Chapter 7: The Silent Minority: Invisible Bridges Among African Immigrants in America

For many Blacks immigrating to the United States, being Black in America is challenging. It begins with isolation and loneliness, which is made worse by discrimination. Blacks immigrating to the United States are mainly from middle and upper-class status (Arthur, 2000). They have hardly experienced racial discrimination, especially the “unmistakable racial hierarchy . . . in which Blacks occupy multiple locations of disadvantage” (Bennett & Lutz, 2009, p. 72). They simply believe that coming to America will lead to better economic well-being and opportunities (Arthur, 2000; Ogbu, 1994). That is their story. To the contrary, once in America, their reality is persistent discrimination because of physical differences (Portes, Fernandez-Kelly, & Haller, 2005). And so they struggle in silence to find equilibrium between their loss (dignity) and their aspirations for a better life. Like other immigrants, Blacks come to America to escape circumstances perpetuated by persistent patronage that makes it difficult for ordinary people to get ahead (Chabal & Daloz, 1999); discrepancies between educational attainment and earnings, with the most educated earning less than they are worth (Portes & Rumbaut, 1990); political instability and nepotism; lack of opportunities for upward mobility (Arthur, 2000; Mazrui, 1994); and retrogressive cultures against women and children. On average, immigrating Blacks are the elites in their countries. It is therefore not surprising that unlike common beliefs, African immigrants as a group have the highest level of education in America (Arthur, 2000; Bennett & Lutz, 2009).