The shattered dreams of African migrants

This paragraph discusses the harsh realities faced by African immigrants in Europe, particularly Italy. It highlights the misconceptions about life in Europe, which is often portrayed as a dreamland on social media and by the media. The speaker, Elijah, emphasizes the significant effort, luck, and bravery required to make it in Europe, especially for those fleeing extreme poverty and limited opportunities in Africa. Chris shares his personal experience, noting the perilous journey and the luck involved in surviving it. The paragraph also touches on the issue of brain and labor drainage from Africa to Europe and the false images that lure the youth into believing in a better life in Europe, which often turns out to be a harsh reality of being 'slaves everywhere' and facing discrimination and stigmatization.

Paragraph 2 delves into the challenges of living in Europe without proper documentation. Ishmael describes the term 'black job' or 'lavoro nero' in Italy, which refers to undocumented work that immigrants often resort to when they lack legal papers. The harsh working conditions, long hours, and meager pay are outlined, emphasizing the difficulty of surviving on such earnings in Italy. Chris corroborates Ishmael's experience, highlighting the importance of documents and the pressures immigrants face from their home countries. Elijah discusses his research on the exploitation of migrants in Italy's agricultural fields, likening their conditions to contemporary slavery. Alicia, a lawyer specializing in migration, talks about new Italian laws that have made it more difficult for migrants arriving via the Mediterranean to obtain legal protection, particularly humanitarian protection, which was previously available to many who were not directly persecuted in their home countries.

In this paragraph, the panelists reflect on their personal futures in Italy and the broader implications for Africa. Ishmael expresses that he sees no future for himself in Italy and believes that the future lies in the motherland, Africa. Chris, who has integrated well into Italian society and has a family there, also acknowledges that his future is in Africa. Both emphasize the importance of not running away from the responsibility to change Africa. The panelists discuss the role of African political leaders, whom they accuse of being 'sell-outs' for not addressing the root causes of migration. They argue that the future of Africa is in the hands of Africans and that the current state of affairs is a result of colonialism and a capitalist system that creates illusions. The panelists call for a return to Africa to work on its development, rather than seeking a false promise of a better life elsewhere.

The final paragraph is a call to action for Africans to reclaim their future and address the systemic issues that lead to migration. The panelists argue that the traditional livelihoods have been stolen, and Africa remains a colonial economy. They stress that without addressing the root causes of the problems, any talk of solutions would be futile. The speakers express their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and their desire for a better future for Africa. They encourage those who are considering migrating to reconsider, suggesting that the money spent on the journey could instead be invested in starting a business back home. The panelists conclude by urging Africans to stay and work on improving their continent, emphasizing that the real question is whether the future is for Africans or for foreign colonialists and multinationals.