American rapper, singer, model, and actor, Daniel Dwayne Simmons III, better known by his stage name Diggy Simmons is thankful to Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Bozoma Saint John and Jake O. Bediako for an introduction to his truth about Africa after the just concluded Full Circle Festival.
Diggy Simmons took to his Instagram page to reveal that his perception about Africa has changed a great deal after his visit to Ghana.
The fourth child of 80s’ rapper, Rev Run, Diggy, now 23-year, first came into prominence as a 10-year-old when he co-starred in his family’s MTV reality show, Run’s House.
Here’s what he had to say…
“Perhaps I’m ignorant. Perhaps I have been for some time now. Many of my perceptions, or misperceptions rather, were overdue to be rightfully shattered. It’s a shame – as one with many friends from Cameroon, Nigeria, and other countries throughout the continent of Africa – that I have remained so unaware. These friends raved about their homelands and somehow their praise fell upon deaf ears. This is in part due to that as a child, Africa, to me, seemed branded as less than alluring.
The media and my societal narrative have often viewed Africa with a lens of violence, poverty, and underdevelopment. This portrayal has caused generations of Africans to abandon their own heritage and traditions. During my trip to Ghana, I can’t say I’ve ever felt more comfortable in a space. I don’t think I stopped my Shaku Shaku from the time I got off the plane.
Every stereotype that’s been perpetuated never pointed to me feeling this free. I was also fortunate enough to visit the slave dungeons in Cape Coast – small quarters where over a hundred of my potential ancestors were held captive on any given day with no nourishment, suffering in their own faeces and urine. As heartbreaking as it was to stand on those grounds, my takeaway – apart from feeling both inspired and devastated – was a galvanized sense of pride.
I felt as if I gained a more authentic and emboldened sense of self, furthering my own understanding of endurance through my ancestors’ plight. Thank you to @boriskodjoe, @nicoleariparker, @badassboz and @thedebonairdisciple for the introduction to my truth. My year couldn’t have begun with more clarity.”
Photo credit: IG | Diggysimmons
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