Selam & Hello

In many African countries, 2019 has been declared the Year of Return to honor our ancestors who were stolen from the continent 400 years ago. In Kenya, a panel of African-Americans - Rebecca, Robyn, Curtis and Ben - share their experiences of coming "home" to Africa. Their stories capture the tension, the joy, the responsibility and often the duplicity that still remains for Black people worldwide. This episode was recorded at Pawa254 (pawa254.org)and is edited by Kate Stephens. Music by Selah Piper.

Do we need heroes? Is curiosity underrated? How do we hold space for those we disagree with? How are colorism and racism intertwined? How do we resist the myth of entitlement and privilege? What does the commodification of black feminism look like? What is our plan for justice? So many questions - and many complex, nuanced answers with the South African author and voice for justice, Sisonke Msimang whose writing focuses on race, gender and democracy. Her book - Always Another Country - can be found on Amazon and more about Sisonke's work is available at www.sisonkemsimang.com/. Up/Root is masterfully edited by Kate Stephens.

Where is home? If you have never lived where you were born, or your kids were born in a different country, or if you are a refugee or immigrant: where do you call home? A once simple question is tackled by four dynamic women who offer their own wisdom, humor and insights into this important question. And at the end offer a good piece of advice for all of us to consider.

Maimouna, Johnson, Ruth and Troy all live in Nairobi, Kenya but have identities rooted in multiple countries and cultures. Circumstances and choices have caused them to make decisions to leave home, opportunities or countries - often at significant cost to themselves and their families. In this episode, each of them answer the question: why did you leave? (This episode is dedicated to my friend, George Wolf. We miss you already.)