2. Word?
Growing up I heard stories, from various sources, about how Africans in Africa don’t like African Americans for a lot of the same reasons white people don’t like us; for no real reason at all. They have a derogatory name for us and everything. I was told that Africa wasn’t a place for African Americans. Most of the Black people I know believed the same thing. My father was in the Nation of Islam and I still believed this. That was my reality until 2019.
Despite that being my reality, I got an opportunity to go East Africa Yacht Week in the Seychelles and I jumped on it. How did that happen?

Cut to me being dragged by my friends to go to an event called “Brunch 2 Bomb” for my birthday. Me not wanting to go. Having a good time somehow. Signing up for their newsletter while I was there. Them sending out an email blast about a trip to East Africa Yacht Week in the Seychelles. Me seeing the pictures of all of the Black women on boats in beautiful waters, all over the Yacht Week website and me clicking “book it!”
Did I know anyone else who was also going on said trip? Nope. Was I going to let something like that stop me from island hopping on a yacht with a huge group of other Black people from all over the world? Nope! Parties and food and beaches and good times. I was in! I didn’t know exactly where the Seychelles was in Africa, but I was in! I envisioned a situation a lot like Cuba, a vacation from white people. But with the internet? Would I need a translator? I wasn’t sure. By the time these questions arise, my YouTube habit is in full effect. Let’s find out.
As I watch video after video about the Seychelles and how to be lit on a yacht for instagram, the greatest threat to free time everywhere, the related videos column on YouTube, is starting to fill with more and videos of different African tourist destinations. I tried to stay focused but eventually, the slipperiest slope to the deepest man-made rabbit hole you could ever fall down, won out.
Now I’m watching videos about different places to vacation in Africa. I didn’t know half of these places existed or had only heard about them and never seen them. I’m fascinated. I discovered that there are a lot of African YouTubers who tour the continent to highlight the beauty of Africa to help change the way the world looks at Africa. I knew that every African nation wasn’t poor and people lived in huts, starving kids, war, and all of the other negative things that people say, think and don’t want to associate themselves with. I knew that wasn’t it, but I didn’t know anything else.
Beautifully written. I have followed you a long time. Think 2000’s… Bumblebee story. There is something about your soul that is extra ordinary, you are imperfect but what I notice about you is introspection You have an open mind and whether you believe it or not, you are a good person.
The paths that led you to Africa wasnt by mistake. You were meant to be there and I was so happy for you. Wasnt least bit shocked your ancestral results traced you back to Yorubaland. You come from great people. Your open mind, ability to seek out and integrate new experiences aren’t a mistake. I’m glad you took that step… your journey has just begun. Thank you for sharing this blog. May the ancestors always guide your path.
Wow, thank you for saying that. I really appreciate it. It does feel like all fo this was meant to happen. Im extremely grateful.
I read it All. Your writing has tremendously improved. This is beautiful. Hope you savour every bit of your Yorubaness, Yorubas are party people so you definitely no miss road. Beautiful write up. You did good!
Bro this is dope as hell. I’m glad you were able to publish this! This inspires me to get the fuck outta here man! I gotta go and I mean permanently!
Thanks! I wish my Max was here to read it tho. My Dad too.
Ohjay I have no words. I literally laughed and cried reading this. You have an amazing talent for story telling that’s for damn sure! If you need editing let me know hahaha I was mentally correcting as I read but I know you and I love your imperfections, always have. Max would have loved this! Dammit now I wanna go to Africa! I have family in The Gambia and I would love to visit. My dad did the African Ancestry DNA test too, we also hail from the Yoruba Tribe my light bright mixed ass has ancestral lands all over the world! One day…
AAAYYYEEEEE!!!!! HIGH FIVE! Knowing what kind of African I am is kind of an amazing feeling. Thank you and yea, I might have to take you up on that editing offer. I need to get better lol.