The promise of better opportunities in a new country can be bright, but for many Black families, it comes shadowed by the challenge of racism.
Relocating to a foreign country can be challenging — especially for Black parents who must also discuss race with their children. Many African countries have racial histories, but our education rarely addresses race and racism. This leaves many Africans unprepared for what to expect when they move to countries where Black people are a minority. We often approach this conversation with our heads held high and our spirits impenetrable. Many Africans have endured life in regions marked by deep instability, and it’s tempting to believe that surviving those challenges is preparation enough to confront racism. However, it’s not always the case.
I remember starting 11th grade shortly after moving to Toronto, Canada. Before then, I had mainly attended Nigerian boarding schools in Kwara and Rivers states. My sister and I were what the other students called “FOB”, meaning fresh off the boat. It was a term mainly used for African or Caribbean students who had emigrated from their home countries. It directly stemmed from slavery, but was still being used in the 2010s by young teenagers. My father always told me: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” For many Nigerian parents, this was how they approached racism — as something that they could brush off with just words. They mostly believed racist statements were mere words that should not have any hold over us.
However, racism that shows up in verbal assault tends to grow into something else. The terminology is microaggressions. This includes daily snubs, slights, and actions that signal to a person that the people around them don’t like them. Studies show that microaggressions seriously affect a person’s mental and physical health. Aside from that, racism can have detrimental effects on a Black family, like the loss of a loved one from hatred and violence. Despite promoting multiculturalism, Canada still exposes Black people to racial trauma in a community that often denies them.
How exactly can we define racism?
It’s hard to tell what racism is when people are generally imperfect. Most people can discern when someone does not like them, because to be liked is to be invited and welcomed into a community. However, when I was younger, racism felt like a reminder that the colour of my skin is Black and that it meant being seen negatively by others. Growing up in Nigeria, where the majority of the population is Black, it was still clear — shaped by our colonial history — that they still see certain skin tones as superior to others. Here, there seems to be an obsession with lighter skin tones. People spend a lot of money to become shades lighter, driven by the belief that life is easier for the lighter-skinned than for those with darker complexions.
Nigeria is also quite multicultural; many mixed-race families are a part of our society. Their children must navigate their social identity, sometimes being seen as more desirable because of their lighter skin or foreign features. However, not all mixed children end up with these features, and they still have to navigate through being darker and more West African-looking than most people expect. The presence of mixed-race families reflects Nigeria’s long history of global interaction through colonisation, trade, and migration. This highlights how deeply ideas about race, beauty, and worth still persist in the community. Even with a Black majority in the country, proximity to whiteness still unconsciously equates with value, complicating how we understand race and identity.
The widespread preference for lighter skin tones in Nigeria continues to reveal how colonial history and global beauty standards shape our worth. Colonial rule imposed European beauty ideals on many African societies; White skin became associated with power, privilege and superiority. Most global beauty standards reinforce these ideals through Western media and through capitalism. So, while many Africans may not view race like the West, colourism and racial hierarchy already exist. Racism is not just about unkindness; it is a system that ranks people based on race and assigns value accordingly. It often limits access, respect, or safety for those who are not white.
For someone coming to a foreign country for the first time, understanding racism can be confusing. It’s not always just obvious name-calling or outright exclusion. Sometimes, it shows up subtly, through avoidance, suspicion, or being treated as though you are less capable or less intelligent. Racism is the belief that one race is superior to another. This often becomes embedded in systems like education, policing, housing, or employment. In these spaces, they favour certain groups and marginalise others. It means that no matter how kind, educated, or hardworking you are, people may judge or limit you simply because of your skin colour. For immigrants, especially from African countries, encountering racism for the first time can be something they are unprepared to tackle.
Read also: The whispers of shade: Navigating the complexities of colourism and bleaching
My candid approach to navigating racism
My upbringing, which instilled in me a sense of self, strongly aided me in combating racist environments. From a young age, I understood that I was the only person who could truly define myself and my position in society. Often, many of us look outwards to be defined, to be accepted and to be in community. While being part of a community is important, you cannot allow it to define who you are or limit what you can become. It is essential to know and appreciate your heritage and traditions. You need to have a strong sense of who you are, as this is what you will use to combat racist perspectives of you and the place you come from.
My advice to anyone moving to a foreign country for the first time is to know the community. Follow local news from the city you plan to move to, and search for keywords like “racism,” “equality,” and “fairness.” Many Africans moving to Canada see the country branding itself as multicultural and diverse, but its racist roots remain. With some research, anyone can find reports on rising white nationalist groups and the troubling number of missing Black people. Many countries — from Germany and the UK to the USA — are also grappling with political and social turmoil rooted in their histories. This research will help you understand your new environment and navigate it with confidence.
Another important way to prepare is by thinking ahead about how to talk about race and racism with loved ones, especially children. These conversations often involve explaining why certain experiences or unfair treatment happen, and how to cope with them. Being prepared means educating yourself on the history and realities of racism in your new country. This helps you answer questions honestly and thoughtfully. It also means creating a space where your loved ones can express themselves and receive support, reinforcing their self-worth and identity.
Additionally, never underestimate the power of connections. Build a strong support network. Connect with friends, family, or community groups who share similar experiences and can offer emotional support. These spaces also provide practical advice for navigating everyday challenges. Communities provide a safe space to share stories, learn from others, and celebrate cultural identity. This helps to counter feelings of isolation and marginalisation. Engage with local organisations or cultural associations that can also provide resources and opportunities to stand effectively for racial justice.
Facing racism in a new country is tough, but knowledge, support, and open talks help you navigate it with resilience. Understanding race while preparing ourselves and loved ones, and building support also helps us protect our sense of identity and create spaces where we are valued and respected.
