Blaxit

[Amisilli]

I have not so recently become a bit obsessed with the idea of Blaxit. I have become very disillusioned raising my children in the UK. Unfortunately I don't have a second passport so cannot move anywhere easily but have started to research countries to move to. I am drawn to either the Caribbean or Africa, just need to narrow down my choices.

Anyone else considering a Blaxit of their own?

I used to think like this, but my attitude changed over the years. I'd take a sabbatical from work , do a 3 month stint in the destination country. The romantic view often doesn't fit the reality. You'll be an immigrant in a new country, even if most people look more like you, its still a big culture shock.

It was going to South Africa in my 20's and meeting white Africans that has changed my mind. They felt they were truly African and I had a lightbulb moment, why do these whites have no problem calling themselves proud Africans and I struggle to call myself British?

All over the globe white people of European origin ( through white supremacy ) have no problem calling themselves, American, Australian or African , yet Black people who originate from example Nigeria or Jamaica have had relationships which Britain for 100's of years, but struggle to call themselves British.

Nigeria history since 1861 was in large part British soil, Jamaica even longer, since the 1600's.

Most black people in this country have shed blood , sweat and tears to call themselves British, why give that up?

The Windrush scandal shows the contempt most in this country have to calling black people 'truly' British, but fuck them!

Yes, its shit here, yes the weather is shit and we currently have a goverment that is the same as the National Front or the BNP , but its our home , like it or not. I'm not going anywhere.

I'm trying to teach my kids they have every right to be here and call themselves British and when some racist prick tells them they aren't British, they should reply the MILLIONS of white South Africans are actually Dutch and British should fuck off home then? I then tell them they should tell White Afrikans that to their face and see what happens.

On the flipside, if you can build a better life somewhere , go for it! If for example I could double my salary in a new country or some other amazing opportunity, I would go for it. But I wouldn't leave because I was just fed up with the UK.

Hey guys. Just to let you know it's showing on active

I literally started to type out an essay 😂so short answer I would love to move home to Jamaica but it’s not practical for us. This is going to be negative, but if you have the right circumstances, the quality of life is amazing, so don’t necessarily be put off.

On the race front in the Caribbean, you’ll be swapping racism for colourism and a different sort of classism. Now, personally, I feel it’s a much better deal, particularly where children are concerned but I do know people who struggle. In some cases, you may have to be cognisant that you are now the person with more privilege (still generally less than non-black minorities though) and make sure that you don’t behave in a way that puts locals at a disadvantage.

Practically speaking, you need to be at least degree educated, work in a convenient industry and have money. It is very expensive. I cannot stress this enough. It’s much easier if you have an established social network. Most people who do this leave within a year. Try and find an expat role.

Thanks for your replies. I know it will be difficult to establish ourselves but do know some people on the island I would like to live on, I have a 10 year old son who I think will receive a better education over there than in the UK.

We are not rich but we will sell our house and also have inheritance than will be coming in the very near future (FIL) recently passed away. We are in our 50's in good health.

I thought maybe there might be some families who are considering moving to Africa or the Caribbean and we could swap notes. Just seems it's me 😂

@Amisilli the education is for sure better, you’ll actually probably find that he’s behind and will have to have a plan around that. I’m not sure about other islands, but at this age, there is a high school entrance exam in Jamaica, which determines the schools you can apply for. I’m not sure how it works, if you apply for entry after this point. Then there’s university, if you want him to be able to come to university here and pay home fees you need to come back, I think three years before university starts.

My uncle has taken my aunt and my cousins back to Ghana. They've been there 3 months and so far so good

Please bear in mind very few countries have free healthcare at the point of use. It may be harder to access in more remote places.
Also consider how climate change may impact, increasing heat and droughts, more hurricanes.
Don't rush into moving, maybe do a trial over the school summer holidays and see how it feels.
Wishing you all the best.

I live between Caribbean and UK (London). Started that in my 50s, I dont spend winters in the UK. Born in UK but I feel no affinity with it whatsoever. There are of course aspects of UK that I quite like, only because they are useful to me as a means to an end. But I always knew I would end up not living here full time. Im not interested in spending all my elder years in UK. Caribbean just feels good.

