My Global Journeys in search of the African Presence by Runoko Rashidi
by Runoko Rashidi
Paperback. 370 pages.
9781574781212
As a young man, scholar and historian Runoko Rashidi was inspired by traveling journalist and historian J. A. Rogers. Rogers was undefeatable in rescuing and uncovering Black history from obscure places around the world as well as in unearthing African origins among many of Europe’s historical ruling families. W.E. B. DuBois once wrote of Rogers, “No man alive has written more about the Negro.” In Rogers’ life and work, Rashidi found inspiration and pledged to travel the world much like Rogers had done, following in his footsteps and witnessing firsthand the presence of Africa around the world.
This book documents Rashidi’s inspired Global Journeys in Search of the African Presence. This unique travelogue records his country-by-country travels in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Russia, the Pacific and Caribbean Islands, and Central and South America. It also recounts his day-by-day encounters with people, historical markers, art, and cultural practices that both separate and unite Blacks around the world. It’s a richly illustrated text with colorful photos primarily taken by the author. The photos do a wonderful job of highlighting the author’s pursuit of global Africa. They also present readers with the same stunning visual African presence that Rashidi found and still finds as he continues his travels today. He has visited more than 100 countries, long ago surpassing the 60 that Rogers, his inspiration, visited.
