Every time the word racism is mentioned in the US, the picture that quickly comes to mind is that of an African-American man or woman being mistreated, discriminated against or profiled purely on the basis of their colour. And this is common, given the long, reprehensible history of slavery and subsequent discrimination and segregation targeting the African-Americans whose only ‘crime’ is having the ‘wrong’ skin colour. But even in the midst of the hue and cry occasioned by the racially charged cases in wars that mainly pit white supremacists against African-American civil rights crusaders, little is said about African immigrants who have also been on the receiving end of racial attack. It is in this category that the Kenyans who have migrated to the US belong. A common refrain describes them as Kenyans who came to the US in search of greener pastures. But even as they seek those pastures, unbeknown to many, this category of immigrants endures more racial profiling than the bona fide African-Americans themselves. A casual observer may not notice it but although prejudice is not as pronounced as it was three decades ago, recent immigrants from Africa, Kenyans included, have borne the brunt of its effects. Besides facing similar challenges faced by the ‘original’ African-Americans, many African immigrants are also frowned upon by the African-Americans themselves who view them as people who come to take up jobs hitherto meant for them. Some of the most vocal African-American activists have even argued that the influx of these immigrants has made it more difficult for them to bargain for better working conditions and terms for their people, especially those employed by white Americans. “They come here and take the jobs and wages which our people have rejected as a bargaining tactic. We don’t like it,” said a Los Angeles based human rights activist in an interview with a local television station recently. “Racism against Kenyan immigrants is alive and well, only that we don’t shout about it because we need them more than they need us,” said Betty Arina, a Nursing Assistant who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ms Arina says that all things remaining the same, Kenyan immigrants would be number five in the “preferential grand scale of the Americans.” She says if a job does not require specialised skills, Americans would generally prefer immigrants from Asia before considering an African immigrant.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 03:18:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015