• 3 days ago
"Not having to worry about your freedom as a Black person... That is the ultimate goal for me."

In 2019, Deijha Gordon uprooted her American life and moved to Ghana. Here's why she did it.
Transcript
00:00So let's have a conversation in tree. This is my boat driver. Yeah, and he's teaching me tree. So where are you going?
00:08Who quickie?
00:10Okay
00:18Not having to worry about
00:20Your freedom as a black person
00:23You're right as a human being that is the ultimate goal for me
00:28And I think that is why I decided and it was a no-brainer for me to
00:32Part of why I decided to move to Ghana as well because of this free feeling
00:49They call it the motherland for a reason I feel like I'm being hugged when the wind blows
00:55The Sun just kisses my skin differently. It's such a good feeling to be somewhere where you are welcomed
01:02It's such a good feeling to be able to contribute back to the motherland when you leave
01:08I'm sure you'll take with you splendid memories that will enhance further our
01:14Common identity as black people you will always have a home here with us
01:25You
01:35Sometimes I sit like I'm gonna get teary-eyed because I used to be so miserable
01:42Back at work and now me actually living a dream
01:47It's just is it's it's really amazing to me what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself
01:54When you follow God's lead when you are able to hear and listen to the answers, and I just knew that it will be
02:02Significant and I wanted to be here specifically during that time. It was such a beautiful thing to see so many
02:11People from all over the world so many black people from all over the world
02:17Experiencing the motherland
02:25You
02:37My first time here Ghana reminded me so much of Jamaica, I'm following my ancestors
02:43I feel like they definitely called me back home. We are
02:47becoming aware of
02:50What we didn't know and
02:52we are also taking action to change a narrative of what we were taught Africa was like this is a
03:00live video of my uber driver
03:04Telling us to come back home
03:07This is yours
03:10Belongs to you. We love you
03:13This is your own
03:15Don't take yourself for granted. This is your route come back home and rest
03:23This is your restful place
03:37Starting the business was not easy
03:40but I believe that because
03:42So many Ghanaians are actually happy and excited that I came back home
03:49and I'm willing to give up my
03:53Western world they are willing to help me. I'm so thankful that they're welcoming me home
03:59It has not been easy, but it definitely has been rewarding just off of my personal growth
04:05Just off of being here in them in Africa in Ghana
04:10being able to
04:12provide jobs for Ghanaians
04:14To hire Ghanaians to help make their life better. It's just a great feeling
04:19This food is amazing
04:21Trust me, it's f***ing amazing
04:25You can see I have two glasses here
04:39This was not expected
04:42I love it
05:00My plan for the future is definitely to continue to educate
05:04Black people on what Africa is like it doesn't matter how far or how long we were separated
05:10We are here now. We are returning now and
05:13Come and be a part of this growth. I'm living my ancestors wildest dreams
05:17I always consider my ancestors because I just imagine what they went through and I always wonder if I'm making them proud
05:24How do they feel that I'm back here?
05:26actually
05:28following their steps of guidance