I said, "I collect jokes. I firmly believe that if you know what a person eats, how and if he prays, how he loves and what makes him laugh, you can claim to understand him, at least to a certain extent. I'll tell you a black American story and you will tell me a German one."

Immediately, I launched into recounting a Brer Rabbit tale from my childhood. In this tale, the hare was portrayed as defenseless and under threat. As is always the case in African and Afro-American folktales, the seemingly weak animal with the sharpest mind outwits its well-armed adversary. I left the listeners with no doubt that the vulnerable trickster represented my people, while the heavily equipped opponent was the white race.

The tale always elicited agreeing laughter from blacks. However, in that particular company, the only response I received was a few polite chuckles. It seemed that the cultural nuances and the deep-seated meanings within the story were not fully grasped or perhaps not as relevant to those who were not part of the black American experience. Nevertheless, it was an interesting moment that highlighted the importance of cultural context in understanding and appreciating different stories and the messages they convey.

Review: http://africanbookaddict.com/2015/05/...

This is the fifth book in Maya Angelou's autobiography series. I read books 1 - 3 when I was younger. I'll have to search through my Mom's old books and read book 4 before the year ends!

Maya Angelou is truly remarkable - seriously! This book is set in Ghana (mostly Accra) in the 1960s, shortly after Ghana's independence in 1957. Angelou becomes part of a community of 'Revolutionist Returnees' - African Americans/Negro Americans on a mission to explore, understand, and assist the Motherland in any way possible. While in Ghana, she gets a job as an administrator at the University of Ghana - Legon and as a journalist at a local newspaper.

Angelou takes us through her various conversations and interactions with the kind-hearted Ghanaians she met during her stay. I loved how most Ghanaians made her feel welcome. Generally, Ghanaians are very hospitable, and this book really emphasizes that (my country shone in this book!). I was glad that although Angelou was living with a community of African Americans, she interacted mostly with Africans during her time in Ghana - there was a great balance. An interesting part of the book was when Angelou and the other African Americans protested in front of the American Embassy in Accra on the same day as the March on Washington, led by Martin Luther King Jr. The aim of the March and the protest in Accra was to advocate for equal rights and desegregation in the United States. Even though W.E.B DuBois was also in Ghana at the time (he gained citizenship and lived there in the latter part of his life), he couldn't protest with them and passed away shortly after the March on Washington due to old age. My favorite part of the book was when Malcolm X arrived in Ghana and Angelou, along with the other 'Revolutionist Returnees', did their best to make him feel at home, arranged talks for him, and even got him to meet President Kwame Nkrumah. It was fascinating to read about these iconic leaders having ordinary lives in this book!

Angelou struggles a great deal in this book with her identity and coming to terms with the facts of the past. Remembering how Africans sold other Africans into slavery constantly angered her. She couldn't even visit the Elmina Castle - which held many slaves at the Cape Coast of Ghana - because the historical significance of this place made her sick. I admired her pursuit of experiencing and understanding what the 'black experience' was like in Africa - Ghana, a place where almost everyone is black. This memoir concludes on a satisfying note for me. I recommend this to anyone who has an appreciation for Black history and those who wish to travel to the continent of Africa in search of their identity.

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WILL BE POSTED ON THE BLOG SOON!

Africa was the land that we carried within the billows of our high buttocks,

that shook in our bulging posteriors,

and that crackled in our wide-open laughter.

It was a presence that was deeply ingrained within us,

manifesting in the most physical and visceral ways.

The rhythm of Africa coursed through our bodies,

inspiring our movements and expressions.

Our laughter was a celebration of the continent's spirit,

a release of the joy and vitality that it instilled within us.

Africa was not just a distant place on the map,

but a living, breathing force that was an integral part of who we were.

It was a source of pride and strength,

a connection to our roots that we cherished and held dear.

With every step we took, every laugh we shared,

we carried Africa with us,

keeping its spirit alive in our hearts and souls.

I love me some Maya Angelou.

She is an inspiration and a remarkable figure. I decided to re-read her autobiography, and I'm chipping away at the project, one book at a time. I just finished "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes," which is a profound reflection on her time in Africa.

After divorcing her husband, she moved from Egypt with the intention of settling in Liberia. However, her plans changed when her son Guy was involved in an automobile accident in Ghana. She remained in Ghana to be close to her son as he recovered.

