The article “Homing Guangzhou: Emplacement, belonging and precarity among Africans in China” by Roberto Castillo, is a well written work on the emergence of African nationalities in Southern China and how their vulnerability and uncertainty makes them far from settling or calling Guangzhou home. Yet, the ability of these individuals to organize and provide ways to create opportunities for themselves and their fellow Africans is something that is inspiring. The structuring solidarity through football part of the article was something I could personally relate to; as I was involved in similar program in the U.S. called “soccer without borders” when I first arrived from Eritrea. Football has been a key instrument to bring individuals together,
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According to Tony, the police (chengguan) act very discriminatory and violently towards Africans that don’t have a valid passport. Similar to Latino individuals getting harassed for not being “documented” in the U.S., African individuals faced similar vulnerability in China. Thus, it made sense for individuals to not feel at home in China because nothing is guaranteed. Even for Tony, who is considered a stable person compared to his fellow Africans, life was extremely hard as he struggled to manage his business in China. His story of being bankrupt and receiving his first born baby gave a real picture of the struggle faced by individuals looking to succeed and make a living for their families. Tony described the crackdown of police officers on Africans as non discriminatory and racist, rather he stated that these officers made an economy out of it. For every person they attain that doesn’t have a valid passport they are paid extra and this motivates them to crackdown on Africans relentlessly. Biafra’s story of being caught and arrested for a night, and having the privilege of his well known brother paying for his release put things in perspective. While other Africans who don’t have the money stay in detention waiting for someone to pay for them, as there is no
According to Tony, the police (chengguan) act very discriminatory and violently towards Africans that don’t have a valid passport. Similar to Latino individuals getting harassed for not being “documented” in the U.S., African individuals faced similar vulnerability in China. Thus, it made sense for individuals to not feel at home in China because nothing is guaranteed. Even for Tony, who is considered a stable person compared to his fellow Africans, life was extremely hard as he struggled to manage his business in China. His story of being bankrupt and receiving his first born baby gave a real picture of the struggle faced by individuals looking to succeed and make a living for their families. Tony described the crackdown of police officers on Africans as non discriminatory and racist, rather he stated that these officers made an economy out of it. For every person they attain that doesn’t have a valid passport they are paid extra and this motivates them to crackdown on Africans relentlessly. Biafra’s story of being caught and arrested for a night, and having the privilege of his well known brother paying for his release put things in perspective. While other Africans who don’t have the money stay in detention waiting for someone to pay for them, as there is no