Leaving the American ๐บ๐ธ dream behind. Reflections of an African immigrant in the US
Leaving the American ๐บ๐ธ dream behind. Reflections of an African immigrant in the US
Why would you want to leave the American dream behind? This is a question that so many of us African immigrants to the United States get from family and friends. The truth is most immigrants believe in the American Dream. Me included. However, I believe that one of the advantages and privileges we have after being in the capitalist machine isโฆ
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This is an interesting perspective that most are not discussing. Thanks for covering this topic.
I found immigration paperwork for my grandfather who came to the US from Jamaica and it made me pause and think about all he had to do to get to the USA in the early 1900โs.
As a first and second generation American, I had to analyze leaving a country that my ancestors fought so hard to get to.
The American Dream is too stressful.
Great video. I understand your perspective. ๐
I'm American and have been considering living abroad since September 2019.
I do have plans to live abroad or split my time between US & some other places. ๐๐พ ๐คฒ๐พ
My opinion is that people back home who get money sent to them regularly wonโt understand a move back because thatโs about to be the end of their income source! And they sure wouldnโt want that.
Great video and great perspective. As an American, I too am moving abroad and leaving the US for a while. Have a wonderful homecomingโจ๐ซถ๐ฝ
Makes sense.
Even in the US these thoughts happen and people go back to their original hometown in another state.
You spoke so eloquently about a complex issue. My parents came to the US from Haiti during the rise of the Duvalier regime and as the Civil Rights movement in the US was unfolding. My parents would 100% agree with your perspective.
I love how you relate the Maslow hierarchy of needs to the immigrant experience, and in particular the Black immigrant. I love your honesty, and I see why you say the American Deream is alive and well, and why capitalism works. I also understand why you would want to go back. You have achieved that base level of need. If you're ready, it is time to climb up the existential ladder.
We are living in challenging times not just in America and Europe, but also in the emerging world. A lot of eyes are turning to Africa. There's a new scramble for Africa. If Africa is ever to have a chance to sit at the world table as an equal, then the best and brightest of its citizens need to go back, and bring with them the wisdom they have gained from living outside of Africa in the West. That's what social impact means to me. What I love about your testimony is that you say what no one really addresses. Materialism is not the source of happiness or success. Africa has the possibility of presenting a more complete notion of happiness that does not involve obsession with consumerism.
I look forward to following your journey and wish you much success in the future.
I can fully appreciate this view ๐ง
I feel this. There's A LOT OF US. I've enjoyed living in the US, but now i feel like i have more peace at home and also more opportunities. Don't want to spend the rest of my life in any place with the type of social issues the US has right now.
Moving for me has been a multistage process, but i knew 10 years ago I wanted to leave the US.
Now i spend 5 months in the US and 7 months in southern africa, while i stand up the business I will fall into when im done with Corporate life.
As an South African who would like to move abroad, this video has opened my eyes.
80 percent of 13 percent is 0.104. Take em.all.with you.please. theyre destroying our country. Id rather be broke and free. Then the melanin attitude blame of everyone.
This is interesting. I have been wondering why African immigrants are able to come to the US and check all their boxes so easily, but African Americans always say you can't have it all at once. U.S. born Black women struggle to get the husband, career, house, and everything they want. Many never do. Is it a mindset thing? Culture thing? idkโฆ
Thank you for sharing, I truly appreciate it. I left America over 5 years ago with no regrets! Great video!!!
This is an interesting topic because everyone has different opinions based on their experience. Born and raised in America, I care about quality of life. Having a chef, driver, etc., is expensive here in the US. My family and I can live a peaceful and sustainable lifestyle aboard with one retirement check. Yes, we will move back to Africa when the time is right. The husband is from Nigeria, but we are looking at other surrounding countries. My American family thinks I am crazy, but these same folks have never traveled outside the US and have tried to pass on their fears to me. I am the grandchild who left at 18 years old and never looked back.
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Yes spend 14 yrs and canโt wait to go back ๐
I've been revisiting my understanding of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for the past 2 months. And I feel that reaching self-actualization can only happen for me here in Mexico where I have more freedom and peace. While growing older in the US, things were threatening what I had already accomplished. I believe that even in old age I will be full of vitality, productive and prospering abroad. Inspired be Psalm 92:13-14
So beautifully said. Like you said, many wonโt understand (starting with family), but we must walk our own paths courageously.
When are you moving back?