New Column: Thoughts of a Chicago African
Even after searching for ideas from the good-ol’ google and library collections, I remained unsure of how the first entry to a new column should sound like. I was still wanting of some direction. But oh well! I had no intentions of letting this writing opportunity slip by regardless of my accomplishments, or lack thereof. After all, it only matters if you have something relevant to say, right? Like many opportunities in life, I had recently talked my way into this project – contributing as a columnist for team DUNIA Magazine – and they welcomed me warmly regardless of what may be perceived as my shortcomings in the field. My theory is that they probably sensed the passion I had for engaging people in a meaningful way, irrespective of their background or identity.
Some of you may have followed this publication from its early years from conception to inception and birth in 2010. For others, my introduction here will be your introduction as well. For the latter, a brief description of the magazine seems fitting and should also set the tone for this new venture, not only for me, but for DUNIA Magazine as well that is taking the risk on me. “Dunia”, which refers to “World” or “Global Community” has historically traveled through many languages but here, it draws upon Swahili – which descriptively interprets as “The temporal world – its earthly concerns and possessions”. The African undertone that might be perceived from this magazine speaks to the publisher’s origin. DUNIA Magazine, however, is completely dedicated to improving understanding and promoting progressive dialogue between cultures – all cultures. The positivity of Africa, as a component of this subject matter, must continue to (re)emerge. Africa’s bright light is often dimmed by negative resource-backed promotion and propaganda that seem agenda-driven.
So here! I warmly welcome you all to this column – Thoughts of a Chicago African – and hope that to some degree we will find commonality with some of the things I write about and in turn increase familiarity with one another. I am an African – born in Delta State, Nigeria, raised in London, England, and matured in Chicago, United States. “Chitown”, Chicago’s endearing nickname, has been my home town since I landed at O’Hare Airport back in the summer months of 1999 to warm, bright, sunny days and big structures when compared to the smaller constructions & tightly packaged buildings of European cities. I also cannot deny the many, many days that the clouds adorned a frown. For the record though, London does have its sunny days, contrary to the views of some people in America.
I am a regular guy with three kids (8, 4 and 3 years old) whom I adore dearly. Their unique backgrounds are testament to my life story. Professionally, I have a modest background in Sales and Marketing with some private consultation experience. I have recently returned to academia, after many years away, to pursue an International Business degree at DePaul University in Chicago (Their SNL Program, a more recent addition, works wonders for adult students). It is also an institution that provides a rich networking platform.
My interests run the gamut – Sports (I am passionately active in soccer); Academia; Culture; Entrepreneurship; Entertainment; Arts; International Relations; Youth Development; Self-Development; Family; Mental Health; Humor (cause I like making people laugh even though I am no Bernie Mac); I am into learning about Socioeconomics and enjoy the occasional banter – pretty much all the things you are into. Right? Most importantly though, I am all about promoting the value and admiring features of Africa with an alertness attuned to counter misconceptions and stereotypes about the continent in situations I deem worthwhile. I acknowledge Africa’s faults and open to discuss them, but to hold on steadfastly to the negativity without any useful purpose is useless. I remain ever positive of Africa’s future.
I rest my faith in the young generation of today, and count on us to have a major impact in changing an erstwhile dire narrative of the continent. It cannot only be the young generation in Africa. It cannot only be the young generation of Africans in the diasporas. It has to include those of us in Africa as well as those of us in the diasporas.
How I got here though, runs back several decades to my infancy. I was about 5 years old and I remember developing strong interest in the way people related with each other. I took particular interest in observing the array of emotions drawn out of people and the constantly changing facial expressions, demeanor and attitudes. Through extensive travel I have had the opportunity to mingle genuinely with people from different walks of life, social status and educational backgrounds. It has allowed me countless hours of observing and understanding people in this manner.
Now, reflecting on my own experiences from living in different continents and being part of the collective experience of different Africans worldwide, I wonder deeply about our outlook as Africans, on life and how they understand hereditary stereotypes and prejudice from different ethnic or tribal groups. Finding myself unable at times to separate my African identity from the collective “black” experience that comes with living in America, I have always longed to join in-depth discussions about the misconceptions and assumptions that exists between Africans and African Americans. I am often amazed at how easily we allow non-threatening differences to be the crux that fuel our problems, resulting in our disunity and suffering, even when the foresight spells doom. Making it all the more conflicting is that most will admit to prefer peace, harmony and cooperation with each other (pretending for a second that history could be reversed). We will probably prefer a world where living standards, mutual respect, and fairness are all comparable components experienced by societies in different parts of the world.
But our actions – exploitation, racism, tribalism, sexism, poverty, disease and Global Warming – tell of a more troubling world that we will be bequeathing OUR children – the generations to follow. Some in academia foresee a future in America where college will be reserved for the rich and privileged families only – becoming too expensive for average families to afford. More desperate conditions breed more violence which affects both privileged and non-privileged people, in the same way with which it affects countries. And once we understand these correlations intelligently, the picture it paints is horrifying. The picture compels the conscious at heart and mind to start looking beyond yourself, your family, your tribe, your nationality or your race.
So, dear reader: I would have loved to channel this entry to appeal to the lighter sides of things or to leave us in a more jovial mood. I failed miserably there. But rest assured that there will be plenty of that to come. I allowed the opportunity for fresh thoughts to guide me as I wrote this without any pre-decisions on its mood or direction. I felt it especially important for this introduction. It does, however, characterize the identity of this column and to a broader extent, the identity of DUNIA Magazine.
To borrow a line from DUNIA Magazine’s About Us page – “There is no doubt that we now live in times when technological strides have enabled snap-of-the-finger communications, yet many more users of these instantaneous tools know even less about the neighbor next door.”
We can do better. We can start here.
Feel free to drop a thought or share an interest. Or simply say, welcome!
Jude Ehikwe is on Twitter: @jehiks08