March 9th, 2016 by Rachel | Tags: Peace Corps | No Comments »
Ruth listens to the news relating to the US election on the radio that is on her phone.
Ruth and I were both sitting squashed in one seat in the front of a van. We were heading back to Bamenda from a long journey to a village for an HIV Prevention workshop a couple Sundays ago. “I heard that Hillary Clinton won Nevada!”
I turn to Ruth and look at her in shock, “How are you getting all the news about the US Election?”
“Radio,” she replied.
“So, the US Election is really covered here in Cameroon?”
“Yes,” she said.
Recently, I was talking to my landlord. He said, “I don’t like the Republicans. They believed in bombing Iraq. I don’t like Trump. He’s horrible. He’s banning Mexicans from entering the US. I like the Democrats. They’re good. They believe in healthcare.”
“How do you know so well about the US politics?” I asked.
“I watch CNN and BBC everyday,” he said.
Over the past several months, I have noticed how Cameroonians have really kept a close eye on the US politics. They know every name of candidates running for the Republican Party and also for the Democrat Party. They know which issues each candidates stand on. One of my work partners look up to the US politicians to the point that one of his children’s name is Dick Cheney. I did ask him why he named him after the former Vice President and he said it was simply because he admires the American leaders. There is also an aisle at a big market in Bamenda called Obama’s Line. The sign that says “Obama’s Line” also shows a painting of his face.
A few days ago, I asked another work partner why Cameroonians pay a very close attention to the US politics and she said, “It’s because the US political system is so flexible. We admire their system.”
