Creating Africa in America: Translocal Identity in an Emerging World City

In the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul their is an emerging community of African, Hmong, and Native American populations unparalled to none in this country. This seminal discussion of multi-culturalism, health and wellness really helped me to understand the universality of our indigenous cultures. These cultures were brought together by an inner city non-profit that uses an African traditional practices to bring all cultures into one; connecting the disconnected in the healing process. Despite troubles of the author/researcher Copeland-Carson of being accepted as a researcher, she was not only able to be objective but became emerged in the synergy of giving and receiving, and was eventually fully accepted in the process. The process of self-discovery, that is, how do you determine your identity, added profound dignity to all people's around the world. The discussions groups were lively, spirited, brutally honest, and thought provoking. Indeed the non-profit sector may become the leadership of the 21st century that paves the way toward "unleashing" the power within to heal oneself through traditional cultures by way of Body/Mind/Spirit. This serious academic assessment of the Cultural Wellness Center seemed to be quite a struggle for Copeland-Carson as she was challenged by the wholistic approach of the Center and her sometimes linear Anthropological background. Thus the author was "betwixt and between," pulling together information that cannot always be measured. This book is certainly not for bedside reading unless you are serious about academic research in ethnography, identity formation, anthropology, and translocalism. Copeland-Carson was able to conclude that indeed although most people focus on the social ills of the inner city, the glass is "half full" and filling up fast!