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Wesleyan University

Publication Date

Fall 2007

Program Name

Ghana: History and Cultures of the African Diaspora

Abstract

The intention of my Independent Study Project was to learn more about what motivates some Afro Americans to repatriate here and/or return habitually and explore whether there were a diverse number of reasons and motivating factors. This aim and question was also put in a historical context. For instance, my research has shown that the Back to African movements of the past mostly aimed to be communal relocations, compared with the current condition of mostly individualistic moves. I also found that although not all of the participants in my project identified as followers of Garvey or Pan Africanism, they often still espoused ideals in line with the ideologies. I also wanted to shed light on what happens after repatriation such as what the difficulties and benefits are because little has been written in this area. This answered the underlying question in all of my research which was whether descendents and members of the Diaspora can feel a sense of belonging in their ancestral homeland, or if cultural differences such as country of upbringing, socio-economic status, education level, occupation, language, etc. always posited them as outsider. In concluding my research, I found that all of the participants believed there was an intrinsic connection to their African brothers and sisters despite cultural differences existing, and that whatever divisions did occur were more the result of racism and Western white supremacy that aimed to disrupt black unity. Therefore, in many ways despite having to adjust to a new place, they each found the solace and personal goals they had been seeking out when repatriating.

Disciplines

Place and Environment | Race and Ethnicity

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