I admit I hate-liked some pics on the socials.......more like than hate. I am glad all had a chance to go and had a good experience. I lived through you all. 

I love that your experience was almost completely opposite of the last one I read about: the one set to an endless soundtrack of club bangers and champagne bottles popping.  Mind you, both experiences are interesting and illuminating in their ways.  It’s just fascinating to me that 2 “return” experiences could be so…

Sounds like it was a magical time. 

I had no idea that the Year of Return was a thing until it was a thing. I’m glad y’all had fun, Marge, and made connections. I truly want to visit West Africa one day. (Especially, Goree Island in Senegal.)

Thank you so much for posting excerpts from your journalistic (and personal) expedition; I’m always so surprised at the amount of culling done by many, many Americans when it comes to traveling and engaging with others outside of their own area codes. I also think that it’s rather important for people to see a genuine…

I know exactly what you mean! I knew so many people growing up who never learned Spanish because their parents were second generation Mexican immigrants who felt strongly about their children assimilating. Not without good reason, of course, but we win some and we lose some in the melting pot... I always felt so…

AHHH!! YESSS!! That sounds like my mom: fusses at me for making her cry. Good job! It’s just so very nice to let our folks know that we love them while they are still here and can appreciate it.

Much love to you, Marguerite! Thanks so much for sharing your story of coming into and owning your identity. ✊🏾

Your last paragraph gave me chills. Thank you so much for sharing. I am mixed (black and white) but grew up in a place with a large Mexican population and often get mistaken for Afro-latina. A part of me feels so connected to that culture, even though I don’t share it... There’s nothing like eating a homemade meal…

I lived in Phoenix once and made the mistake of driving to San Digeo with them AZ red plates letting everybody know I was a “Zonie” I never did that again...

blessings to you, and continued success!

Good post Gemmie!

I really, really hope your mom reads or has read this: it’s like a love letter to her!