Comments on: Final Part of Njeri’s Message to the Next Group of Afropolitans

By: Mo

Mo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:04:32 +0000

Well said, I especially like the point about having a network of TRUSTWORTHY friends to rely on. If you’re there for them, they will also be there for you and can prove priceless in your time of need.

By: mwalimu

mwalimu — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:11:55 +0000

You say
’seen’ buying cheap stuff, first of all nobody is watching you and even if they are they probably will never see you again

I might also add that: Since you are African, they (the non-Africans) are not surprised. In fact, just because you buy expensive and live expensively does not remove your “africanness” from their eyes.

You say “who has drugs, more often then not they will claim those drugs were yours and just like the DWI thing i mentioned..”

I add: they do not have to claim. By association, you are already guilty. Whether in the car, at the apartment, wherever. There is 0 tolerance for drugs. Why do you think so many AA are in jail because of drugs? Mostly by association.

By: Mzeiya

Mzeiya — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:20:38 +0000

apologies for Kenyanizing my post up there. I should be talking about Africans..

By: Mo

Mo — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:28:11 +0000

I normally refrain from saying this (because, really, it’s such a non-comment) but I’ll be back to re-read this when I have a clear head and comment further.

By: Mzeiya

Mzeiya — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:23:41 +0000

Well the issue of obtaining credit is a double edged sword. In fact I reckon if you can avoid it the better. There is a lot of idle money around and the banks and loan sharks are running around to extend credit to the public. Apparently no one wants to believe that they cannot be able to repay- and indeed some may be having good grounds to believe so. However it is when you are stuck with these huge payments to pay off your mortgage, car loans, furniture loans etc that you realise you are in big trouble. Any setback, say a rise in interest rates or you are retrenched would just land you into big time trouble.

So the new migrants should learn to live within their means even with the glamour around. For one, the public transport is very efficient and a car may not be a priority- unless of course your job requires extra flexibility.

I agree with you about the company that one makes here. Its good to associate yourself with people who have similar goals, and also avoid being lured into drugs and prostitution. Just try and maintain your dignity. Refrain from that mentality that its a free world and that you can talk and do stuff so long as you are not breaking the law. You only create undue attention to yourself and those around you. Dont bring in that “disadvantaged mentality” even when it is obvious that your race is an issue in some affairs. Block it from your mind( or better still deal with it) because it only creates resentment which ends up hurting you. Stay healthy because this is not the best place to be sick- because that can be quite treacherous given that you will mostly be around by yourself or just a few people.

Stay busy. Work, study is usually the routine for most people. If you are through with one qualification go for something else even if its a lighter one e.g. a language course. Join a club- not a drinking one- but a like a bowling club, fitness club, uni club etc. Meet other Africans in social events because sooner than later you will realise you cannot run from your identity even if you were born here. Steer away from trouble or petty feuds with other Kenyans- e.g tribal differences. People start profiling you and your reputation can easily be tarnished.

By: rags

rags — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:27:07 +0000

Very insightful information. Well done!