Why They Hate Me…

Up until now, I had no known enemies.
I make it a point to live well with everyone. Always have. Even in High School, I was always the kid to ward off bullies, console the bullied, and circle back to befriend said bullies. Go to Ecole Belge de Kigali and ask.

Lately, racists in America seem to have unleashed the beast out of me. My philosophy has always been, I’m too sexy to debate with racism and that remains my stance. Still, I am not a quiet immigrant. I take space. I impose myself. I beg for nothing and I fear nothing. That, ladies and gentleman, is apparently controversial for an African woman.

I posted a video on my youtube, it stated “Threat of deportation? Just so you know when we leave we are leaving with our music, our foods and our spices. In fact, we should have known something was off in this country. A society that tucks its elders away, far away in nursing home, never to be seen because not pretty enough to look at… They ask why are you in America if you complain so much about America? Greatest nation economically speaking. You think I’m gonna pass up on the money?”

Keep in mind, my youtube channel is small. It’s mostly for friends and family. On average I have 150 views per video. In a mere 23 min, I had 300 views and a comment from a stranger that read “we’ll take that, just leave.” I deleted the video because I am not in the viral scandal business. This, however, brought up a greater point. I seemingly take too much space.

Some well meaning friends advised me, Olivia, you are too provocative. But let us dissect this together – am I? I have lived in Africa, in Europe and in America. I am a “citoyen du monde.” Freedom of movement is an inherent Human Right. Why then – is the African immigrant expected to beg and beg and beg? Ever seen a white person in Africa? They complain about everything from food to roads to AC (or lack thereof). They even complain about the positioning of the sun Yes, the SUN!… And the response is always a soft, “So Sorry Oga (Chief)”. But I, because I am an African woman in America, am to be grateful they are spitting in my face?

We wanted to believe in the American dream. We left our homes for it. But make no mistake, nothing we acquired in this country was ever charity. The taxes we pay here can pay off the entire African debt. In sum, so long as the host nation renders no dignity to its adopted citizens, it should expect no dignity. The end.