As an African immigrant, arriving in America has been an experience filled with fascination, discovery, and moments of culture shock. The United States, often called the land of opportunity, has a diverse cultural palette, progressive ideologies, and unique societal norms.
However, this transition has not been without its peculiarities, many of which have been quite unnerving. This piece isn’t an indictment of America but a candid reflection from my perspective – a new dweller trying to navigate this vast, complex landscape. Here, I will share twelve experiences that, to this day, continue to creep me out about America.
Police Brutality
One aspect of America that genuinely unsettles me as an African immigrant is the widespread issue of police brutality. While law enforcement institutions should ideally symbolize safety and security, the frequent reports of excessive use of force, especially against communities of color, paint a disturbing picture.
It’s unsettling that the people meant to keep us safe can sometimes become a source of fear. This inconsistency between the ideal and reality often feels like a betrayal of the social contract, making it a daunting challenge that makes me uneasy in my new home.
Racism
In America, as an African immigrant, one cannot escape the shocking pervasiveness of racism. It is an insidious force that manifests itself in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. From microaggressions like being followed around in a store or being asked to prove your identity multiple times to more overt acts such as racially-motivated violence and police brutality, the presence of racism is an unsettling, everyday reality.
The idea that one’s skin color can determine their treatment and opportunities in a supposedly ‘land of the free’ is profoundly disconcerting and undeniably one of the things that creep me out about America.
Immigration Services
One aspect of America that can be pretty unnerving as an African immigrant is the Immigration Services. The process is often laden with bureaucratic rigmaroles designed not to assist but to deter. Navigating the labyrinth of forms and legal codes can be an overwhelming experience, leaving one with a constant fear of making a mistake that could lead to deportation.
Add to this the long wait times for applications to be processed and the often impersonal treatment received from immigration officers; it’s no wonder that the Immigration Services is a source of immense anxiety for many African immigrants.
Discrimination at Places of Work
Workplace discrimination is one of the unsettling experiences I’ve had as an African immigrant in America. Despite the nation’s long-standing assertion of equality and diversity, the reality paints a starkly different picture. It’s not uncommon to experience unfair treatment based on nationality, accent, or simply the color of one’s skin.
This discrimination manifests in various ways, like underpayment, limited opportunities for career advancement, and an overall hostile working environment. The problem is prevalent in industries with little diversity, forcing immigrants to constantly prove their worth, not based on their skills or qualifications, but their ethnic backgrounds.
The Segregation Between Immigrant Africans and African Americans
One of the aspects of American life that unsettles me as an African immigrant is a stark segregation that often exists between Immigrant Africans and African Americans. Despite a shared heritage, the two communities frequently remain divided, a separation perpetuated by cultural misunderstandings, systemic racism, and a lack of shared spaces.
This division is disheartening and hampers the potential of unified actions against racial injustices. It’s a peculiar paradox to observe, considering our shared roots and everyday challenges. This segregation, often unspoken but deeply felt, is a disturbing facet of life in America that continues to creep me out.
Misinformation About Third World Countries
One of the unnerving aspects I’ve noticed as an African immigrant in America is the profound and widespread misinformation about third-world countries. Strikingly, the majority harbor an outdated, narrow view that these nations are all about poverty, diseases, and political unrest, with no developed cities or progress.
This skewed perception is nurtured by a lack of balanced representation in media and education, perpetuating stereotypes and offering a one-dimensional view of these countries’ diverse cultures, rich histories, and economic advancements. Unpacking and challenging these misconceptions is an ongoing process. Still, it’s a significant part of my experience in the United States.
School Shootings
As an African immigrant, one of the most disturbing things about America is the prevalence of school shootings. Back home, schools are considered sanctuaries, places of learning, safety, and peace. The idea that a student could walk into their school armed with intent to harm is utterly alien and deeply disturbing.
The frequency of such incidents in America and the intense media coverage they receive paints a very concerning picture. The fact that children need to undergo drills for such scenarios, something unimaginable in my native country, is a chilling testament to the startling reality of American life.
Religious Profiling
Religious profiling is an aspect that I have found quite unsettling since I moved to America. The tendency to categorize individuals or make assumptions about their behavior, aspirations, or beliefs based on their religious affiliation is something that I didn’t experience in Africa.
For instance, it is not uncommon for people to be labeled as potential threats simply because they are Muslim or conservative due to a Christian background. I believe this profiling undermines the essence of individuality and religious freedom, principles America prides itself on. Furthermore, it perpetuates stereotypes, fostering division rather than unity in this so-called melting pot of cultures.
Tokenization
Tokenization is yet another aspect that can feel unsettling to an African immigrant in America. It is the process where an individual’s identity is reduced to a single factor, often their race or ethnicity, and they are seen only as a representative of that group.
As an African immigrant, you may be treated as the poster child for all Africans, regardless of the diversity and individuality within the continent. Reducing one’s identity to a single token can be quite disconcerting, especially when it disregards the multifaceted nature of individual identities.
Working Twice as Hard To Get By
One thing that has always left me uneasy is the pervasive notion that, as an African immigrant in America, one must work twice as hard to achieve the same level of success as their American counterparts. It’s a concept often subtly communicated but ever-present, creating a latent undercurrent of pressure. This expectation is not only unrealistic but also quite disheartening.
The meritocratic ideal that the U.S. proudly upholds suggests that hard work should be proportional to rewards received, irrespective of one’s background. Yet, the lived experience of many African immigrants like myself exposes a dissonance between this ideal and reality. The need to work excessively, often in multiple jobs, to make ends meet or to gain a semblance of stability is a troubling facet of the American Dream that seems elusive for many in our community.
Discrimination in Education
One of the unsettling realities I have experienced as an African immigrant in America is discrimination in the education system. Despite the notion of America as a land of equal opportunities, it is hard to overlook the glaring disparities in educational resources across various racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
Schools in affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods receive significantly more funding and resources than those in primarily black or immigrant communities. This systemic inequality has created an imbalanced platform, making it harder for immigrant students and those of color to catch up. This, coupled with instances of cultural insensitivity and racial profiling in the classrooms, forms a chilling picture of the American education system from my perspective.
High Cost of Living
The cost of living in America is one element that I find particularly disconcerting. Unlike many parts of Africa, where the cost of day-to-day life can be relatively low, America presents a stark contrast. At times, essential commodities such as housing, healthcare, and groceries can require a significant part of your income.
The rent for a modest apartment in a metropolitan city can amount to thousands of dollars a month. This amount can sustain an entire household for several months in many African countries. The high cost of living and the constant need to work excessively to afford these necessities can be unsettling.
Prevalence of Drug Abuse
One aspect of American society that is particularly unsettling for me as an African immigrant is the prevalent issue of drug abuse. The country faces a significant drug crisis that seems to permeate every stratum of its society, which starkly contrasts my experiences in Africa.
From the opioid epidemic in rural communities to the widespread use of methamphetamines and cocaine in urban areas, drug use’s scale, and societal acceptance are deeply troubling. It’s a dark underbelly illuminated by nightly news reports and visible on the streets. The de facto normalization of this devastating issue is a chilling characteristic of American life that creeps me out.
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