A fascinating 9 part series on the experiences of African migrants, mostly undocument workers, in various European countries. As an immigrant to Canada myself, I identify with some of these personal experiences.
In the late 50’s, early 60’s, my parents travelled to England to study and lay the foundation for “a better life”. They were not only looking to better their lot in life, but to also help family members back in Jamaica, as well as be in an environment where my sisters and I had the best opportunities to succeed in life. I remember the stories they told about their experiences in England at the time and when they came to Canada in the early 60’s. It wasn’t easy for them at all and they followed the legal, prescribed route to immigration to these countries.
It’s ironic that my sisters and their kids, who are born in Canada, are continually asked where they are from! In some ways, although they are not immgrants, they still suffer the immigrant experience!
afrospear.wordpress.com 
Hey Asa! Great links! Added them to my site (great way to learn and keep up with the African Diasora!). Still working on that re-post (been walkin’ with it since you posted it and am surprised how hard it is to finish — too many feelings; too many conversations in my head; a few massive realizations that kicked me in my chest even more…had to compartmentalize it all), but should be done soon.
Hey Deb, yep I received your comment above.
I’ve been waiting patiently for your post. I check your blog regularly. Great stuff there regardless! By the way… let me recommend medication for the “too many conversations” in your head… it works for me [;o)
Regards to your family as well!
Blessings Sis!
“By the way… let me recommend medication for the “too many conversations” in your head… it works for me [;o)”
Thanks Man, but — been there done that. Which is why I have a particular aversion to the “legal drug dealers” in our “civilized” world! 🙂
Appreciate that you keep checking, hope when it’s done — me, you and “the voices” can kick it around. It’d help me stay “clear.” 🙂
Blessings back atcha!
LOL and here I was thinking that I was the only one with too many conversations in my head. Very interesting post. Something most of us U.S. folk can’t imagine. Although one of my son’s went to Germany in 2001 in the Army (he was supposed to leave 9/11 but we all know that story that day) and he has never come back here to live. He got out of the Army in 2005 and told them to stick it where the sun don’t shine when they tried to reactivate him to go to Iraq. They took away his passport, U.S. Id and changed his discharge from honorable to general.
About a year and half later he was able to get Id and passport back, and since then he has lived the immigrant life in Germany. Has mastered the language, has a wife and son and doing great. I may have to get an interview with him on his experiences.
Asa, you’ve been on fiyah lately!!
Hey bruh! I would be very interested to read, as well as post here, the interview with your son on his experiences. Although I was born in England, I have never had any desire to return there to visit. I still have lots of family there too.
“Asa, you’ve been on fiyah lately!!”
Since I have been on parental leave with my daughter, inbetween feedings, changings, playgroups, doing laundry, cleaning, buying groceries, making dinner, as well as dropping and picking up my son from school and swimming lessons for both on the weekend… I have also been catching up on my reading list, as well as videos and documentaries. A man’s work is never done! lol!
Hey bruh, tha is a great blessing sir. Your leave there must be great!
Amenta…Your son’s livin’ my dream! Ever since Randall Robinson’s “Quitting America” — http://www.democracynow.org/2004/2/3/quitting_america_the_departure_of_a — it’s been on my mind. Like him, “I wanted to live in a society for some time, some portion of my life, where race did not have to be a battlement, that one could get beyond that and not feel it always in one’s craw.”
I thought I’d figured out a way, but here lately, I’ve come to the realization that, that particular path ain’t gon’ happen. “The voices,” though, have been guiding me in another direction that may well be feasible (6 mos. here, 6 mos. somewhere else) — and I’m listening, closely — because I’m old, and so damned tired of this shit!
Tell your son that your Sister, who thought you were a Sister, is so very proud of him! 🙂
Deb, I’m waiting on that post too! 🙂
Almost done!