Out of Africa

There’s a multitude of Africans in the Diaspora. How does your life in the Diaspora line up or differ from this view of “What the Diaspora is all about”?

According to the United Nations, millennium goals for the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 are far off track—and when it comes to Africa the need is great and the prospects for moving forward are dim. None of the goals, which include a 50 percent reduction in extreme poverty and hunger; universal primary education; promotion of gender equality; reduction of child mortality by two-thirds; cutbacks in maternal mortality by three-quarters; combating the spread of malaria, HIV/AIDS and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a North-South global partnership for development are likely to be met in Africa, a United Nations study concluded.

Should we become the United States of Africa?

And even if we should, are we ready?

On Tuesday, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America.  It was a day when hope seeped back into the United States, a day when hoped swept through the rest of the world. 

While there is some argument over whether is speech (watch below) was lofty enough for the occasion, and whether or not it’ll be memorable, I don’t think anyone can argue that it set the tone for what his presidency will be like. I personally believe it was what was needed for the moment. As the first black president of the United States, there are so many expectations being laid on this man — not just by Americans, but by the world.

In an interview with The Gaurdian, former Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. and Israel, Prof. George Obiozor seemed to say it best:

“With this, America has proved again that it can be a nation of hope and promise; the U.S. has reconfirmed its heritage as a country of hope and promise.”

Africans especially seem to have high expectations. There is hope for a greater partnership between the U.S. and African countries — and not just in aid, but in TRUE development.  It means hope that African countries will also begin to put their best people forward and let democracy take its course and change our continent.  As written in an article on worldpress.org:

Barack Obama’s election and assumption of office has raised extraordinary expectations. No where are these expectations more stratospheric than in Africa, the continent of birth of the 44th President’s Father. Africans of all political persuasions, ethnicity and religion expect President Obama to keep faith with his deep African roots and make a difference in the continent.

Also sharing his thoughts with The Guardian, the former Minister of National Planning Sanusi Daggash said having Obama as the U.S. president holds a different kind of hope than any other American leaders.

“It represents a tremendous opportunity for Africans and Nigerians to seize the golden opportunity to reflect on issues on our Nigerianess, how we function as a people and international politics, our responsibilities to the world now that America has turned a new page with President Obama.”

But even with all these expecations, there are some realities Africans must face with this new administration. True, Obama knows Africa “from the ground up,” or at least more intimately than passed presidents. And yes, he understand poverty and instability from his childhood in Indonesia. Obama and his wife have also been actively involved in grassroot efforts throughout their lives, and grassroot efforts are essential to the developement of Africa. But when it comes down to it … we must remember that Obama belongs and serves the U.S. first, not Africa. 

The worldpress.org piece, written by Chinua Akukwe, that was one of the first realities he points out. Obama first needs to turn around the declining U.S. economy before he can truly reach out and help the rest of the world. There are also the two wars the U.S. is currently involved with in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Middle East definitely is a major concern on President Obama’s list of things to do. And as he’s stated in other interviews, building relationships with Latin America (a closer neighbor than Africa) is also a high priority.  He also needs to work on weaning the U.S. off its dependency on oil.  And let’s not even begin to talk about the health sector of the United States.  … President Obama has a lot on his plate. 

But even though Africans shouldn’t put TOO much hope in Obama and expect his first term to bring rapid change and perks for them, we need not fear that he will ignore our beloved continent. We are a growing source of oil, scarce natural minerals, trade and potential support in international institutions — America needs us, just as much as we might need them. And during his campaign, he did list three goals for Africa:

(1) Accelerate the integration of Africa into the global economy

(2) Enhance peace and security

(3) Strengthen institutions and civil society organizations 

All of this is achievable, but we must remember that Obama’s first and foremost priority is the United States. Meaning that it is Africa that has to step-up to make whatever help Obama can bring to our continent as president is not wasted.  Until we step up on our own, we will simply be an object of America’s foreign policy rather than a partner in it.  

Obama will not be the one to change Africa. The only thing Obama truly offers Africa is inspiration. 

