Greetings
Allow me to introduce
Homeland, My Place Called Downhome. This website was inspired by hearing politicians on the campaign trail standing before diverse audiences saying, "I want to speak for you. Trust me with your vote."
I began to reflect, how can they speak for me if they have not heard my voice?
In America, leaders honestly express a desire to represent all of the people as well as they can. Trouble is, they cannot speak with a clear concept of assurance, for any but the group they identify with.
That is why I wrote this book. Too many assumptions have been made about how ADOS (American Descendants of Slaves) think, feel and what they experience. Instead, politicians run with the stereotypical, we all want the same thing ideology. They fail to represent us.
About the Book
I begin this book by expressing my 100% American-ness, the only homeland that ADOS know. We MUST begin here because a fundamental difference between us Americans with immigrant backgrounds, we differ on what homeland means.
Some people will be offended by the book because it upsets entrenched beliefs about entitlements by accepted rights. I ask you to continue reading because growth begins with unfamiliar truths. Truths that become knowledge and then strategies for change.
What does history teach us? Where is the evidence of truth from scholarly research? What do we consistently deny about human nature because it may not be pretty? If people treat others in demeaning ways, how do we explain behavior if they are of the same race? (yes, race is a construct) Why do people act in ways that they know are not nice and yet they justify their actions? This book explores this and much more.
Homeland governance demands rules that ensure procreation, nourishment, protection and survival. What are those universal rules? How are they applied in America?
Sharing the chapters will give a glimpse into the world of wonder in store for you.
1. Going Home Homeland is where the heart is
2. Who Do They Say We Are? Homeland means inclusion
3. ADOS Homeland Matters Homeland is where ancestors sleep
4. Who Are Human Animals? Homeland is where we control and protect
5. Building Homeland Homeland is my fellow Americans
6. America the Homeland Homeland is honoring one flag
7. United Nations of America Homeland is knowing the rules
8. People of Color Homeland is respectful
9. Homeland Rules Homeland is playing by the rules
10. Belief System Rules Homeland is Love. Respect, Do No Harm
11. I Want What I Want Homeland is sacrificing for the better good
12. Why Foreigners Are Treated Different Homeland is exclusive
13. ADOS Insults and Resentments Homeland is mine
14. Reparations Homeland means repairing damages
15. America Homeland Healing Homeland is US
16. My Homeland Homeland means Downhome
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Hard truths remain true. Homeland is full of hard truths. I make no apology for what
is written, first, because it reflects my ADOS truth that needs no apology. Second,
honest readers when asked about preserving homeland familiars that they hold dear,
will understand ADOS love of country and justification for repair and healing.
Addi Banks
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My Homeplace, Downhome Roots
