Comments on: Video: Anderson's Cape Coast Castle tour

By: Omondi Jarambo

Omondi Jarambo — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:11:09 +0000

Hi,Anderson,l thank you for a good job.Please keep it up

Jakogelo
Dar es salaam, Tanzania

By: susan patterson

susan patterson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:39:53 +0000

i like the tour and everything but why do you guys show the crappy areas of ghana?
why don't you go to the city and show the pretty places because showing the crappy places is not a very good way to talk about africa!
im very worried about this problem!!

By: Deefrancio

Deefrancio — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:15:07 +0000

Anderson, That was a brilliant report about the slave trade in Africa.

But I want to second the comments Manny made in her mail above. I have a lot of Black and white folks who ask so many ignorant questions about the great continent Africa. All of them are highly educated people here in America but their level of ignorance about Africa is amazing. One may ask why? And all the answers come to the level of reportage of the western media about the continent. Been it an expedition trip, philanthropic, HIV/AIDS support/awareness trip etc. My problem here is that as much as horrifying this stories and seen maybe there are egually importnat seen the crew may have experienced. Atleast the crew slept in five star hotel in the city, drove on modern roads in latex salon cars, saw all these tall buildings, and all other modern infrastructure just like we here. Although the purpose of these trips may not be on showcasing these seen but at least snap shots and captions of some of these infrastructures in you report gives our black and white brothers here a balance view about the continent Africa That Africa is not only about jungles, poverty, HIV/AIDS, wars and hunger.
And to be very honest with you CNN over years has been very culpable in this view. Maybe you have a reason and all Africans I believe will like to know why?

By: Amaka

Amaka — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:46:57 +0000

What a horrible event that took place at the cape castle.This is plain wickedness of first degree.Again why do we discriminate against each other when GOD made us Black,White etc and we are all equal /thesame before our creator.Those pepetrators need to seek forgiveness from these countries they have hurt separating mothers,fathers,uncles,aunts etc from loved ones.its really demeaning and horrible.INJUSTIFIABLE

By: beks

beks — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:45:43 +0000

we the people of ghana are happy for that exclusive with obama in the cape coast castle we hope cnn will open a tv station in ghana so we could closer to you and america thank you

By: Jennifer K

Jennifer K — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:28:47 +0000

Thanks for taking us on a tour of Cape Coast Castle. Is there anytime to share more of your and your staff's thoughts on the experience? Was it a first visit for everyone? Analogous to other experiences?

You asked President Obama about whether the slave experience still resonates with Americans, but what was it like for you - someone with a lot of experience in seeing difficult situations that people manage to live through - compared to some of the other visitors? Any discussion bout from staff or other visitors on whether or not such locations should remain "tourist" destinations? (I happen to believe preserving the ugly past is as important as the moments of pride.)

By: Joseph McReynolds, Atlanta

Joseph McReynolds, Atlanta — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:47:57 +0000

The Interview with President Obama at the Cape Coast slave fort was very intriguing. However, I kept looking for the "Door of No Return" which had deeply affected me when we visited there recently. If you'll review the video, you will see that you missed it! You kept showing the "Door of Return" which is actually the main entrance & exit. (It is clearly labeled.)
The "Door of NO Return" is actually a small portal at the bottom of dark, dank stairs under a very low ceiling. It is the most gripping, horrifying symbol of cruelty that I have ever seen.
Since you plan a summary program this week-end, I thought you would want to show footage of this compelling door. It would really be worth the extra effort.

By: Lori from IL

Lori from IL — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Anderson –

Thank you for taking us on this "tour" - it was a little disturbing to watch and think about what happened in Cape Coast Castle– but your narration was fantastic, professional and heartfelt at the same time.... Thanks for sharing this with your viewers and showing us what the Obama's saw on their tour... love the background stories.

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:57:10 +0000

Seeing a real castle that trafficked in the human trade of slavery was sobering. As you walked down into the darkness I thought about all those frightened men, women, and children who made an enforced march into the dark and gloom of the place – imagine being able to hear the ocean but not being able to go outside to look at it or to just look around at a sunny day. The inhumanness with which these people were met and the unspeakable acts against them should never be forgot by white or black and its message should be used to bring us together and not tear us apart.

By: riza

riza — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:15:45 +0000

i so agree with tammy houma. . .when do we act with social justice? when will people realize that all human beings are equal in every way. .

By: Eugenia - San Francisco, Ca

Eugenia - San Francisco, Ca — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:50:47 +0000

Going to California
Ramble On
Levee Breaks

By: Angie D.

