XN Iraki: Memories of Life In USA And The Seed I Planted

By XN IrakiBy the summer of 2005, my work in Mississippi, in the Deep South was over. Dissertation written and successfully defended, it was time to leave; it was time for a change. The South was a difficult place to live with questions like “Are you going back home” repeated every day.  I felt a stranger where I should have felt most at home .After all, Mississippi is the “blackest” of all the USA states.My first job offer was at Meridian College, 150km from Jackson in Mississippi to the East along highway I-20, the road to Atlanta. I had all qualification but could not convince the administration that I had the right papers to work in USA. Remember this was after September 11, which made life of students and employment harder.It is good to have marketable skills.   I soon got another job offer for an economics /quantitatives assistant professor at Kentucky State University. The university is in Frankfort, Kentucky, which is the state capital.  This brought my days in Mississippi to an end.In the next two weeks, I prepared to Leave Mississippi. I packed all that I could into a Honda Civic which had been sold to me for 200 USD after the Dodge Plymouth had “died.” I headed north to Kentucky. It was a 10 hour journey taking me through Memphis and Nashville (home of Music Country) into Kentucky, famous for racing horses.A Nigerian working at my new university hosted me before I got a one bed roomed apartment for 700USD per month. I was ready to start off classes in August 2005. With my four courses, I was busy throughout the week. My classes were different from what I found in Mississippi, they were about 50 per cent African American, the rest white Americans. They were mostly undergraduates. Some classes were during the day but some at night. Without prejudice, I found the two communities very different.I travelled back to Mississippi in September to graduate, visiting New Orleans in the aftermath of the devastation of hurricane Katrina. I also carried the few personal belongings I had left behind.Kentucky was a different place. There was greater diversity, less abandoned buildings and more dynamism.  There were less of ghettos and segregated residences.  Frankfort was a small town by the Kentucky River. It gave one a feeling of homeliness. There was less resentment to my presence.For one I was in the American system, with a salary, paid every fortnight. The employment system in US universities is not on permanent and pensionable basis. I was on a yearly contract. After a few years and after proving yourself, you get tenure, which is close to being on permanent and pensionable basis.  Was my American dream nigh?I quickly made new friends; there were few Kenyans except one Kenyan Indian who had been there for 37 years. Nigerians as usual were everywhere. I learnt to respect these West Africans. In hospitals they are medical doctors, the rest of Africans love being nurses and nursing aides.  In Universities they are professors and administrators. I think unlike Kenyans, Nigerians go to USA on a one way ticket.Also Read: It Has Been 10 Years Since I Returned To Kenya From America. Any Regrets?Kentucky did not have as many places to visit as Mississippi, which had a coastline. There are Appalachian Mountains to the East neighbouring West Virginia and Virginia, famous for coal mining. To the West were Missouri and Illinois; Tennessee to the South and Ohio and Indiana to the North.There were attractions from parks, the river, Louisville, Kentucky derby, and lot of golf courses and friendly people. For the first time in 4 years I felt at home in America. I saw the American dream within reach. I had time to watch news on cable TV, hire cars to drive around, watch American football, and dine in restaurants. I had time to reminisce on my younger days, growing up in the countryside , walking to school  and coming to school in Nairobi in Form 1.By the end of first year working in USA I had a good understanding of what America is all about, not the USA in movies or textbooks. I paid the taxes and tasted the cost of living. The money you think is a lot is not that much and you spend it pretty quickly because it is given to you regularly; every two weeks.But I noted another blot-monotony. Life in USA lacked the spontaneity of Kenya; bumping on to old friends, sharing a beer with strangers and breaking a few rules like over speeding, making noise in matatus or starting a day without planning for it.  USA is about rules.  I found that all I did was go to class, go shopping and go home to sleep.  Occasionally I would go to play golf in a small course near the school. But my routine was very predictable. Is that what I wanted to do for the next several years?I made money and consumed it. If I had to invest, it was in Kenya. I was losing control of my money. USA was about consumption; rarely did we talk about investment. No one informed me of a plot on sale somewhere. Having other sources of income was not very American.  