PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Scholars, ambassadors, and mentors for Rites of Passage and Empowerment were welcomed home recently after flying across the Atlantic Ocean to Ghana for a memorable journey to experience its culture and honoring their ancestors' history. 

 

"We spent some time at the University of Ghana, and we danced, and we danced, and we learned and we learned. We talked about history, but one of the most magnificent things that they did was they welcomed us home," ROPE founder Shirley Edgerton said. 

 

"You have to really think about that, African Americans going to West Africa, the heart of where over 12 million Africans was shipped into enslavement. ... it caused a pause in our hearts and our minds to think about where we were, and our ancestors that stood on this ground, our ancestors that were put in boats and entered the door that's called 'entry of no return.'"

 

Residents and community leaders including City Councilor Peter White, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and, and Berkshire United Way President Thomas Bernard gathered on Aug. 25 as ROPE scholars spoke of how the experience had affected them.

 

Many of the scholars remarked how the Ghana trip provided them with new experiences and has inspired them to learn about different cultures beyond America. 

 

"I am grateful for being able to travel to Ghana and experience all of the wonderful things there. I am the youngest in the ROPE’s program and Ghana was my first plane ride ever," Meilani Hamilton said

 

"Visiting the marketplace, the botanical gardens, the beach and the university were some of my favorite times. As well as teaching the kids math at the Good Shepherd schools." 

 

Although scholar Cashay Young was nervous at first with the help of everyone's smiling faces and happy environment she soon started to feel a connection. 

 

"I met a group of girls that are my age and shortly after I noticed they seemed so happy with what they had in life. When I look at most teenage girls in Massachusetts and even America, we’re overall never happy with the things we're given in life, like simply free education," Young said. 

 

"But these guys were so happy and took their education seriously. I couldn't help but think how America would be if there were people like this here that took nothing for granted. I noticed that we need change here in America and I hope to start this change myself because this opportunity has opened my eyes to what this world is outside of America." 

 

The experiences that the scholars had while visiting the slave castle opened their eyes to the truth behind their ancestors and caused Young to wonder what it would have been like if her ancestors were never taken and brought to America. 

 

"Would things have been better or maybe even worse? I wish this was a question that could have an answer but unfortunately no one knows," Young said. 

 

"Overall I can happily say that this was the best experience I've had this far in life and being enrolled has inspired me to travel and learn about different cultures and lifestyles in places beyond."

 

Patterns started to emerge between countries and the African diaspora as well as the use of Christianity to justify "the evil things they did to enslave Africans," scholar Zoe-Ruth Brizan said. 

 

"When I landed in Ghana, it was reminiscent of returning home. Comparing Ghana to Grenada was inevitable, but the resemblance is uncanny. Whether it be the topography, or people's mannerisms," she said

 

"I am beginning to recognize a pattern with countries and the African diaspora that were colonized by Europeans. These countries are rich in natural resources yet there are people who were once wealthy now stricken in poverty. Europeans amassed immense wealth by plundering colonies stripping their culture, sense of community, trust and wealth. Despite the evidence of being hardworking and industrious people, they are still impoverished."

 

The religious and manipulative tactics depleted the country's resources causing people to lack basic amenities and conveniences such as education, Brizan said. 

 

"For example at Cape Coast, the male slave dungeon is under the chapel. European manipulative tactics are predictable. They recycle the strategy of building relationships deceiving these innocent people, betraying them and stealing their precious possessions," she said. 

 

"The lasting effect of colonization has depleted the country's resources, the people lack even the basic amenities and conveniences. Traveling to Ghana has taught me a greater sense of gratitude, and has helped me be cognizant of the American privilege I have." 

 

Many young women who have participated in the ROPE program have moved on to futures that, they said, they never could have imagined. 

 

One former scholar has been accepted into an internship program with the FBI. 

 

"These are some incredible young people and I'm not going to pretend that when some came in they had issues at the [District Attorney's] office, juvenile courts, had issues in the school system, social services system, but the reality is, we have incredible young people in our community, and we can't be labeled them with negativity. They all have possibilities. I'm telling you, I'm a living witness. They all have possibilities," Edgerton said. 

 

The ROPE program not only helps these young women develop their identity and understand their rich history, it also serves as an opportunity for them to give back to their community. 

 

"Part of the programming is that we ask people to give back that [which] you've received. We ask that you give back in your community, you choose to get involved," Edgerton said.

 

"My hope is that they choose to get involved with other young people and share the gifts and talents that they have and the skills that had been given to them through the program." 

 

ROPE continues to shift and change based on the needs of its mentees, who build a relationship with the program, providing them with a lifelong support system and the means to give back.

 

In partnership with the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, ROPE has created an Emergency Scholarship to ensure that the scholars always have support.

 

"It's one thing for us to nurture them, and support them and send them off to college. But guess what, when we send them there, we have to continue to be present. And we've learned that the hard way," Edgerton said.

 

"One of the things we've learned about some of our first-generation students is they will go and won't tell us the struggles that they're having. So one of the things that we've done is we've created regional mentors." 

 

They have also partnered with the Good Shepherd Orphanage and International School to provide people to sponsor a child from Ghana or contribute to the salaries of the educators and staff.  

 

The cost is based on the age of the recipient but can range from $60 to $75 per term. 

 

For more information, contact Edgerton at shirleyann1.edgerton@gmail.com. ROPE also accepts donations for scholarships and college tours. Checks can be mailed to Rites of Passage and Empowerment program, 56 Dexter St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.