LF: Why some African Americans are moving to Africa

Accra, Ghana - They have come from the big cities of San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. Thousands of them. And many refuse to return.

A new wave of African Americans is escaping the incessant racism and prejudice in the United States. From Senegal and Ghana to The Gambia, communities are emerging in defiance of conventional wisdom that Africa is a continent everyone is trying to leave.

It is estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 African Americans live in Accra, the Ghanaian capital. They are teachers in small towns in the west or entrepreneurs in the capital and say they that even though living in Ghana is not always easy, they feel free and safe.

Take Muhammida el-Muhajir, a digital marketer from New York City, who left her job to move to Accra.

She says she moved, because despite her education and experience, she was always made to feel like a second-class citizen. Moving was an opportunity to fulfil her potential and avoid being targeted by racial violence.

She told Al Jazeera her story:

On life as a second-class citizen in the US...

"I grew up in Philadelphia and then New York. I went to Howard, which is a historically black university. I tell people that Ghana is like Howard in real life. It felt like a microcosm of the world. At university, they tell us the world isn't black, but there are places where this is the real world. Howard prepares you for a world where black people are in charge, which is a completely different experience compared to people who have gone to predominantly white universities."

I can't say what's happening in America today is any worse than what's been happening at any other time.
Muhammida el-Muhajir

On her first trip to Africa...

"The first country I went to was Kenya. I was 15 and travelled with a group of kids. I was one of two black kids. I saw early that I could fit in and wasn't an outsider. Suddenly it switched, I came from America where I was an outsider, but in Africa, I no longer felt like that. I did graduate school in Ghana in 2003 and went back to New York and then moved to Ghana in 2014.

"I have no connection to Ghana. Some people in my family did tests, and we found ties to Senegal and The Gambia, but I don't think you can ever figure it out. No matter where you were sold or left the port, Senegal or Ghana, no one can be certain where you came from."

No matter where you were sold or left the port, Senegal or Ghana, no one can be certain where you came from.
Muhammida el-Muhajir

Market in Agbogbloshie, a district in Accra, Ghana's capital [Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images]

On leaving New York for Accra...

"Even when you live in a place like New York as a black person, you're always an outsider.

"You hear stories about the richest black people, like Oprah Winfrey, getting shut out of a store or Jay-Z not being allowed to buy [an apartment]. Those things happen. It doesn't matter if you're a celebrity, you're a second-class citizen. This was the biggest issue for me.

"In America, you're always trying to prove yourself; I don't need to prove myself to anyone else's standards here. I'm a champion, I ran track and went to university, and I like to win, so I refuse to be in a situation where I will never win."

You might not have electricity, but you won't get killed by the police either.
Muhammida el-Muhajir

On moving to Ghana...

"There are amenities that I am used to at home in New York - like parties, open bars and fashion, so when I realised I could do the same things in Africa as I could back in the US, I was sold. There is also a big street art festival here, and that was the difference from when I came [as a student]. I saw the things that I love at home here, so I decided that now is the time."

On Ghanaian reactions...

"When Ghanaians find out that I live here, they're usually confused about why I chose to live here as an American. There is definitely certain access and privilege being American here, but it's great to finally cash in on that because it doesn't mean anything in America.

"There are also plenty of privileged Ghanaians; if you take away race there's a class system."

Modern architecture in Ghana's capital [Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images]

On the 'Blaxit' documentary...

"In my documentary, I chose five people that I've met since I've been here and every one of them went to a black college in the US. It's something that prepares you mentally to realise you aren't a second-class citizen. Something like that can help you make a transition to live in Africa.

"I made Blaxit because of this wave of African-Americans moving to Africa. This trend started to happen around independence of African countries, but the new wave [comprises] people who come to places like this. This new group has certain access in America and comes here to have that lifestyle in Africa.

"Unbeknown to us, we're living out the vision that [Ghanaian politician and revolutionary] Kwame Nkrumah set out for us, of this country being the gateway to Africa for the black diaspora.

"I don't want people to think that Africa is this magic utopia where all your issues will go away. It's just that some of the things you might face in America as a black person - you won't have to suffer with those things here.

