Searching for those who departed for another land
by Jack GrantVoice of America has a program called Night Line Africa targeted at Africa and hosted by a man who calls himself “Uncle Ted” though his real name is Ted Roberts. He uses an interesting patter when he links together different parts of the show, with repetition and rhythm I have never encountered in radio programs. He uses a “Night Train” metaphor with a clip of whom I believe is James Brown saying, “All aboard… the night train!”
I listen to the show over the Internet, streaming it from KCRW. One of the segments is “Uncle Ted’s voice-mail” where people call in and leave messages. The vast majority of calls are from people in different nations of Africa asking for relatives who left for the United States to telephone them at the phone number they leave in their message.
It is quite poignant, with people seeking their mothers or siblings who often have not been heard from for years.
I wonder how often their calls are heard by those they seek.
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There are many tragedies and sorrows in this world. Watching my mother wonder what happened to those she loved and left behind in her home country, then grieve their absence makes me believe that kind of loss and has to be some of the most difficult. I do not know which is worse for her, the not knowing or the absence. I do not guess it really matters, combined they are crippling, even for one as strong of spirit as hers.
By C on 11.19.05 18:28