How Fiji Changed My Life
Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan
Evanston, Illinois
Note for Readers: The Fiji Sun is thrilled to add Dr. Logan to our team as a diversity columnist. Beginning today, he will write a regular bi-monthly column, “Talanoa,” providing commentary on issues of diversity and inclusion in Fiji and around the world. Who is Dr. Logan? What is diversity and inclusion? What does it have to do with Fiji? Dr. Logan’s incredible story of identity, education and transformation and his deep connection with Fiji are profiled in this issue.
An Introduction
I’ll simply start my first ever story here at the Fiji Sun by saying… Bula! My name is Gilo Kwesi Logan (pronounced: G-low Kway-see, Low-gan).
I am from Evanston, Illinois in the United States of America. I’m the new columnist here writing about local and global topics and issues of diversity and inclusion.
Throughout my life, I’ve spent eight years travelling the world. I’ve lived in 23 countries in North and Central America, the Caribbean, South Pacific, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and West Africa. I’ve survived three near-death experiences: a plane crash landing and two vicious bouts with malaria. I have battled boils, been lost overnight in the forest, and wrongfully jailed because of my race. For many people I met, I was the first black person they had ever laid eyes on. From my first visit to Fiji in 1989 as a college graduate, to my most recent visit in 2013 with my wife and two sons, my seven visits to Fiji have left a deep impression on my soul.
These experiences transformed my life and have led me to the work that I do today.
The Hope of Humanity
It was my stay in the village of Naqia (Viti Levu) that forever changed my life. I’ll never forget that boat ride from Nananu-i-Ra to Rakiraki and the bus ride from Rakiraki to Naqia. I was touched by how people helped one another getting on and off the bus.
Men gave their seats to the women, food was shared, and the strangers I met soon became lifelong friends. Here I was on the other side of the world – by myself. But yet, all along it felt just like I was home – I never felt alone.
Arriving in Naqia felt like going to a family reunion. This is where I felt the true essence of the spirit of Fiji – in the village. I was moved by the warmth and kindness of the people and their lifestyle of living in harmony with nature.
The men were proud yet humble, the women carried an inner beauty, and the innocence in children’s eyes was unlike anything I had ever seen before. In my view, Fijians truly embody the hope of humanity.
In Fiji, I was sensitised and opened up. I felt a deep connection within myself and with others that I had not experienced before. I was so moved by my first visit to Fiji that I found it very painful to leave, I cried. So I vowed to return, and I kept that promise.
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna
A lot of people ask me what “diversity and inclusion,” means. In short, I’d say it’s about how difference interacts with fairness. By this I mean, how people interact with different cultures, different religions, different social classes, different villages, etc. in a way that is fair to everyone.
When I think of diversity and inclusion, I am reminded of the teachings of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.In the beginning of the 20th century, he made the case that Fiji was a three-legged stool, dependent on its ability to live in harmony between the Fijians, Indo-Fijians and Europeans.
When he spoke of the need for Fiji to find ways to live with equality and respect in a multicultural society, he was speaking of the importance of diversity and inclusion to Fiji’s future.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
After my first visit to Fiji, I returned home and earned my masters degree in elementary education. After five years of teaching, mentoring, doing volunteer work and speaking about my travels, I embarked on a three and a half year trip around the world with two of my closest friends.
We revisited all of the countries from my previous trip, adding to our itinerary Laos, India, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Papua New Guinea, Mali, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. On this leg of my journey, I became the first in my family to return through “the door of no return” to my ancestral homeland of West Africa. I gained valuable new perspectives, countless life lessons and encountered great wisdom from different cultures. Fiji had become my gateway to the world of indigenous culture. One of the deepest lessons I learned was in India when I met the Guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba. After many long and tiring bus and train rides we entered an oasis of beauty at his ashram in Puttaparthi. I had many questions about life and how I was going to practice my growing faith. I’ll always remember Sai Baba telling me that we must, “serve God through serving humanity.” These few words gave me a new purpose in life.
Upon my return home a second time, I founded S.O.U.L. (Spirit of Universal Love) Creations, an agency that provides cultural programs for schools. For the past 16 years, I have taught at several different colleges and universities in the U.S. The wealth of knowledge I gained on my travels inspired me to earn a doctoral degree in adult education. For my research I conducted a case study examining the experiences of other African American men in, among other places, Fiji, and the impact their experiences had on their identity as African Americans.
My Three-Legged Stool
I am of West African (Guinea), American Indian (Blackfoot) and European (Scottish/Irish) ancestry, comprising my own three-legged stool. I descend from a family of community activists who worked to create genuine equity, fairness and respect among all people. My grandmother participated in Dr. Martin Luther King’s march on Washington, D.C. when he gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” Speech in 1968. My father was assigned to protect the life of Dr. King when he came to Evanston in 1963. My father went on to become Evanston’s first African American Lieutenant, Captain, deputy chief, and first African American chief of police in 1984.
My Mission
This life journey has led me to my work a diversity consultant, educator, writer and speaker. My mission is to help corporations, educational institutions, families and students meet the challenges of living working and living in a global society. I do this through diversity seminars, training, lectures, and consulting product and services.
In my personal time, I enjoy reading, sports, camping, spending time with my family and in the garden. I gain the greatest pride and satisfaction as a husband to my wife Miah, and a father to our two sons, Ulaiasi and Olu Sekou.
I’m hoping this column will offer a space for discussion and for presenting ideas. I want to share and hear stories and different perspectives about Fiji and what’s happening in the world. I’d like to bring a unique global perspective to issues and topic of interest to Fiji, Fijian people and Fijian culture. In the next column I’ll share with you more about what diversity and inclusion looks like in Fiji. Until next time, be well and be one with your destiny. Moce.
Readers’ Feedback Welcomed
You can email me at dr.gkclogan@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your responses, ideas, and suggestions on what you would like to hear about regarding diversity and inclusion in Fiji. Please visit my website at www.diversitymanagementconsultant.com for updates, to connect with my LinkedIn and Facebook circles, and for more information.
Bio: Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan is an internationally recognised diversity consultant, educator, writer and speaker. He serves as adjunct professor of diversity and social justice in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.