Otis Lee begin his story finding himself aboard a seemingly unremarkable train voyaging from Charlottesville, Virginia, to New York City’s Penn Station. Yet, for Otis, this journey evokes memories of another train, hailing from a distant past, embodying an irretrievable history. Drawing inspiration from the genuine encounters of Dr. Michelle Palmer Lee and her mentor, Dr. Harriett F. Karuhije, “The Last Train From Djibouti” illuminates the transformative odyssey of two women. Individually, they embark on a profound adventure to the Motherland, Africa, driven by an unwavering desire to reconnect with their heritage and discover their true selves.

However, what awaits them exceeds all expectations. In their exploration of identity and character, a grander panorama unfolds, unveiling the essence of an “unrequited return.” Through the skillful interweaving of entries from Michelle’s journal, Harriett’s perceptive observations, and Otis’s own research and personal encounters, the story encapsulates a microcosm of the African-American struggle to unearth their ancestral ties within a culture that has been forcibly displaced, transported across oceans, and transformed into something new.

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