'We Didn't See A Lot Of Jungles'

One of the most impressive aspects of their trip to África was the warmth and friendliness of the people there. "A major accomplishment was an end to a lot of misunderstandings about the country and its people," commented one of the nine black high school students from b o t h Pioneer and Huron High who spent two weeks recently on a study-tour of West África. According to Pioneer Counselor Burel Ford, who accompanied, the group, students had the opportunity to observe different political systems and have interpersonal relationships with many of the African people. "We didn't see a lot of jungles and many of the people said they had never seen an elephant," explained Desmond Gary. Janet Gibson said that most of the African women wore braids and African garb ing tne day the people did not wear "Afro" hairstyles or dashiki's. But she added that at night the younger generation would come out in the latest fashions and Afro hairstyles, which are too hot for the daytime. "Most of the families followed a communal-style," said Gail Smith, "and each member was responsible for the other beyond our traditional roles of parents." All of the students indicated that seeing the slave castles in África had a great impact on them. "I couldn't believe what I saw and all of the things about slavery which we are never told," said Gary. The slave castles were described as being like small dungeons with holes in the ground about the size of a nine by 12 foot room, completely blackened. In these holes there would be 5 0 0 slaves packed for between three to six months before they would be herded aboard the slave sMps. The students also saw the balls and chains that were placed on the odiea of the Africans as they entered their slavery. The use of these slave castles were abolished by England about 1822. "Seeing the castles and projecting in our minds the horrible experience of slavery for our ancester was a unifying factor for all blacks in the U.S.," said another student. The African schools followed the traditional B r i t i s h style, with only the top students being admitted into colleges, said Debbie Frazier. The students must also pass a rigid set of exams before they are passed into high schools. But although there is a difference in the political and educational structures of the country, the students found that they had a great deal in c o m m o n and managed to learn a few dances and to also teach their African friends some of the latest ones in America. According to the group, pop singer James Brown is very popular along with singer Roberta Flack with African young adults. "We all bought a lot of African carvings," material and books," said Marlys Thompson, "and most of the articles were cheaper there." There was a message transmitted from África to here, which the group conveyed as a message for everyone . . . "African people are willing to accept anyone who is willing to contribute." Students who took the trip were Rosalind Cobb, Debbie Frazier, Desmond Gary, Janet Gibson, Alice Munson, Jackie Rowry, Gail Smith, Richard Smith and Marlys Thompson. The trip is believed to be the first tour of África ever sponsored by an American High School. It was approved by the Ann Arbor Board of Education last year to be taken during spring vacation in 1972.