Angie D. — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:22:15 +0000

If this interest you–watch the movie "Amazing Grace"

By: Christina, Windber, PA

Christina, Windber, PA — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:01:13 +0000

It's hard to watch this video and listen to your report and not get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. It boggles the mind to think people could treat others so horribly. It's hard to imagine how those who survived managed to survive under some horrible conditions and probably filled with terror.

I remember watching movies when I was little about how slaves were treated by their owners. It was hard to watch and I found it hard to stay until the end. No one should have to bear that torment; they were treated like animals and that's just not right.

By the way, what was the rest of the castle used for? Was it common knowledge what went on in the dungeons?

Thanks for the great report and taking it upon yourself to go down there and show us a little of what it's like. I can't have been pleasant, although not as bad as it was for those poor people back then.

By: Ratna, New York, NY

Ratna, New York, NY — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:02:03 +0000

Anderson,

I saw this place in a documentary shown in my Afro-Caribbean study class. Your version is very impressive. The women and children were raped as well.

By: Alice (Hsiao Chin)

Alice (Hsiao Chin) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:22:52 +0000

By the way.....may God and Buddha...and Confucius bless you too!!^___^

By: Neina

Neina — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:16:16 +0000

I was born in Accra Ghana, but lived in Kumasi for the first two years of my life. I have been back home before and would love to go back again. I must first say, that I love your show. You are honest and you are one genuine person. I felt a little homesick when I saw you and the president in country. I hope that you have enjoyed your visit there and I hope that this is an experience you will never forget. The people of Ghana are beautiful in so many ways. Great souls have come and gone. A lot of history has been made in Africa as one. There are so many things that people don't know about Africa except for what they see on TV. I was happy to see that a little bit of history had been told about what had really happened during the slave trade. I have to say that I am proud to be part of this history and culture. Africa has great wonders and rich history that would never be completly told. You would never know that africans are suffering because through all trials and tribulations all african can come together and work through their lives with a smile that you would never forget. The people of africa are proud to be who they are. They are proud of their past, they are proud of their present, and they are proud of their future. They are proud to be one happy family. I am prould myself to be a Ghanaian. Thank you so much Mr. Cooper for going to my country and taking the time to explore all that Ghana has to offer. I also want to thank President Obama, his beautiful wife, First Lady Michelle and also, their children who have been blessed to be able to go with their parents to a land of which their roots have been dug deep, but will not be forgotten. Thank you.

By: Donna Wood, Lil' Tennessee

Donna Wood, Lil' Tennessee — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:05:32 +0000

Your Cape Coast Castle tour was absolutely amazing! Let's do it again! Only, maybe without the spider bite next time, you think?

Donna Wood
Lexington, Tennessee

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:00:04 +0000

Anderson!

When I tuned in to CNN – AC360 @ 5:00 a.m. (much better for me) I was able to listen to Obama and you talk about what went on at the Castle – with no problem . . . Not the case the second time on the blog video – too sad. – I had to exit out of that quick.

. . . I was never a big Jackson fan – I do like a few of his songs – and – of course – I watched the Thriller video on MTV! But his character had flaws.

Have a good one.

Thank you.

Karen

By: MANNY

MANNY — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:58:42 +0000

Hi Anderson, I applaud you for the good job you do… you are such a professional reporter. My question is to you , and my concern is to our news media as a whole. Why is there so much demonization of Africa by our media?. Why is it that we never had a chance to see the better part of Africa?…. The beautiful cities, sky scrapers, office buildings like the types we have here, modern road networks, better looking people, nice housing facilities, hotels, parks, collages and a lot more. Not to say I am desputing any of what is shown.
All the media carries about that great continent, is evil…wars, hunger stricken looking people, struggling communities, death bodies and flies, bad and dusty farm roads, jungles, aids and sicknesses.
Be sincere to yourself… Is that all you know about Africa. The pictures you posted here online…. Is that your image of Ghana, is that all you have seen.
You talked about slavery still existing in Ghana, when the President of United States visited an ancient slave trade dungeon in Ghana in comparison. I believe are a very intelligent man Anderson
As a matter of fact Anderson, people are beginning to ask questions.. quarrying what they see on TV with reference to what they see when they make a trip to Africa.
If this is not ignorant in the path of the media…then who are we targeting with this propaganda?

By: Gail Duncan

Gail Duncan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:01:28 +0000

Sad CNN can be bias but i love AC and your honest reporting.