Africa is a country, isnt it? Isnt it??? (Or the *???* moments you have to contend with when youre an artist working in education). Ive been booked to go work in a school during its Africa Day. At the time I was booked, I was told it was specifically because I am a Ghanaian poet and writer and it was fine to just focus on just Ghana. Finalising details a couple of days ago, I explain to the organising teacher (different to the one whod booked me in the first place) that I will be telling the kids a Ghanaian story. All seems well at first then I get an email: We have just realised that you said a story from Ghana. The stories or poems will need to be different please, depending on the Country that the children are learning about that day. We really hoped that they would hear poems and stories from the culture that they are learning about (Egypt/Ethiopia etc). Basically, they are looking at 9 countries, including Ghana, in Africa. I bite my lip to compose a polite response email that doesnt say what I really want to say: Ah. I had understood that it was mainly because I am Ghanaian that I was being booked. This means that I will have to source, learn and memorise material from all those countries. My background is Ghanaian so most of the African stories/poems I know tend to be Ghanaian. Given that you require me to do all this extra preparation before I get to the school, I wonder if my fee for the day could be increased to reflect this? Im waiting to hear from her. Meanwhile, Im weaving a basket that will contain African stories for any eventuality. I want to be ahead of the game for the next time I get called upon to be a professional African.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:00:33 +0000
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