"We are all one people. We all have the same color blood."

For some reason, I've recently come to enjoy beginning with a quote of some sort. They serve as a great foundation, and really seem to get me thinking.

Even though I've always been for equality, integration, justice, and everything else, that particular notion has never entered my mind- we really do all have the same color blood. Although the above is, as far as we know, completely true, history doesn't quite seem to illustrate our belief in it.

I heard the above from a young man I met the first time I went to Beacon House, the orphanage where I've been spending my Thursday afternoons. What is unique about this person was not only that he said one of the most profound things that I've ever heard, but also the context in which it was brought up.

Someone who has known him for the greater part of the last decade introduced me to him; let's call him Richard. Richard took my hand, and placed it in the hand of this young philosopher. Richard then touched my arm, saying I wasn't like him, stating that I was white, while he was black. He did this not to state the obvious, or even to bring out something that should be trivial. He did this because the young man I had just met could not see.

That's what has given these two simple sentences such great meaning for me. Although he truly could not see the difference in our skin color, he made a point that every single person should take note of. I know focusing on the physical, visible aspects of a person is not something that we can completely ignore. I think this belief is just something that reaffirms why we should trust that "what's on the inside" is what really matters.

There have been few days that have passed where I haven't thought about this. The ingenuity of this declaration is also something that has fueled my feelings, both good and bad, towards what I read is going on back home. I know millions are distraught over the economy, job loss, health insurance- you name it. People will always find something to complain about, because it's inevitable that we will all agree on anything.

Then I read about the true insanity of some Americans. Whether it's a somewhat inappropriate comment made by a Democrat in response to an audience member at a town hall meeting, or a Republican's outburst during the President's speech to Congress, I can't help but feel at least a little embarrassed for the direction of our country, and how we appear to the rest of the world. I was a little surprised to read that since I've been gone, we've become a socialist, or maybe communist, depending on what type of conservative you ask, country, and the President will be taking over… EVERYTHING.

Then, our President wants to address the students of the nation during their first week of school, and the American people are absolutely livid. I think, or at least thought, the President was supposed to serve as a leader for our nation, a role model for our nation's youth. I guess in the eyes of some, this was only an opportunity to spread socialist propaganda. It actually makes me a little ill that some people truly believe this. Wait- this is Kyle's Study Abroad in Ghana, not Kyle's Anger Towards America's Insane (Mainly Conservative But Some Liberal) People and Politicians. So…

This weekend a few friends and I went to Ho, a region about 3 hours away from where we're staying at the University. We hiked to the top of Mt. Gemi, and the view was absolutely worth the gallons of perspiration that dripped off my body the entire walk up. Seeing villages below, bluffs on the horizon, and Lake Volta in the distance was a beautiful sight, and the amount of green was almost overwhelming- something we're not used to in the capital of Accra, where red dirt is e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

We also went to a kente-weaving village, and saw the effort and detail that goes into making this remarkable fabric. It's quite extraordinary to see firsthand how some of these things are made, and the amount of time it takes to craft such unique designs.

It was great to get away from the 'hustle and bustle' of the city and university life. Maybe it was only fate that I would have my wallet stolen the night I returned to downtown Accra. I hope he does something wonderful with that 7 cedis ($4.82), and copies of my passport picture page and birth certificate.

Happy birthday to Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence, and subsequently became the first President 52 years ago. He would have turned 100 today.

Happy Peace Day.

And it only seems fitting…

Happy U.S. General announces more troops needed in Afghanistan Day.