"You might not have electricity, but you won't get killed by the police either.

"I want people to understand that they have options and alternatives. Most black people in America don't know that these options exist; they think they have to suffer because there's nowhere else to go. But no, there are other places."

On the prospect of more African-Americans moving...

"I think more will come when they begin to see it as a viable alternative. But it's not easy and it's not cheap. I can't say what's happening in America today is any worse than what's been happening at any other time. I think now is the time that people are starting to see they can live somewhere else."

This interview was edited for clarity and length.

Follow Azad Essa on Twitter: @AzadEssa

Post a followup when these "Africans" give up their American citizenship. Until then, I won't be holding my breath.

I bet white Americans traveling/working in Africa outnumber these black race tourists about 10:1.

For Americans who have permanently left the USA, US citizenship is often much more a liability than a benefit. FATCA and taxation being the reasons. FATCA is the fed gov's financial stalking legislation that penalizes foreign banks if they fail to report account holdings of US citizens. Those banks sometimes respond by simply closing accounts of American expats, making them into second rate citizens in the places they live.

Any white guy who moved from Johannesburg to Phoenix is more "African-American" than these people.

What did you get, a doctorate in nuclear physics with a minor in physical chemistry?

A spoon-fed Affirmative-Action black Moo-slem who has been gifted all the blessings of Euro-White-Christian culture and society JUST BECAUSE SHE'S BLACK/FEMALE/MINORITY. And here she is whining about being prevented from "winning"?? The Soviet Media can't wait to report on propagandist BS like this from our good friends at Mooslem-owned and operated Al Jazeera.

Muhammida el-Muhajir: "No matter where you were sold or left the port, Senegal or Ghana, no one can be certain where you came from."

Missing the slight irony again, isn't she? Totally oblivious or in-denial that African-AFRICANS "sold" her ancestors in Senegal OR Ghana as slaves. OR that her "people" are STILL enslaving fellow black Africans in the year 2018 AD. (Not that this concerned either Barry 0bama, Susan Rice, or any of 0bama's posse of Soviet "Democrats of Color."

But...but...no. Cuz you must be racist. Whitey CAN'T be "African." Even if his family has lived in Africa for generation building its concrete and steel skyline.

So when they close down these accounts, do they let the American expats keep their assets or confiscate them?

The propaganda value of this piece can only be taken seriously by the most delusional of Leftists-Dems-BLMers.

The real reason why African-Americans are moving to Africa (Ethiopia) is that this is the real God's country, the land of milk and honey. The African-Americans are descendants from Ham (people of ancient Canaan- father of the black people). They are returning to their true roots.

Affected foreign banks have no axe to grind with their American customers, so there's no issue with them confiscating customer's money. They would simply inform American customers that they will no longer offer services and the expats would simply close the account as normal and withdraw any balances. And new customers of US citizenship are simply turned away with apologies.

It's not all banks that refuse to comply. Some do comply and keep US customers. It depends on how conflicting the requirement is to each bank's policy, and perhaps, the laws of the country they operate in. Each bank decides what to do on a case by case basis.

There may be a $10k minimum that needs to be met as well. Not sure of the details.

I think one of the original Black Panthers that was wanted for murder fled to Africa,and lived there for several years before coming back to the US. When he did come back he wasn't very popular with the blacks or the leftie whites because after that personal experience,he wanted to rant and rave about how wonderful America is compared to Africa. He was treated well by the government there because they wanted to rub it in America's face,but said the typical African showed nothing but contempt for him because he was a descendant of slaves.

I bet white Americans traveling/working in Africa outnumber these black race tourists about 10:1.

Probably,but the untold story is she probably has no more contact with the typical African there than she did in NYC. She lives amongst the ruling class and socializes with them and other black Americans in a upscale area of the capital city. She might as well be white or Jewish in Manhattan.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

It is,until to quote the Tarzan movies,"the natives get restless" and throw her ass in a cooking pot.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

The Omen original I liked. It was the part about the priest mouthing the words "When the Jews return to Zion" to warn of God's prophetic message that made me think. When I started to look into this message, it became more clear to me what it meant.

