If you’re African you most likely have either played soccer or know someone who does … and for the most part, you appreciate the sport. This is the fact a group in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex has harnessed to unify the area’s large African immigrant population.
The goal of the tournament, which is held at the University of Texas at Dallas, is to transcend the past, enjoy the present and meet fellow Africans. Apparently DFW International’s board realized that the simplest way to unite the area’s African immigrants (a number equaled to about 85,000) would be through our most cherished sport — SOCCER!!!
The Africa Unity Cup finals will be a face off for third place between Sudan and Morocco and later the championship between Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“Their good work ethic, focus and a drive to succeed that is honed by the limited socioeconomic opportunities in their native African countries.”
This is one of the main reasons that makes African immigrants so successful in the United States and elsewhere throughout the Diaspora, according to this article.
The professor cited in the story spent six years researching how Africans were incorporated into the U.S. society, discovering that overall, African immigrants not only perform better in education and employment than other immigrants, but also than the rest of the U.S. population in the same areas.
How cool is that?
The research also tried to correlate country of origin as a factor determining higher chance at success. Immigrants from English-speaking countries are more prepared, while immigrants from countries like Somalia, where many come as refugees, are less prepared.
Not so sure how the research was conducted, and am interested in finding out more about the results. But, the article is written for a student publication so it’s not very detailed.
A question I get asked often is whether or not I have intention to live and work in Nigeria when I’m done with school and stuff. It’s a valid question, I suppose, but also one that is very difficult to answer.
While I lived in Nigeria as a child, I’ve only been back once since I returned to the U.S. in 1998, and I’m not so sure how I’d fare in any African country as an adult. And not because it’s Africa … just because it’d be a whole new country, a whole new continent. It’s not like moving to a new state.
And while I acknowledge that going back “home” isn’t for everyone, a part of me does hope to do so. My parents did it, and are very happy with their choice. So we’ll see …
I found this blog by Mwangi (The Displaced African) that discussed the pros and cons about returning to Africa versus staying in the Diaspora. The writer seems to be leaning more on the side of returning versus staying since he gives 4 reasons to go, and only 3 to stay.
But see what you think? Valid enough reasons to return home? Or is there more incentive to stay in the Diaspora?
Reasons to Return to Africa
Money and Entrepreneurship: It’s easier for a person to leave the West and make their fortunes in Africa than it would be had he not left in the first place.
To follow in great footsteps: African greats like Nkrumah and Nyerere left the luxuries of the West to return to a life of servitude in Africa.
To be with people like you: As Mwangi put it, “The person who created the expression, “There’s no place like home,” must have been an immigrant.”
Retirement: “We want to retire in style and in dignity and so we return to the place where we can: home.”
Reasons to stay in the Diaspora
The people are mean: I’m not going to even attempt to explain the blogger’s reasoning with this. You’ll just have to read it yourself.
It’s Hard: “Put the Western government-industrial-corporate-military complex which also likes the status-quo on top of all that and you have the road that an African community organizer must take.”
You like where you are: Self-explanatory.
Based on this list, I think I’d go back to Nigeria. Or any African country. But while I think Mwangi’s discussion of the issue is a bit trite, I do agree that it’s a hard decision to make. And those who do chose to return home make a noble and often courageous choice, in my opinion.
Ever wondered what the difference between an H1 visa and F1 visa was? Or who qualifies for a green card versus non-immigrant status?
Well, Business Week offers a pretty concise Immigration Glossary to put everything in perspective.
Most of my friends are (or were) on the F-1 Visa, which is given to all international students. However, there is also the J-1 Visa, which is also given to students — but generally for a short educational or cultural exchange (e.g. researchers, exchange students, dancers, and performers).
There’s the highly coveted H-1B Visa (which has me wondering what a H-1A Visa is), which a non-U.S. citizen who will be temporarily employed in a specialty occupation. From this type of visa, many immigrants move on to obtain a Green Card, which makes you into a permanent resident. Before that? You may be given Adjustment of Status (AoS) or Advance Parole (AP), which are part of the last steps to becoming a permanent resident.