My DCs think nothing of travelling regularly to our heritage country. I made sure to take them several times in their younger years. So they're used to it and now they're grown up, they go themselves. I would never raise my children to think UK life is the only way. It isn't. I think it's important for children to know their culture.

My younger sister emigrated there 12 years ago and she's happy and flourishing, with no interest in coming back to UK. I have relatives and old school friends who've emigrated too. They're perfectly fine.

Unfortunately there are some of us here with an innate fear of living in a Black country, this pseudo comfort zone has done a number on them. Many people move to the Caribbean and they dont fall to pieces. & Caribbean islands aren't all the same - even though it seems to me that somehow they're lumped together. Go and do a trial run then you can make up your own mind, but definitely don't be swayed by people who are solely UK minded.

I've also been to Ghana and met Caribbeans who'd been living there for years. I love it there.

Blaxit..I like that term🙂. Good luck

This story made me think of you OP:

amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/22/children-caribbean-british-racism-grenada-parents-collective

This is a really interesting topic. My husband and I are considering it with our 2 children. Also, with the prospect of conscription I would not be happy to stay here on that alone.

Thanks for your reply DeeCee. I agree that many people have a very Eurocentric way of looking at other countries. When I visit the Caribbean I feel very at home, and at peace, the same way when I visit certain countries in Africa.

I am I'm the process of selling my house and will buy a small house to rent out and be off. I know it won't be easy but my child is young and hopefully I will make friends through him.

I'm not giving myself a time limit. Will move and see what happens, if we need to return we can do.

Dm29 - some of the papers are full of talk about conscription, makes me wonder if they are slowly getting us used to the idea.

Amisilli

That's true, it won't be easy at first. Change can be hard to adapt to generally. Everywhere has it's challenges in one way or another. But I've no doubt you'll be fine, and you'll meet people who've done exactly the same as you. There are online groups for people who've either emigrated or thinking of emigrating to particular countries, they're good to join

I feel glad that I have somewhere else to go, and that my children know they have somewhere else to go too. Where numerous racist microaggressions (although I hate that term - all racism is aggression no 'micro' about it..!) aren't a thing. 1 life to live. Staying here with this right wing government, and knowing that generation unto generation racism will still be your portion. Also as DM29 mentioned - the possibility of conscription! Fighting for a country that scapegoats and others Black people but will be happy to make Black boys war fodder. I just think why put up with it all if you don't have to? We need a buffer against these things.

I'm good where I am. No war, coup, racism, terrorism.

Enjoy

@Amisilli - think it’s a smart move to retain a property here for some security.

Don’t know the island you’re moving to but Deedee is right, not all the islands are the same.

I know that in Jamaica you will find that having connections and knowing how thinks work is hugely advantageous on a number of levels - knowing “runnings”. Having friends and family can be useful for showing you the runnings and also for support generally.

You may also be seen as an outsider, from “faarin” and you may have to be on guard about being treated differently, e,g. being charged more for goods and services in certain circumstances.

You will quickly notice these things and can weigh these kind of things against the positives which will
be many. Seeing women who look like you in leadership positions and generally progressing in government, business, industry, the professional sectors will be inspiring. Depending on school choice the standard of education is likely to be good. In Jamaica, at the primary level that is likely to be a fee paying school although not massively expensive like UK private school fees. If your child does do well at the high school entrance exams and gets a place of choice most good secondary schools are non fee paying.

Don’t need to mention the climate and the food and depending on your income the possibility of hiring help around the house.

That’s just about one island but whichever it is there’ll definitely be pros and cons to weigh up but it’s great that you’re willing to find out for yourself.

Let us know how you get on!

I agree Yazzado, there is default growing movement of black folk wanting to move away from UK for many reasons but especially those of us with children ,watching them have to go through the same racism as we experienced, I am just so tired of it.

I'm 49 now but remember in the 90's I genuinely believed things would improve , but I feel the racism,xenophobia has got worse and I don't want to stay and fight it. I want a peaceful life with my family.

I haven't been to the Gambia but know friends of friends who have bought land over there. I have been to Kenya and South Africa and would love to discover more of Africa. However I think my heart lies in the Caribbean, unfortunately I'm not entitled to a second passport anywhere. I wish o had a home country to go to!

I did before to Scandinavia and thinking of going back. I do like the idea of being in Africa myself but not sure.