it appropriately. We must use the power that our white skin has to do good in the world, to use the trust wisely and to do better- certainly not to take advantage of anything or anyone. I thought this was incredibly wise- so I encourage you to be responsible with the white skin that you have- because the reality of it is that people do place a lot of trust in us and we do draw a lot of attention...

Another personal problem I am having also deals with being white... I feel strangely comfortable when I see white people around, I feel more in my comfort zone. Which I think is incredibly sad- and I don't like it at all. I love my Ghanaian friends but for some reason when I see another Obruni (white person) in town I feel obliged and excited to meet them and talk to them. I'm not sure if it is because I can have a more intelligent conversation about development issues or if I am exhausted of being a minority and being constantly stared at... regardless I feel comfortable and more inclined to talk to them- which is really strange.

I also had a similar experience when I went to the clinic and found the doctor to be a white man from the UK... I felt comfortable and felt as though he somehow had a better education and was more knowledgeable. I am finding myself incredibly judgmental lately and it scares me. The reality of it is, everything that the social power flower suggests is so true. Our education is more developed and I guess I trust in it more? I just find it really strange how comfortable I am with white people and how much even I, as a white person, trust in them...

Regardless, there is a lot of incredible information that the social power flower can offer. I encourage you to draw a flower and compare your powers between Canada and another country. Mark each petal as something different: age, gender, religion, health, education, etc. and put a mark on the petal where you think it stands- the closer to the middle of the flower the more powerful! It is really interesting to compare in the end!

It is difficult to be a white person in a developing country, especially when you don't want to impose your views (or the westernized views) on a completely different culture. It is definitely something you need to adapt to but something that you can learn a lot from! Any comments or questions are welcome!

Lots of Love,

Bianca