RM interviews Amanda from The Black Expat
RM: Can you share why you started The Black Expat? What prompted you to action?
TBE: There were a myriad of factors that led to the launching of The Black Expat. Initially, I had been researching about the experiences of black Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and found there was little available. TCKs are individuals like me who grew up in more than one country or have been impacted by international mobility. I didn’t see any real, tangible stories (in the mainstream) that talked about what its like to be black and living between countries/cultures. I thought that was odd considering how many black and mixed families I knew.
In addition, I mentor a number of young black adults. Many of them are considering studying abroad or an international career but they do not know where to start or what to expect. Most of them have not necessarily been exposed to people who are living the expatriation life and so for them, there’s a lot of mystique around it. I wanted to remove the mystique and say this is accessible to you, too.
RM: Tell us your story. Where are you from? Why are you where you currently are and where are you headed next?
TBE: The very short version is…I am the daughter of anglophone Cameroonians who moved to the U.S. My brother and I were both born in DC while my sister was born in Cameroon. At around age 10, my family decided to return to Cameroon, but to the majority French speaking country. In that time, while my mother worked for the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, I was home schooled, attended a local boarding school, then an American styled international school, then ultimately graduated from an international, missionary high school that taught both the American and British curriculum. I returned back to the U.S. for college at 17 by myself and proceeded to have some of the worst culture shock in my life. People say that moving away from your passport country can be an intense shock. However, moving back, sometimes might be even more stressful. I spent much of the college years and the years immediately after working out what does black identity look like for me when you identify as Black, African, Cameroonian and American.
I eventually landed in Richmond, VA because I had family here. I took a job helping first generation, low income high school kids get into college and that has kept me (as far as home base) for a while. However, I never stopped traveling. That’s just been in my blood since I was 2.
A move is looming. I decided to go back to school and am finishing up a Masters in Counselor Education. If all things go well, I’ll be doing a practical/required internship abroad. Hopefully, Qatar, but we’ll see. If not Qatar, I’ll definitely be abroad sometime in the next few years, though.
RM: What are your thoughts on usage of the term expat?
TBE: I wanted to reclaim the word expatriate. Many black folks do not realize that the word includes them, too. They think it’s for the glamorous and those who do jobs far more important than theirs. You’d be really surprised, especially those coming from an African or Caribbean background. I wanted members of the Black/African Diaspora to know that they are part of this migration story, too.
RM: What advice would you give to a person of color relocating to the other side of the world?
TBE: Research, research, research. If possible connect with expat groups that are based in the region you are based in. There is so much general information that is available online. But also really filter what you hear. Evaluate who is writing it. In some cases, travel site or not, I’ve seen someone take an incredibly negative stance about a place and I realize they have a different perspective than I do, some of which has to do with race.
If possible, find information from groups that can speak from a black or diverse cultural lens.
There are some amazing active groups emerging that are focused on the black experience. I’ve seen Facebook groups for black people living in different parts of Asia. There are blog groups that are network for folks from the Caribbean. There’s a wonderful community called Ezibota that supports young Africans in the Diaspora. I mean, formal or informal, there are people out here trying to be supportive to the newbie.
RM: What are you hoping to see happen from this community you are growing online? TBE: I hope that people are inspired. There are so many amazing stories of global mobility that people are sharing that it really is a privilege that they allow us to share them. I always say I’m lucky because I get to meet and hang out with some cool black people doing some amazing, and in some cases, downright fearless things! I want that college kid or professional somewhere to learn more about the possibilities that are beyond their borders.
I also hope that others seek out their tribe. We recently did a piece by Kari Mugo on the Meaning of Passport Privilege.
I probably got more texts, emails and comments offline about that piece than anything else. She basically underscored what limited access to mobility looks like based on the type of passport you possess. Particularly, black folks who had immigrated to the States had a real strong reaction and kept telling me, “That’s my story! That’s my story! I never could explain to anyone and thought I was alone…but there it is online.”
So yes, I hope people find their tribe and know they are not alone in their experiences. That other people have been through the same struggles wherever they are moving to and they have survived and overcome.
And beyond all that, I want us to be the place that is a hub for information and resources. We have periodic web events and other information to get folks connected to pursuing an international life.
RM: How can people get involved?
TBE: Right now, everyone can join our newsletter, The Black Expat Briefs. They can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Facebook.
If you are interested in contributing content (written article or a visual piece), they can visit here.
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