Roots tourism: a second wave of Double Consciousness for African Americans

Abstract

The African diaspora’s ‘re‐migration’ to presumed homelands in Africa has been steadily gaining popularity. In fact, with the recent emergence of the Black Travel Movement, including organizations and companies that cater specifically towards Black travelers, the industry has seen a surge in travelers wanting to ‘go back home’. This idea of returning to the homeland is permeated with symbolism and meaning, including a longing to regain a sense of social and cultural repatriation that was lost hundreds of years ago during the initial slave trade from Africa’s West coast, one of the most notable countries, being Ghana. Ghana has received quite a bit of attention in academic literature, however, few have analyzed the extent to which this type of roots travel can be connected to the identities of African-Americans and their search for social justice. In order to address this gap, this study will explore the lived experiences of African-American roots travelers on a trip Ghana. Using an ethnographic case study approach, data was collected before, during and after the trip. Findings reveal a form of ‘Double Consciousness’ and a sense of heightened civic commitment to social justice as a result of the travel experience.