Blaxit: Difference between revisions

 

In the early 1900s, many Black creatives emigrated to Europe, pursuing opportunities not available in the US.<ref name=":1" /> [[Ira Aldridge|Ira Aldredge]] pursued his acting career in Europe because of limited opportunities in the US.<ref name=":1" />

 

During [[World War I]], when for the first time many Black Americans experienced life in other countries, many decided to remain in France, according to Gaines "where they were treated with respect."<ref name=":1" /> Gaines said this created an African-American expatriate community in Paris and other large French cities.<ref name=":1" /> In this period Jazz music was introduced to France by [[James Reese Europe]], who had headed the [[Harlem Hellfighters]] military band.<ref name=":1" /> [[Josephine Baker]] found recognition in Paris and later became a French citizen.<ref name=":1" /> [[James Baldwin]] described his experience in Paris, contrasting them favorably to those in the US.<ref name=":1" /> [[Richard Wright (author)|Richard Wright]] also moved to Paris, and [[Langston Hughes]] for a time lived in London.<ref name=":0" /> [[Nina Simone]] lived in France and several African countries.<ref name=":0" /> [[Paul Robeson]] testified to the [[House Committee On Un-American Activities|House Committee on Un-American Activities]] that in Russia, "I felt for the first time like a full human being."<ref name=":0" />

 

In 2019 Ghanaian president [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] declared the year the "Year of Return" and made immigration easier for [[African diaspora]].<ref name=":1" /> In June 2020, Ghana Minister of Tourism [[Barbara Oteng Gyasi]] encouraged Black Americans to emigrate, saying "Africa is waiting for you".<ref name=":1" />

== Reasons ==

''[[USA Today]]'' said "Black Americans, like expatriates of all races and ethnicities, leave the USA temporarily or permanently for different reasons: in search of a better quality of life, for work opportunities, to marry or retire abroad, for tax reasons, for adventure."<ref name=":0" /> Kristen West Savali, writing for [[Essence (magazine)|''Essence'']] in January of 2020, compared Blaxit to the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]], saying, "it has become increasingly clear that there is no corner of the United States where it is safe to be Black."<ref name=":2" />