Magazine, The Immigrant Magazine, Stop The Hate
In a recent gathering that echoed with resilience and determination, The Immigrant Magazine had the honor of attending the Tegaru Professionals Networking Mixer hosted by the Tigrayan Community of Greater Los Angeles. As an active community partner for the Stop The Hate Campaign, The Immigrant Magazine, which traditionally focuses on the experiences of black immigrants, seized the opportunity to delve into the intricate layers of the African diaspora. Here, experiences of hate, akin to the struggles faced by all black communities in the USA, were compounded by traumas and internal conflicts within the diaspora.
The setting was a casual networking mixer in Los Angeles, where The Immigrant Magazine engaged with over 15-20 professional Tigrayans. The atmosphere, charged with both camaraderie and solemnity, provided an insider’s view into the heart of black immigrants’ experiences, marked by the shadows of their diaspora and the haunting realities of their home countries.
For many African immigrants from conflict-ridden regions, the weight of family traumas left behind, survivor’s guilt, and the inability to effect change back home cast a pervasive shadow on their lives. The Tigrayan community’s plight is not unique; it resonates with the struggles in various African nations, such as the decades-long Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon and the power struggle in Sudan.
The Tigrayan diaspora faces a particularly dire situation as they grapple with the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. Beginning on November 3, 2020, tensions erupted between Tigrayan security forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). The conflict has since been marked by allegations of human rights violations, including unlawful killings, torture, and sexual violence on both sides. The Ethiopian and Eritrean governments face accusations of crimes against humanity, including ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans.
During the mixer, The Immigrant Magazine had the privilege of engaging in a candid discussion with Tigrayan community members, led by Azeb Berhane, the newly appointed President of the Tigrayan Community of Greater Los Angeles. What started as a conversation about the hate experienced by black immigrants organically evolved into a heartfelt dialogue about the disappointments tied to the lack of support from fellow Ethiopians in the diaspora.
The Tigrayan community expressed frustration and helplessness about the situation back home. Passionate discussions unfolded about the impact of the war, with many sharing personal stories of loss and lamenting the atrocities experienced by their loved ones in Ethiopia. When asked about the way forward, a consensus emerged: while they had no control over the ongoing situation back home, there was a collective yearning for understanding from the greater Ethiopian community, acknowledging that both sides are victims of systems beyond their control.
Despite the grievances, there was a shared hope for reconciliation. The Tigrayan community members emphasized the importance of forgiveness and the release of hate as essential steps toward healing. In appreciation for the resources provided by the Stop The Hate campaign, they acknowledged that fostering understanding within the diaspora could pave the way for a better future for all Ethiopians, both within and outside their homeland.
The Tegaru Professionals Networking Mixer in Los Angeles stands as a poignant testament to the challenges faced by diaspora communities, particularly those grappling with conflicts in their home countries. The Immigrant Magazine’s experience at the mixer underscored the significance of empathy, understanding, and collective efforts in building bridges between communities, offering a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for all Ethiopians, both within and outside the diaspora.
#TigrayanUnity #DiasporaDialogues #EthiopianCrisis #LosAngelesNetworking #BuildingHope #CommunityResilience #StopTheHateCampaign #ImmigrantVoices #UnityInDiversity #BridgingDivides
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
