Migration vs Escape

Migration vs Escape

I migrated from Nigeria to escape Insecurity, Discrimination and Fear…. Kayode Gomes

Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another with the intentions of settling permanently or temporarily, at a new location. Migration has become a key issue for countries all over the world whether they are countries of origin, transit or destination, or a combination thereof. International migrants comprise 3.5 percent of the global population with continuous increase on a daily basis. 

Contrary to popular opinion, Migration is an act of escape. Escape is an act of breaking free to seek freedom, safety, better life, brighter future and ‘greener pastures’.

The UN Migration Agency (IOM) defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of (1) the person’s legal status; (2) whether the movement is voluntary or involuntary; (3) what the causes for the movement are; or (4) what the length of the stay is.

What we call migration today was the enslavement of our ancestors in the past. The difference was migration before was involuntary and today is voluntary and some even consider it as achievement. In fact human trafficking today is a success story for the victim’s family as the victim is put to labor in a foreign land as profit for perpetrators and families back home. Likewise economic migrants that escaped for greener pastures.

The pity is the fact that our unsafe and underdeveloped places of origin will remain what it is and even worse while we are actually the instrument of development in the places or countries we have fled to. Migration is not a privilege and it isn't necessarily worth it at the end of the day. And do not forget that you can not overrule racism as black Africans and your potentials will always be limited out here. And be careful not to be mentally enslaved. 

Looking at the history of slavery and how developed countries have managed to use slave trade in developing their countries; it is rather a pity that the generations of those enslaved have today become migrants escaping from what is left of their place of origin to what their ancestors were enslaved for.

I personally don’t consider migration as a success story but a sad one which might end up a regret if escapees do not retrace their steps. Slavery was pain, migration is today’s pleasure which is gradually becoming a pity. 

There is no place like home and no one will fix it for us …..