Blaxit: I'm Leaving America
Blaxit: I'm leaving America
Happy New Year/2021 and Fearless Friday!
I think I can speak for everyone when I say 2020 was a tough year. From Kobe to Covid to Chadwick to the election, it was a whole big mess.
For today’s blog post, I’m going to talk about a different fear of mine. This fear is probably shared widely among my fellow black mothers, sisters, daughters, etc. It’s the fear of losing any black man or boy in your life to police brutality or racial injustice. There’s been one “Karen” after another carelessly calling police on blacks for literally doing nothing while police terrorize black people and end up killing them over $20. I have two black sons and I’m terrified of what could happen if they ever have to encounter the police.
“Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American. Why, if birth made you American, you wouldn’t need any legislation; you wouldn’t need any amendments to the Constitution…I don’t see any American dream; I see an American nightmare.” - Malcolm X
I’ve probably been thinking about moving out of the country since even before Mike Brown’s murder. I just hate the fact that my ancestors were forced to come here and into slavery, went through Jim Crow, and were forced to fight wars for a country that hates us, but we are still dealing with entire systems designed for our failure and on top of all this, we’re being killed literally for doing nothing by the people sent to “protect and serve”. My dad was drafted for the Vietnam War, was injured in battle and sent home only to deal with ptsd and for what??? This country does not deserve everything we brought to the table and don’t deserve our black children being a part of the future in my opinion. If I had it my way my children and grandchildren would not live in America. So these thoughts and fears made me do a little research and I’ve made my list (in progress) of countries I find the most appealing for us to move to.
Accra, Ghana
Ghana 🇬🇭
The first thing that comes to mind is that Akwasi Agyeman, chief executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority called to Black Americans saying ‘come home, we’ll help you build a life here’. Ghana has been inviting us for decades and although it’s a pretty young country, they are making strides to make things as comfortable as possible for blacks wanting to leave America. Some current expats are attesting to great rooftops, a beautiful shoreline and uniquely sweet pineapples. And if there’s one fruit I DO love, it’s pineapples!
“While “Blaxit”—the term used to describe the migration of Black Americans to other countries to escape U.S. racism—has been more modest than expected in the wake of the 2016 election, the number of African-Americans relocating to Accra, the capital of Ghana, is on the rise, with up to 5,000 Black American expats living there now.”
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Thailand 🇹🇭
A beautiful country in Asia that offers the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) programs for Americans to teach English in local schools. “What makes the States beautiful is what some people in the U.S. are trying to eliminate—which is diversity.” - Frantzces who explains that the only challenge she faces as an immigrant in Thailand as keeping connections and long flights to America. Thailand is also known for very low prices when compared to America so the dollar goes a long way.
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
After visiting Costa Rica a few years back, I fell in love the place to be quite honest, the vast nature and beauty, the wildlife, the people, the vibe there is great. Pura Vida! A common saying in Costa Rica meaning Pure Life! Costa Rica is known as one of Latin’s most peaceful nations, politically stable and has been without an army for over 60 years. Although, there’s known discrimination against Afro Caribbeans, there’s little if any discrimination against African Americans. Establishing a business is very popular for people immigrating to Costa Rica, because when you do and you keep a certain amount of employees, you’re able to gain citizenship.
London Bridge
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Even though I know I’d never move to the UK, I wanted to mention it here because I heard on multiple occasions that many blacks have moved here and have had overall good experiences here. I’m not interested though only due to the gloominess and weather. I met a guy who lived in the UK for years and I was told that using the “N” word in public is against the law here. Racism isn’t nonexistent, however, there are laws against and it’s not tolerated in the UK.
Some of my other honorable mentions include Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 , New Zealand 🇳🇿 , South Africa 🇿🇦, and Belize 🇧🇿 .
I’d love to hear from others on this topic! Please comment here or on IG what places I should consider adding to my list.
Hoping for a Prosperous year ahead to everyone! 🤗😘
P.S. Did you know that….
Nina Simone called America the “United Snakes of America”, and lived in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Liberia, Barbados , and Blegium. Asked that her ashes be spread in several African countries..
Drayton lives in Trinidad and Tobago…
Mos Def went to South Africa fed up with inequality and racism…
James Baldwin lived in Paris…
Langston Huges was part of a expatriate community in London…
References :
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ghana-to-black-americans-come-home-well-help-you-build-a-life-here/2020/07/03/1b11a914-b4e3-11ea-9a1d-d3db1cbe07ce_story.html
https://travelnoire.com/black-and-abroad-living-and-working-in-thailand
https://www.essence.com/news/is-blaxit-for-you/
https://www.theroot.com/5-places-black-people-can-move-to-when-they-ve-had-enou-1790860514
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-countries-for-american-expats