I started feeling that if I aged in USA, it will be boring and end up in a nursing home, away from my loved ones.By the end of the first year working, it was clear in mind that despite all the bad things we say about Kenya, it is still a beautiful place. Foreigners see something good in Kenya, we don’t get absorbed by politics. And believe me; you can make lots of money in Kenya without being corrupt. I had a chance to compare and contrast with USA. I realized from my stay in USA that I will remain on the peripheral of the American society. That was not part of my dream. In Kenya I will be ndaani…kabisa.I decided that after my contract ended in May of 2007, I would not renew it. I made a reconnaissance trip back to Kenya in December of 2006. My university had threatened to sack me because I had overstayed. Many believed that like other Kenyans before me, I would disappear.On one occasion I met a number of Kenyan government officials including ministers in a conference in Kennesaw, Georgia. I noted they are usually very friendly and approachable while abroad. Tell me what happens when they return home…Also Read: Levin Opiyo Odhiambo; The Marketer Turned Journalist In London Who is Helping Kenyans Re-learn Their HistoryIn the summer of 2007, I prepared to leave. I had a few summer classes. I did not sign my next year’s contract by May 31, 2007.  I still have it.  I informed the university I was leaving. Many were surprised. On June 1, 2007, I took my flight back to Kenya. My 6 years sojourn was over. But before I left, I immortalized myself; I left genetic imprints and hoped that like Obama senior, I had done the right thing. Now aged 11, she represents my lasting connection to the land of opportunity and the home of the brave.Side bar: What holds USA together? The 6 years sojourn in USA satisfied my childhood dream and allowed me to experience the American dream. It also helped me answer a simple question; what holds this country of 300 million people together?It is diversity more than anything else that holds USA together. This country draws immigrants and makes them part of the nation - almost a miracle. May be after more than 200 years they have perfected the art.They start with one language which makes it easy to communicate to each other and across the globe. Due to the countries large size, there is something for everyone. After 400 years of settlement, USA is still very empty compared with other countries. Diversity drives innovation and creativity, spawning new enterprises and pride.American dream, that you can be what you want, also holds USA together.  Not all become what they want, but they keep dreaming and even passing the dream to their children. Children of illegal immigrants go to school and get better jobs than their parents.  In USA, kids in public schools pay no fees up to high school. In university it’s easy to get loan and go through school. Foreigners and out-of-state students pay twice or more in tuition compared with locals.Also Read:  Why Africans Are Migrating AbroadSports are the other avenue that bids that nation together. From Basketball to American football, the American mind is kept busy by games from county to national level. By the way, USA is divided into states which are divided into counties which are further divided into districts.States are responsible for higher education and other services. The size of the country made federalism and devolution necessary. It allows diversity to thrive. We wanted devolution, not so much to encourage diversity, but exclusion; look at county work forces. Not unexpected, USA poorest states tend be least diverse and unwelcoming to immigrants.Legacy of success ties the country together. From pilgrims in 1600s to war of independence and landing on the moon, USA takes pride in her national triumphs. We prefer to down play national successes focussing on the negatives. This gnaws on national pride and in extreme cases cause conflicts. Did I hear someone say Mau Mau was a civil war, not a war that Britons lost?Closely tied with American dream is protestant work ethic. To Americans, work is godly with roots in Puritans. And they believe that work can be rewarding. In Kenya, we prefer to cut corners. Corruption is about not working and making money from other peoples’ sweat. We call that working smart if you are not caught.From national cemeteries to having a department in charge of veterans, USA gives lots of respect for those who go beyond the call of duty. Veterans get reference in job placement. In Kenya?Cradle to grave care espoused by availability of social security in old age, ensures there is no need to steal or be corrupt to secure your old age. That includes taking care of the disabled, unemployed and other vulnerable members of the society. These are bold attempts in reducing inequality.Are you interested in  50 by 100 plots located in Joska Mutalia area, which is about 1 kilometer off Kangundo road; 28 kilometers from Nairobi and 8 Kilometers from Ruai? Ready Title Deeds. Area has water and electricity. contact info@awmagazine.org for more details.Global reach and admiration makes one proud once you become an American either by naturalization or by birth.  Check the number of Kenyans wearing something American. We see pubs called Dallas, Texas, California etc.The laws on citizenship and marriage make it easy to become American. You become an automatic American citizen once born in USA irrespective of nationality of your parents. Marrying an American makes it easy to become a citizen or stay in USA legally. Add the lottery and the H-IB visa makes it easy for high valued workers to work in USA. Other visa types make it easy for highly talented individuals to visit or work in USA.  Dual citizenship is also common.We can’t forget the America global culture based on music, media and movies. Some say, the threat of force both at home and abroad keeps American together. Is USA not a nuclear power and the carrying of weapons enshrined in the constitution? You could compare USA with other large countries like former Soviet Union, India and China?  Do the same forces hold these nations together?Get a copy of African Warrior Magazine-June-July Issue. Order Here