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(More customer reviews)Ever since he could remember, no matter where Isaiah Washington went in the U.S., African natives would stop him and ask what country in Africa he came from or what tribe he belonged to. He would always disappoint them with the answer, "I was born and raised in Houston, Texas." From the time he was very young, Washington felt a kinship with Africa. In the color-struck African-American community, where intra-racial colorism ran rampant, he was always fine with his dark skin; he relished in it and refused to let anyone make him inferior. In his memoir, A Man from Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life, Isaiah Washington recounts his journey of discovering his African ancestry.
After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Washington entered Howard University in Washington D.C. where he was confronted with more colorism issues from classmates and college officials, which only served to draw him closer to his African roots. He became an activist, joining protests against South Africa apartheid and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. He began acting at Howard and soon was doing dinner theater, then the plays and films with Spike Lee in New York and eventually movies in Los Angeles. In 1998 he went to Namibia to shoot a movie, Kin. The crew went to Cape Town first and when they stepped off of the airplane, Washington felt as if he had arrived home. Sitting by the river, a force came over him that shook him to his core and he knew he had been there before. Later after he returned home, he was put in contact with Dr. Kittles of African Ancestry, his DNA was tested and it was revealed he shared 99.9 percent ancestry with the Mende and Temne people of Sierra Leone and his paternal side revealed he shared 99.3 percent with the Mbundfu people of Angola.
Washington became more visible as one of the stars on Grey's Anatomy, a hospital drama and began to think of ways he could connect with Sierra Leone. He established a foundation, The Gondobay Manga Foundation, putting together a stellar staff and establishing relationships in Sierra Leone and cultivating support in several arenas, including the White House. He came away from Freetown, Sierra Leone vowing to build a school there. He also began cultivating relationships there in Africa. There were officials and tribal chiefs whose power and influence could be the gateway to access for resources in order for Washington to obtain his goals.
Meanwhile in Hollywood Washington's star was soaring but he hit a rough spot in fall 2007 when he had a dispute with a fellow actor on the set of his television show. In the entertainment world, one slip of the tongue, one bad judgment call, or one false move can be a career-deal breaker. After months of uncertainty filled with tension that became worse when attempts to repair his image backfired, he was let go by producer Shonda Rhimes who was pressured by ABC officials. There were some hard times that followed but his dedication to his dream and promise to Sierra Leone kept him going. He continued to work tirelessly with his foundation making several trips to Africa and acquiring other acting roles. Isaiah Washington, a man from another land, was on his way to fulfilling his destiny.
I recommend this book to those who are involved with genealogical research and others who are searching for their African roots. The advance copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub
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A Man from Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My LifeIn this inspirational memoir, Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington explains how filling in the gaps of his past led him to discover a new passion: helping those less fortunate. DNA testing revealed that Washington was descended from the Mende people, who today live in Sierra Leone. For many people, the story would end with the results of the search; for Isaiah, it had just begun. Discovering his roots has given him a new purpose, to lead an inspirational life defined by faith and charity.After visiting Sierra Leone, and researching the country and its needs, Washington forged a strong relationship with the Mende people, and was inducted as Chief Gondobay Manga in May 2006. He established The Gondobay Manga Foundation to institute many improvements suggested by the country's people, addressing educational concerns, practical issues (road building, water supply, and electricity), and rehabilitative projects.Dual citizenship has been a dream of African-Americans such as W.E.B. DuBois, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, but Washington became the first to realize that honor in 2008. A twofold milestone, it was also the first time an African president granted citizenship based on DNA.
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