Then there are visas B-1, B-2, E-1, E-2, H-4, L-1 … oh the list goes on. While all this is fascinating, all I can say is I’m glad I’m a U.S. citizen.
Here’s to understanding immigration’s alphabet soup!
This story is the first part of a two-part series on NPR about polygamy.
In many African countries, polygamy is a way of life. And not only if you’re Muslim (as the NPR piece seems to say). Polygamy is a sign of wealth and of status. Many African chiefs (an honor given out somewhat freely nowadays; I’d liken them to the American socialite or something) take on two or three extra wives as his wealth increases or as he moves up in honor.
Even if this story focuses on polygamy in African Muslims, it points out many of the issues polygamy has for the many wives of the men who practice it. And what happens when these men move to America, or other parts of the world where polygamy is illegal?
Ever wondered how to tie those gloriously elaborate head-ties (known as geles, in Yoruba)?
So have I.
While I have worn many upon my own head, I’ve never been able to master how to tie them myself. So I got my sister to show me. Let’s learn how to together …
One of the first stories I wrote for the Medill News Service was about the Darfur crisis in northern Sudan. The crisis is a continuation of two civil wars Sudan has already gone through. It’s almost been like non-stop violence and fighting has gone on in this country. And although the perpetrators and aggressors have changed faces, more or less over time, the victims remain the same - millions of children displaced, families split up and separated, the general collateral damage of war.
During the second civil war in Sudan, the collateral damage bared the face of thousands of boys who became known as The Lost Boys of Sudan. Unlike the whimsical Lost Boys in the pages of ‘Peter Pan,’ very little about their lives is envious or wonderfully exciting. (this New York Times story is amazing, really compelling).
Here’s a recording of Mabouc Mabouc, a Lost Boy who resides in Chicago and acts as a social worker for the Pan African Association and a spokesperson for the Darfur crisis. He tells an abbreviated version of his story - from being seperated from his family, walking across multiple countries, living in refugee camps and eventually making it to the United States.
His story is sad, but as Mabouc points out: He is one of the lucky ones.
So this blog isn’t newsworthy in the sense that it’s something immediate and super important.
BUT … this blog is about an amazing family that has a great foundation that helps people in Liberia. Some of their projects include:
1. Rainbow Town - sustaining and maintaining this orphanage for 86 war orphans in Gbargna, Liberia.
2. EKIA - Enhancing Knowledge of Illiterate Adults is an adult literacy program, which will teach 500 Liberians how to read and write.
3. Britt Academy - They recently finished construction of this school and continue to support the operation of the school which includes the provision of teacher salaries and school materials.
4. Medical Missions - They organize short-term medical teams from the U.S. will travel to rural areas of Liberia to provide free medical care.
One South African compares the country to America and it’s illegal immigration debates. She writes:
South Africa has been considered an inspiration to those fighting for freedom and equality through its grassroots movements for racial equality, voting reform and the unique way it has dealt with its violent past. In our appreciation of how far it has come, we seem to have forgotten that the struggles of the democratic South Africa are far from over.
Leading up to this, statements have been made bringing this growing xenophobia to the light and urging South Africans to flee from it. There had also been a call to naturalize the millions of illegal immigrants living in the country, many listed as refugees and receiving asylum.
I found this picture on African Echo’s website, and thought it was a little seen break-up of how Africa was divided up by its European colonizers.
It’s kind of cool because I always say Britain as the primary imperialistic country; trying to rule and own the whole world and make it it’s own. Britain is known for its imperialistic history … and for not being the best of colonial masters (granted King Leopold was the worst Africa ever saw).
This picture shows France was also a primary colonizer in Africa, and it also shows lesser known colonial masters like Italy, Belgium (re: King Leopold), Germany, Portugal and Spain. It also show Ethiopia as Independent — the only country not to be colonized (another fact, I think little people know about Africa).
(Source: My Mobile World)