In the meantime, Angelou interacted with African American expatriates. She longed to be accepted by Africans and find a sense of home there, but she was always conscious of her American identity.

Throughout the book, you are constantly reminded of Angelou's greatness. She spent time with Malcolm X when he passed through, and there was a tense moment between Malcolm and Muhammad Ali that she witnessed. Additionally, she had a crazy encounter with a racist German, which was both weird and eye-opening.

Another interesting event was when she had a psychic moment over a dangerous bridge. She insisted on getting out of the car and walking across, and it turned out that the bridges in the area were known for being poorly constructed and washing away. Her intuitive knowledge saved her.

In a village called Keta, she was recognized as a former relative. The people there wept when they saw her, and she realized a profound connection with them. She finally felt like she had found her origins, her roots, and herself.

This book is truly beautiful and well worth reading. It reminds us that Maya Angelou was not just a writer but a multi-faceted individual. She was a dancer, a singer, a poet, a mother, and an activist. She was an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement and an absolute legend. I really love her.

The original article might be something like: "The story had a powerful ending. It left a deep impression on the readers." Here is the expanded version:

The story unfolded in a captivating manner, leading the readers on a thrilling journey.

As the plot thickened and the characters faced various challenges, the anticipation for the ending grew stronger and stronger.

Finally, when the ending arrived, it was truly 4.5, such a powerful one.

It had the ability to make the readers gasp in surprise, their hearts pounding with excitement.

The author's masterful storytelling skills were on full display, as the ending tied up all the loose ends and provided a satisfying conclusion.

It left a deep impression on the readers, making them think about the story long after they had finished reading.

Overall, the powerful ending was the perfect culmination of a great story.

Every moment in Ghana seemed to demand my attention, and each social affair carried a sense of self-awareness.

When I went dancing, in between the beats and during the steps, I couldn't help but think, "Here I am, Maya Angelou, dancing in Africa. I know I'm having a great time."

Shopping in the crowded streets, I thought, "This is me at last, the real me, buying peppers in Makola market. How lucky I am!"

I read this book while I was also in Accra. Although for many reasons my experience was different, I could relate to her writing. The descriptions of food, cloth, and smell, and the feelings that she so beautifully expressed in words.

I finished it in the courtyard of my own home in Ghana. As she spoke about what she missed about home, her family, and her friends, I realized that I, too, missed home.

The book made me reflect on my own experiences in Ghana and the connection I felt to both this place and my own roots. It was a reminder that no matter where we are in the world, there is always a part of us that longs for the familiar and the people we love.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in pan africanism.

Although it doesn't directly focus on that specific topic, Maya's first-hand account of her experiences as a black American on the continent addresses the concerns that many in the diaspora have regarding "going back to Africa".

I absolutely loved this book!

Recently, I spent some time in Ghana, and almost all of the questions and concerns that she brings up in the book also came to my mind during my visit.

I am truly grateful that she shared this work with us.

It provides valuable insights and a unique perspective that can help others better understand the complex emotions and experiences related to the idea of reconnecting with one's African roots.

Whether you are already well-versed in pan africanism or just starting to explore the topic, this book is definitely worth reading.

It offers a personal and engaging narrative that will leave a lasting impression.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and discover the power of Maya's words for yourself.

You won't be disappointed!

A straightforward African-American expatriate memoir, apart from Maya, makes the storytelling frank and engaging. From chapter to chapter, there are occasional poetic riffs that simply make me go "Ah." Ah, yes, Sister Maya. You assist me in understanding. I cry along with the people of Keta. I am thrilled by the discovery of her ancestry and the persistence of men who desire her beauty, strength, and wisdom. Then I cry once more because she passed away recently. But then I laugh again, remembering her "American Negro" sisters who spoke about her in the world media. I think about how she opened doors for African Americans to speak at length and not just be listened to, but actually be heard by white girls like me. Rest in peace, Maya.

The penultimate volume of Maya Angelou's autobiography delves into the years she spent residing in Ghana when her son was attending university there.

I was truly captivated by her reflections on how life in Ghana felt to the African-Americans present.

