Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America (ISBN 0452278929)

Amazon.com Review:
With his bicultural heritage, journalist Philippe Wamba--born of an African American mother and Congolese father and reared in California, Boston, Tanzania, and the Congo--offers an evenhanded and encyclopedic examination of the facts and fictions that have grown on both sides of the Atlantic. "My Blackness has been the bridge that has linked my two identities," he writes, "the commonality that my split selves share." In this exceptional book, Wamba recounts the long history of the African image among black Americans, from the 18th-century Senegal-born slave poet Phyllis Wheatley to Marcus Garvey, the fiery back-to-Africa "race man" of the early 1900s. Across the water, Wamba tells how Africans waited for Afro-Americans to liberate them from colonialism, and how their leaders like Haile Selassie, Kwame Nkrumah, and Patrice Lumumba interacted with their transatlantic brethren. Wamba also recalls how he was treated as a foreigner in Tanzania, the ambivalence his mother received from his paternal relatives, and the idealism that U.S. blacks have of the continent, which at times has led to uncritical support of corrupt dictators like the former Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko (who once imprisoned Wamba's activist father). As he relates how Michael Jackson sneaks Swahili words in his songs while African kids incorporate hip-hop slang into their vocabulary, Wamba lays out the past perils and, ultimately, the future promise of transcontinental black unity. "I have discovered that African Americans and Africans are culturally distinct," he says. "But through the evidence of history and my own personal experience, I have learned that Africans and Black Americans can move beyond their real and perceived differences to celebrate and build on what they share." --Eugene Holley Jr.

How Refreshing! How Thought provoking:
This book has enlightened me on so many issues affecting the Africans and the African-American communities. As an african living on the american soil, it has opened my eyes to some peplexing complicated behaviours which I observed among our extended family folk for which I lack the history to verbalise it and understand it. Phillipe was placed in unique position to dig deeper into both worlds and find the answers he needed in order to maintain a healthy balance of his dual heritage.What amazes me is the fact that he became properly assimilated into the Tanzanian community its cultures and values, while on the other hand reverse assimilation on his african-american side proved to be a challange "He was still the African cousin"? Its a wonderful book and a job well done.. We will be looking for more literary works from you Phillipe... and be assured in knowing that I am going to recommended this book to every Mwalimu I know.. we will pad your pockets alright!!

A Truly Controversial Issue!!!:
I am currently a high school student attending a public school in California. I was born in Senegal west Africa came here when I was nine years old, and believe me I was surprised. In Senegal, the average citizens image of North America is paradise. In reality is it? NO. In America the average Americans image of Africa is a jungle. In reality is it really? NO. So you see, -Kinship- is a book that I would recommend to anyone who refuses to continue growing up being ignorant of an important part of history. Some of the misconceptions Americans have on Africa are really heart-breaking, and those of Africans about Black Americans are also very misunderstood and to help prevent further ignorance I encourage all parents of African/ African-American Children to make it their job to educate their children about the opposite culture, because I believe it is the only tool we have to help us unite as one culture which is "Black or African" just like all white people call themselves "European". Let us not rely on the Discovery Channel and National Geographics because like Malcolm X said: The media has the power to make the guilty innocent and the innocent guilty.

Splendid work:
It is indeed a superb work by Phillipe. I find this book filled with enlightening facts and ideas, that in one way or another will (or has) help strengthen the black diaspora relations in recent decades. I Was really looking forward reading more work by Mr. P Wamba. May the Lord rest his Soul in Peace.

Died 9/11/2002 . Age 31:
After reading this interesting book on the African diaspora I went online to learn more about Africa and specifically how Philippe's father Professor Ernest Wamba dia Wamba was fairing in his currant fight against the Zairean government of Laurent Kabila, and now Joseph Kabila. The first thing that came up was "Philippe Wamba Obituary" Philippe uses his life and families experiences living on both Continents to explore Pan-Africanism, it's history and much more. What do Africans think of Black Americans and viceversa. What are their hopes and expectations of each other and their future together. Their mistrusts and fears. Philippe always was disappointed by Black Americans and specifically Black American college students (he attended Harvard) lack of interest in Africa and the Pan-African movement. But repeatedly gives examples of how Black Americans are still discriminated against in the US. And how difficult it is. Paralyzed by the poison of prejudice, which taints all. So it seems to me he keeps answering his own question of why aren't the US Blacks motivated. Because they still are fighting their own battles here and now. I'm sure the last thing on the mind of a Black American student at Harvard is Africa. His priority during those years is to himself, and rightly so. Wamba also gets into their music, religion, politics. Highly recommended reading. Well written. Atlantic slave trade "Most slaves were shipped from West Africa and Central Africa and taken to the New World (primarily Brazil (1)). Generally slaves were obtained through coastal trading with Africans, though some were captured by European slave traders through raids and kidnapping.(2)(3)" 1. Thomas, Hugh.The Slave Trade. Simon and Schuster, 1997. 2. King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa. Houghton Mifflin Books. ISBN 0618001905. 3. Klein, Herbert S. and Jacob Klein. The Atlantic Slave Trade. Cambridge University Press, 1999. pp. 103-139.

A book ahead of its time:
Philippe Wamba's book is a must read for all interested in humanity. Mr. Wamba records history that has been ignored by the world community in an interesting storytelling style. The book is ahead of its time. The author digs deep into the untold stories to examine the cause of division among people, from a global prospective. Mr. Wamba's rich observation is enhanced by his knowledge of history and a humble way of looking at his personal experiences across continents. In addition, he engages readers with an exemplary family and a coming of age story. The writer parallels his family tale with world history and current events. In the process, he neatly packages information that is not readily available. The book will make you laugh with pleasant stories and cry with cruel tales. It is a shame how we humans continue to ignore ideas that unite and enlighten us in favor of the old dividing ones, as we keep losing forward thinking leaders before their time - such as Philippe Wamba. The book shows us what type of history we create when we function in this world based on suspicion and ignorance among each other.