I’m guessing here, but it can’t be a far stretch to believe that members of an Erie trade delegation currently visiting Africa will come home with a new perspective on living in America.
The group, which includes Erie School Director Gary Horton and Erie Art Museum Director John Vanco, woke up in Nairobi, Kenya last week to the sounds of chaos.
Hundreds of people were being killed and perhaps thousands injured after questionable election results kicked off riots in the street.
The delegation had to drive by car to Tanzania, past burning tires, screaming children and armed men.
Two police checkpoints threatened to end the exodus but the group did make it to safety.
Unbelievably, the plan is to re-enter the country and resume the trip until the group heads to the Nairobi Airport January 17th.
Traveling between internet cafes, Horton has used this space to stay in touch with his hometown, telling me how watching one country melt down has made him appreciate the stability of his own:
“I am reminded of how good we Americans really have it despite our many challenges” he wrote.
“We sometimes take our way of life for granted and often do not appreciate our democracy.”
It’s a fair point when you remember that all of this started over an election.
Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki won re-election with a vote count opponents saw as less than honest.
In fact, some of the fiercest fighting was in Kibaki strongholds.
In all so far, the United Nations says that 486 have died and some 250,000 have been displaced.
Thousands of others were injured, with wounds caused by guns, spears, machetes and even bare hands.
Compare that to Americans rolling their eyes at yet another story about another primary race in another small, far away state.
Indeed, Gary, we often do not appreciate our democracy until coming face to face with the alternatives.
Horton and the rest of the delegation did just that last week, which led to just one more request:
“Please keep me in your prayers that I can return to the USA safely.”
Indeed we shall.