As an adoptee from foreign soil, I have often harbored fantasies of returning to my homeland to explore my roots. This has proved difficult, if not dangerous considering the state of affairs abroad, so my dream has yet to be fulfilled. And still I wonder whether there is somewhere out there where my ancestors wandered. Or maybe where my birth parents met, (under a cedar tree overlooking an olive garden is a favorite daydream of mine). Sadly, I don't believe this will ever happen. With Hammas groups taking over most of Southern Lebanon, the area is sure to be in turmoil for a long time to come.
But still, I have hope. And my hope is spurred by shows on PBS like this one. This story of African American celebrities learning where they came from in Africa, (did you know that all African Americans come from the Northern Regions, and not South Africa like everyone says). The show was poignant, and sometimes funny, with a touching trip for one of the celebrities back to the area where his 8 generations back grandparents were marched three miles, baptized and put on a ship bound for American slavery.
I found the show to be informative and well done, and recommend checking it out for a little brain and soul food rolled into one. And maybe, just maybe if Chris Tucker can show up in a random village and be welcomed in by strangers who say "we missed you"...well then, maybe there's a little hope for me.
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