An excellent read and an education plus
“I truly enjoyed this book by Otis L. Lee. He addressed a select group of Afro-Americans who can imagine the pain of their forefather’s involuntary separation from Africa, the trauma experienced during their cross Atlantic travel, and the uniquely crafted American slavery system. Not all African-Americans have the luxury of reminiscing about the pain experienced by our forefathers, particularly people of color who deal daily with the full blows of America’s Apartheid.
Mr. Lee tracks Africa primarily through the eyes of Michelle, a Swarthmore college student, and an older, long-time family friend, Harriett. Michelle was among two Blacks students chosen to participate in an education exchange program with Makerere University, Uganda, about 47-years ago.
From Michelle’s copious notes and narratives, Mr. Lee reconstructs her sojourn, joy, and disappointments. Eric, one of Michelle’s mentors, was a Ugandan Professor at Makerere University and married to Harriett. Eric received his Master’s in Mathematics in the USA. His cultural description of America lambasted its vacuous pop culture, fads, racism, and the over saturated Eurocentric culture to the exclusion of all others.
Mr. Lee skillfully crafts many questions to Michelle about her Ugandan experience. They include the ability to discard her Western expectations for the African reality, how to maneuver a compromised medical system, and the residual effects of colonialization.
In front of a mirror in the student lobby, Michelle engaged in a powerful self-dialogue about her dress and African décor. She wore an afro, dangling earrings and a dashiki. Reflected in the mirror behind her was an African female student with a wig, westernized clothes and a powered face.
Mr. Lee often takes time-out to translate Michelle’s thoughts and events into teachable moments. For example, he interprets the lessons encountered by Michelle when she relates back to an evening with two African-American women. Both women were married to Ugandans. In professorial style, he elucidates the cross-cultural experiences of the women and others by detailing the history of governance in the Horne of Africa, Plural Marriage, and how wealth is measured.
The book’s title comes from a daydream by Mr. Lee and an imaginary train ride from Djibouti to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In his last chapter the fantasy declares that there is no cure all, panacea, or an idyllic country that we as African-Americans can live in. Michelle arrived in Africa with all her western stereotypes in place and left with growth, and a more realistic view of both Africa and America.
I unequivocally recommend the book. As a bonus, it is well-written and offers a great education in cultural realism and personal growth.
Review written by Alvin Foster, D.Ed.
Retired 2005: President of AMF Mail Advertising, LLC, Assistant Dean of Student at Boston University, Assistant Professor University of Massachusetts, Founder of the Boston Audio Society