As a black parent, would you consider raising your child in Africa or the U.S.?

Francis Akhalbey October 09, 2018
Photo Credit: nepsych.com

Issues pertaining to racial discrimination against people of color (especially blacks) in the United States is a very delicate and volatile one. Almost day in day out in the news, we hear of several such cases with some aggravating to fatal consequences for the not-so-lucky victims.

In light of this, some black parents, in a bid to protect their kids and also guide them as to how to behave when they find themselves in situations like this have the “talk” with them. In as much as having to tell your young kid he/she may be profiled or discriminated against because of his/her skin color may be uncomfortable, it is just about the right to do because that’s the reality of the situation.

There are even instances where black immigrant parents from Africa, who as a result of past experiences find themselves in a dilemma of choosing where to raise their kids.

In a tweet shared by Brandon Stanton, the author of Humans of New York, a Ghanaian professor who got his PhD in West Virginia candidly spoke about how he and his wife contemplated on where to raise their son.

Read his sentiments and the final decision they took below:

“We had a big discussion whether to raise him in Africa or move to the states.  We both grew up in Ghana.  But I got my PhD in West Virginia, so moving to America was an option.  The job opportunities would certainly be better there.  Both of us are professors, and you’d probably laugh if you knew what we got paid here. Healthcare would be better too. You don’t hear of people dying in America because they can’t find an open hospital bed. But despite these things, we decided to raise our son here. Because he’d never have to think about the color of his skin. We never have to explain what it means to be black. Or the rules of being black. One day in West Virginia I got an Amber Alert on my phone. All it said was: ‘tall black male.’ I was the only one in sight so I nearly panicked. Then another day I was walking to my dormitory. I’d just finished teaching a course. Someone drove by in a red truck, threw a hamburger at my head, and called me the ‘N Word.’ It was 3 O’clock in the afternoon. I don’t want to explain that stuff to my child. It’s exhausting to be conscious of your skin all the time. You either become militant or you become defeated. And I understand why it happens, but extremes of anything aren’t good.”

Here are some reactions to the post below:

Share with us your thoughts. Have ever been in this situation before? What decision did you make with your partner? If you ever find yourself in this dilemma, what would you do?

Poll As a black parent, where would you consider raising your child?

Last Edited by:Ismail Akwei Updated: October 9, 2018

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