His campaign is probably the best documented example of how to force your way over the barriers of discrimination and into the seat of power.  Its strategy was publicly and exhaustively debated.  Even its fundraising machine, the engine of the juggernaut, is no secret.  The pieces and processes are there if reformers wish to emulate Barack Obama’s attempt at a peaceful overturning of the status quo.  And though they may have the tacit support of the President, the success of such efforts is ultimately in the hands of people in Africa.  Barack Obama is a symbol of hope, but he cannot change the world alone.  – Michael Madill,  adjunct professor of government, Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, Illinois.

Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech: 

Recently I wrote a blog about whether or not Africans in the Diaspora should return home, or stay where they are. Well, if this beginning quote from an article in Zimbabwe’s Sunday News then all Africans have a strong incentive to go home.

DESPITE a general upward trend in economic and social growth in Africa, massive brain drain continues to its take toll on the continent, with analysts claiming that it has the same effects as the slave trade and is worse than colonialism.

For those of you who don’t know, brain drain is defined as the large emigration of people with technical skills or knowledge. Usually the drain happens as a result of conflict, lack of opportunity, political instability or health risks. For most Africans, I think lack of opportunity and political instability are on the top of the list for why they have left their homes.

According to Wikipedia, little has been discussed about the brain drain in regards to Africa. Only, since it’s listed as one of the main biggest issues facing the developing countries in Africa … I think it’s being discussed a lot. Maybe it’s not as researched.

Either way, it’s a big concern for the United Nations right now. One officials estimated that in 25 years, Africa will be void of most of its skill and intellect.

But how do we reverse Africa’s brain drain? And is it really a brain drain? I mean, there are A LOT of very very smart people in Africa. Very innovative and absolutely ingenious. What they lack is a platform and opportunity. Which, again, is why many of them find themselves overseas — getting good educations and making more money than they would be at home.

But if that keeps happening, what happens to Africa?

I won’t say that every African in the Diaspora needs to pack up and return back to their homes. But in some way we must aim to return the expertise we are gaining elsewhere.

Africans, that’s who!

“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.

How accurate do you think this research is?

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.”
4. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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.

… now that’s what I’m talking about.

It’s amazing how disconnected we can be from our roots once we step away from them. In the process of immigration, and joining the African Diaspora, it’s like we hold on to the past but forget about having an African present and/or future. There’s suddenly this disconnect between who I am in this new country and who I was (and would have been) in my home country.

I don’t think Africans in the Diaspora no longer care about Africa. Far from it. I’d say most remain passionate about their home countries and still attempt to stay abreast with what takes place there. But I think it’s a task that becomes rather difficult.

For one, here in America, any media coverage of the continent is usually one of the three D’s – death, destruction and despair. There’s just too much Afro-pessimism outside of the African continent. And some of the pessimism is what Africans carry with them. There’s a loss of hope, a loss of knowledge, a loss of understanding that could one day make Africa a better place. So many come and remember the lives they lived in the 80s, forgetting that things change and we are now in 2008.

Also, you really just need the right tools. The right places to go and the best publications to read.

There’s just this huge disconnect. A gap that needs to be bridged.

You could say I’m a different case than the average African immigrant. Mainly because I’m not an immigrant. I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. And have primarily lived in the United States. However, I am part of the African Diaspora. And I did live in Nigeria for my prime “growing up” years. And without those years, I’m not sure I’d have the passion for the African continent I have now.

I want to bridge the disconnect I feel. The disconnect I see in my fellow Africans in this country. I want to create a reconnection — to the politics, the economy, the social scene, the progression. I’ve asked my friends about this, and the thing we all want to know more about is the good happening in Africa. The good happening with Africans, on the continent or within the Diaspora. Our big questions are: How is the African community doing? And how can I be a part of the change for a better Africa?

As Diasporic Africans, we need to be aware of the good and the bad taking place. Stay abreast with what’s happening and what our fellow continent-men are doing to edify their lives and give Africa new life.

Whether we do this through reading various blogs on Africa like this one, or reading news sites like All Africa or the BBC, we need to stay informed. There are blogs on adoption, business, food (you know how important that is!), music … sites dedicated to technology, countries … you name it, you can find it.

Here’s another blog that I really like and hope to possible “compete” within content and relevancy.  

As I find really good site, I’ll make sure to add them to my blog roll. For now … I guess you can say my mission is try and bridge the gap for Africans in the Diaspora as best as I can.

We’ll see how I do, yeah?