We are all African Here - Ch. 3

Key themes in Ch. 3 — Into the heart of Europe: Migrants in Brussels and Beyond by Loftsdóttir (2020)

1. We are all African here

2. West African migrants

3. Structural racism

4. Borders and immigration systems

5. Global hierarchies

Ch. 3 — Into the heart of Europe: Migrants in Brussels and Beyond by Loftsdóttir (2020):

We are all African here

• An ironic phrase with double meaning

  • Means that all Africans are lumped together in Europe based on assumptions of race

  • Also means that there is solidarity between people of different tribes in Niger because now they are all ‘just African’

• Because they are lumped together, West African migrants are stereotyped with no regard to their individual backgrounds and reasons for migrating

Ch. 3 — Into the heart of Europe: Migrants in Brussels and Beyond by Loftsdóttir (2020):

Structural racism

• It affects every part of W-African peoples’ migration journey, from VISA processes to employment opportunities and social inclusion

Ch. 3 — Into the heart of Europe: Migrants in Brussels and Beyond by Loftsdóttir (2020):

Borders and immigration systems

• Act not only as physical barriers but also as racial filters, deciding who deserves to belong

• Schengen makes this distinction very clear, as certain nations move freely throughout Europe, but it is made much harder for those more undesirable

Ch. 3 — Into the heart of Europe: Migrants in Brussels and Beyond by Loftsdóttir (2020):

Global hierarchies

• They are rooted in colonialism and are still prevelent today

• Africans are often perceived as coming from ‘problematic’ or ‘dangerous’ places, making it harder for them to be seen as legitimate travellers, workers, or citizens