I'll say this about those African-Americans returning to their roots. I applaud them but at the same time, what awaits them in Africa will not be much pleasant because most of Africa is controlled by ISIS and the Islamic State (which the US trained). This means that they will have to either convert to the Muslim faith or face death. At one time, Africa (ancient Ethiopia was the land of God and plenty) But that region has endured so so much hardship and bloodshed that I shudder to think of those who would return to their homeland roots at this time. It is why I mentioned the Zion message above as I believe it applies to particularly these people. When this will happen, it will be a time of Jacob's trouble as never before and involve the U.S. in an international crisis because we do business with Ghana and much of Africa today.

I don't know about right this moment,but 10 + years ago they LOVED wealthy black Americans moving to Africa. Right up to the time they managed to steal all the money they brought with them or they can get wired from relatives in the states,and after that it rapes and beatings for the lucky ones. Death for the ones no lucky enough to still have relatives in the states with enough money to buy their freedom.

African blacks have nothing but contempt and hatred for western blacks because they are the offspring of slaves.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

I tried to watch the second Omen but Liev Schreiber is no Gregory Peck. I could see why they chose Schreiber though. He wasn't awful in the role.

Some movies really should not be remade. I keep thinking they'll try a remake of Lawrence of Arabia. I hope not.

You recall that Samuel Jackson was threatening to move to South Africa if Trump won?

Yeah, he wasn't actually serious. They were throwing parades and rejoicing, ready to meet him at the airport. They were kinda disappointed.

Asked during the skit to predict if Mr. Trump would be the next president, Mr. Jackson replied, “If that mother–– becomes president, I’m moving my black a— to South Africa.”

It is very difficult and expensive. And if you have more money you need to pay an exit tax.

This is much more efficient than Berlin Wall, to keep you in. Sometimes it is easier to get in than out.

I would be interested if you provided some info on your claim. Is it in a particular African country or all of them? Or is it only in your imagination?

"I've got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school, that I innoculate for 75 cents a day. Which is practically nothing compared to what it cost to send him there."
-- Anthony Jeselnik

When I was in Tanzania, the impression I got was that they don't like American blacks.

It is a historical fact that the very first slave in the English-speaking New World was a black indentured servant that was enslaved by his black employer,who himself had came here as an indentured servant.

I would be interested if you provided some info on your claim. Is it in a particular African country or all of them? Or is it only in your imagination?

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

I believe this relates to the future concerning the true Israelites returning to Sion. https://bible.org/seriespage/22-return-promised-land-ezra

If you are going to cite these "historical facts," it might be a good idea to present some information documenting them.

I know I've never heard this before. If you don't, you you just sound like CNN claiming "anonymous sources."

Why? It's not a secret,and it's been posted here before. If you don't believe it to be true,look it up yourself using keywords like Jamestown and Slavery.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

Back in 2005, I had this dream that I was visiting some town and noticed a sign that read, "Lamplighters". I could not understand its meaning until somebody said to me, "You are of my flock". Anyways, below is something of relevance pertaining to a special people.

No. If you can't get worked up enough about it to prove me wrong,why should I give a shit if you wish to remain both ignorant and wrong?

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

As much as you wish to input humor into this story about African-Americans repatriating back to Africa, you may want to check this out too.

Proving once again you are a fool. There are historical records from Jamestown that prove the truth of what I have written,and I have even told you how to find them.

It is a historical FACT that the first slave in the English Speaking part of North America was enslaved at Jamestown. YOU figure it out from there.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

I don't work for you,dipshit. I did you a favor by telling you how to find that info for yourself. If you are too stupid to be able to figure it out from there,that's the fault of your DNA.

BTW,PLEASE feel free to keep parroting the nonsense you THINK is the truth. It identifies you as an ignorant fool to everyone who knows better.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

I never said what I think is the truth or not. I've just asked you to explicitly produce your evidence.

African-Americans are returning to the lands of their ancestors as life becomes precarious and dangerous in the USA.

On life as a second-class citizen in the US...

On her first trip to Africa...

On leaving New York for Accra...

On moving to Ghana...

On Ghanaian reactions...

On the 'Blaxit' documentary...

On the prospect of more African-Americans moving...