An American in Zimbabwe

Harare, October 4th 2013

Nikkole Salter is currently in Zimbabwe teaching six promising Zimbabwean Playwrights in Almasi's First Training Exchange! Almasi asked Nikkole, "What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far?" Here's what she said:

It was an inspirational moment to reach our first week's benchmark where participants presented their ideas for the plays they would begin to develop in the following weeks. After a jam-packed week of fundamentals it was rewarding to see them all immediately applying their knowledge to their story outlines. It's going to be exciting to see them manifest their explorations on karma, moral duty, romantic love, justice and dreams on the page... and eventually on the STAGE!

The biggest lesson I've learned so far is how much white supremacy and western values dominate my perspectives on the world and Africa... how American I am....and how important travel and first-hand experience helps to dispel (or to give a more thorough picture of) the stereotypes and single-stories perpetuated. It brings me shame to know I harbor such thoughts on a subconscious level and such gratitude for the opportunity to work with Almasi. I've also learned how technologically dependent I am - talk about withdrawal!