She writes, "I lay on my bed drinking for myself and for all the nameless orphans of Africa who had been shunted around the world. I drank and admitted to boundless envy of those who remained on the continent, out of fortune or perfidy. Their countries had been exploited and their cultures had been discredited by colonialism. Nonetheless, they could reflect through their priests and chiefs on centuries of continuity. The lowliest could call the name of ancestors who lived centuries earlier. The land upon which they lived had been in their people's possession beyond remembered time. Despite political bondage and economic exploitation, they had retained an ineradicable innocence."

She further doubts if she or any black from the diaspora could truly return to Africa. "We wore skeletons of old despair like necklaces, heralding our arrival, and we were branded with cynicism. In America we danced, laughed, procreated; we became lawyers, judges, legislators, teachers, doctors, and preachers, but as always, under our glorious costumes we carried the badge of a barbarous history sewn into our dark skins. It had often been said that black people were childish, but in America we had matured without ever experiencing the true abandon of adolescence. Those actions which appeared to be childish most often were exhibitions of bravado, not unlike humming a jazz tune while walking into a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan."

The book is filled with really striking incidents, all recounted with Angelou's usual verve and compassion. Malcolm X's visit after going to Mecca, being treated as a distant relative on several occasions in Ghana, and a hideous breakfast party in Germany were especially memorable.

Overall, this volume offers a profound and moving exploration of Angelou's experiences and insights during her time in Ghana.

I've got nothing but an abundance of love, profound respect and deep admiration for this remarkable woman.

She is not only a brilliant writer, but also an exceptional human being with a heart of gold. What's more, she has a great sense of humor that always brings a smile to our faces.

The combination of her brilliance in writing, her kindness as a person and her humorous nature is truly one of a kind.

I wholeheartedly recommend all of her books to anyone and everyone. No matter who you are, there's bound to be something in her works that will touch your heart, inspire your mind or make you laugh out loud.

Her books are a treasure trove of wisdom, entertainment and emotions. ❤️

The story continues to unfold.

This particular account has been an amazing eye-opener. There is so much to discover and understand about the disparities between the "real" African and the African-American character.

I simply can't wait to dive into the next installment, although I suspect that Maya will be returning to the USA.

This book is truly a gem that I'm certain I'll revisit time and time again. It has offered such unique insights and perspectives that have broadened my understanding of different cultures and identities.

The way the author has presented the story makes it both engaging and thought-provoking. I'm eager to see what else lies ahead in this fascinating narrative.

It's not often that a book has such a profound impact on me, but this one has definitely left a lasting impression.

Thank goodness for the "Books-a-Million" African-American lit shelf, where they stock books front cover forward. There I was, waiting at their cafe for some chai, and this book was right there smiling at me. As soon as I flipped through the pages and saw Maya Angelou's reference to Liberia (my birth land where I spent most of my adolescence), I knew I had to buy and read.

During the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, a group of black Americans weary of the racial tensions left America headed for West Africa. They called themselves the "Revolutionist Returnees." I was surprised to learn that Maya Angelou was a part of this group. What was so refreshing about this memoir was her willingness to relay her flaws. Compared to other memoirs she has written, you feel as if you are reading about the behind-the-scenes, non-celebrity author Maya Angelou here.

If you've read her book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," you get a sense for why she was angry, ill-tempered, a writer who had not come to terms with her writing, an actress, and a "vagabond" who had traveled from state to state, country to country, trying to find herself. I was moved by another memoir she wrote, "Letter to my Daughter," but this book was a transformative read.

The book starts in 1962, when Angelou is on her way to Liberia with her 19-year old son. While in Ghana visiting friends, her son is a victim of a nasty car accident, which forces her to cancel her Liberian trip and job. This leads to her going into a deep depression.

In Ghana, she meets a group of black American expatriates and a community of foreigners. The story centers around her finding her way into the African community. She mentions comparing the African and black American cultures, and even learning to still her anger by viewing the people around her.

As if all this self revelation wasn't astounding enough, Malcolm X is introduced to the story and W.E.B. Du Bois is revealed to be a member of the expats living in Ghana. The changed Malcolm X scolds Maya Angelou, teaching her a valuable lesson. There are many such lessons throughout the book.

I had one minor issue with a characterization of Liberians, but overall, this memoir did well in comparing social issues across cultures, being encouraging, speaking of transformation and social change, and being scented with rich West African culture. The ending was superb.