10 Reasons Why We Launched A Campaign Called: "Dear Mr. President Biden, A Letter From Africa"

 10 Reasons Why We Launched A Campaign Called: “Dear Mr. President Biden, A Letter from Africa”

This is a letter written in a simple format but it has themes through which to draw attention to refugee plight in Africa. It is written in a narrative marinated in ethos, pathos and logos to make it appealing to an audience dealing with other pressing refugee related issues. It has direct and indirect ripple effects but we want to list only 10.

1.    Some of the refugees are in a first country of call and most of these have awaited resettlement in the US for more than 5 years. It is self-advocacy and a conversation starter. The world has so many competing interests.

2.    Refugees have a legacy they come with which they contribute to America and thus they create a profoundly catalytic society in which many find productive occupations.

3.    Refugees are empowered to advocate for themselves by appealing to a fundamental moral responsibility and motivating America to open its doors to refugees.

4.    Refugees have the trainable potential the US needs to build critical knowledge, skills and productivity to contribute to a far-reaching future.

5.    Refugees come to the US to heal and lift themselves up economically, spiritually, culturally and intellectually. In doing so they life the US with them.

6.    Refugees are the practical reality and outcome of George Washington’s remark about the US “….. a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.”

7.    When refugees are welcome the US adds to the cap of refugees admitted to this country. The US admits a lesser number of refugees compared to many other countries.

8.    Refugees flee for many reasons and no one reason can be dismissed but for LGBTIQQ, the need to protection from persecution because of their sexual orientation from parents, communities, vigilantes, religious leaders, politicians and militias weighs so heavy on their mind that it stifles initiative. They are the hidden ones among the displaced.

9.    Refugees have lost familiar ties to sustained productivity and their only hope is resettlement. However, for LGBTIQQ, demonization, ridicule, persecution, blackmail, targeted attacks, kidnappings, beatings, murder, torture, fear of seeking health care services and fear of law enforcers are so apparent. LGBTIQQ people often face abuse and harassment from members of their own families or communities. They have severely limited options and escape may not mean safety, especially if they are in countries that criminalize LGBTIQQ identities. As we write this, a gay man blackmailed 7 others who were staying where they all shared board, bed and breakfast.

10.Refugees in a first country of call may not be allowed to work. Without work permits it makes their life vulnerable to extortion, imprisonment, abuse at work places and the inability to work means no support income and hence homelessness.

Dear Mr. President Biden, A Letter From Africa

America is a dream.

America is an aspiration.

Mr. President, please consider increasing on the cap of asylum seekers coming to America.

Please allow refugees to be welcome in the US through the refugee admissions program.

It will be an opportunity to save many of us (some of us are gay).

We seek to contribute to a wider dignified humanity. We believe America is that example we can tell ourselves in those quiet reflective moments. We know a refugee flees from one place to another in the hope of preserving life. But that is the beginning. An empowered refugee contributes to a local host community too.

Refugees come in many types. Some are parents, victims of war, gay, children, elderly and victims of persecution. We have impeccable reasons for fleeing.

When the US increases on its cap many refugees will be resettled. The record low caps by the US in the past few years alone has shown the need for US in the affairs of resettlement.

Some of us have waited in a first country of call for 5-10 years. Most were processed to come to the US. We are still hopeful. Please allow us to come over to that side.

We are writing from Africa and we are hopeful.

Thanks.

Humbly and Respectfully,

Refugees Awaiting Resettlement

A Reflection On The Meaning Of Homophobia: The Nature Network Group Resource Center Reorganizes Following 5 Years In Existence

They overcame homophobic and transphobic abuses in order to create safe spaces.

Imagine a time way back around the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015.

Very young Transpersons were looking for where to find a stable peaceful moment after fleeing persecution. They were running away from hate, abuse and ridicule. They were running to a place where they had no relative or a person they could tell their pain.

But.......

These very young Transpersons had one thing going for them.

It was their personality!

They were in pain but shared a blanket, a piece of food and joined hands to form the Nature Network Group (TNNG).

Many years after, a Resource Center was borne out of their hard work as you will see in some pictures.

Really hard work.

Let us celebrate all Transpersons because it is they who have given their best to make possible a dignified life for many others.

We want to share this applause as well as a call to many others to celebrate love and replace/denounce homophobia, transphobia or bi-phobia.

We also want to share with you how we detest homophobia from some LGBTIQQ. This is the worst kind. 

The Judas LGBTIQQ are a worst kind.

They are among us and use their positions to manipulate, abuse, gossip, not follow instructions, pretend they are special; spend lots of money on booze yet they could use that money to pay rent; they use money supposed to help a wider community for personal ends yet, they could have supported many others; they use money to bribe the Law Enforcement/ Police to round up other LGBTIQQ whom they get into custody and lead to costly court cases. This kind of homophobia is lowest of the lowest demise.

In the pictures below one will notice there is a mixture of themes.

In some pictures you will note that there is a peaceful activity going on, with chicken in the back and fore ground.

In others you will notice, our resource center has broken windows and doors. No, it was not a burglary but rather an act instigated by a guest we had provided board, bed and breakfast while awaiting pre-qualification as a refugee. You see that window period immediately after one has claimed refugee status and registered with the relevant authorities is so crucial. One has to have a place to stay. Most applicants come to Kenya with a single dress, coat and nothing else. So, when we have space we provide the much needed companionship and support. But, to our amazement this one person we provided reception to has been the bane of our existence.

If you think homophobia is external, the most deadly kind of homophobia is within the LGBTIQQ Community. I showed you earlier how this happens. If one or two among the LGBTIQQ Community chooses to use their power or position destructively then it leads to fault lines. It is these fault lines that make homophobia very devastating.

Imagine, you provide a room, bed and a meal in your home to a person. This person becomes a guest. But, the guest should not over step boundaries. When this happens it becomes abusive. When abuse goes on then disruptive occurrences happen. Right now our resource center was destroyed, locks were broken, equipment was stolen and people had access to our place when none of us was around. These people defeacated in the different rooms and cabinets.

We talk of homophobia and think it is external, but the worst kind is that from within. Some leaders make it worse too. There are those given money to pay for rent, they instead divert the money for private ends. One organization was given funds to purchase food for LGBTIQQ Refugees but they ended up giving food to indigenous "friends with other attachments to consider." We know of a leader who was given funds to pay for six months rent and this leader ended up giving the money to a "new catch!" 

These kinds of practices are as homophobic as a straight person shaming a queer because of their orientation.

This is both a reflection and call for change in how we conduct leadership from now on.