Sure, the world may be changing and times moving fast. Cultures that were snubbed in the past are slowly becoming recognised and accepted. However, a hidden prejudice towards Africans (black people generally) still exists today, whether we like it or not.
This was shown by the airport security at the Duesseldorf airport.
Belgium-based politician and activist, Assanta Kanko, who is originally from Burkina Faso was embarrassed when the airport security insisted on questioning her mixed race daughter.
The politician who is married to a Belgian man took to Twitter to share her ordeal.
According to her, after presenting all necessary documents with fingerprints, the security man asked her 8 year old daughter, “Is this really your mama?”.
Apparently, this is not a new thing. Popular Nigerian writer, Chika Unigwe sympathised with her and shared her own experience.
@Assita_Kanko lol. I've been asked that at the airport (in Atlanta, I think). It must be something in the airport police handbook 🙂 🙂
Agreed, kidnapping and abduction of children is a global problem. However, smarter and less embarrassing checks should be devised because there are many mixed race children in the world.
African men are viewed through mostly negative perspectives across many parts of the world.
In Europe, Italy to be precise, they are commonly seen as the ones who peddle trinkets and bags on the corner, but never in designer suits.
Wale oyejide, the creative director and brains behind Philadephia-based African fashion brand, Ikire Jones, is also an Afrobeats musician, writer and attorney.
Being an immigrant himself, the Nigerian-born designer began his journey into the fashion industry as part of a personal creative evolution.
Without any formal education in fashion, his designs are sometimes inspired by Kanye Wests’ lyrics and the latest collection from Ikire Jones is themed ‘After Immigration’.
The West African models and asylum seekers, Abdoulay, Gitteh and Madi were scouted from a local settlement organization that houses asylum seekers.
The collection seeks to portray African Immigrants as real and employable people with stories like every other human.
In contrast to popular African-themed fashion editorials where the models are impoverished and posing in a sad background, these models were dressed up in really cool suits in the streets of Florence, Italy to portray their elegant side.
‘After Immigration’ also aims to tackle the lack of diversity and black models in high end fashion by proving that men like Abdoulay and his friends can be found in many parts of the world.
The models were also featured when the collection was displayed in Italy’s Pitti Uomo Fashion show.
This editorial shoot shows the many holes in not only the fashion world but also immigration policies.
All Ikire Jones pieces can be shopped here: www.Ikirejones.com
Check out their Twitter page for more interesting photos: @IkireJones
Photography and featured image by Neil Watson of 10 Leaves.
What do you think of this collection?
1. You, when your parents asked “what is that Whatsapp thing?”
Uhm. Ehn. Well…
2. When they told you they wanted to join.
Ah! Why na?
3. When they asked you to teach them how to “operate it.”
Hay God!
4. You, when they finally started using it.
It’s all over.
5. How they pronounce it:
You’ve given up on trying to correct them.
6. You, every time they send you one of those broadcasts.
Mummy, it’s fake.
7. Them, every time you don’t reply the broadcast.
“Better do what it says.”
8. When you change your display picture and they start complaining.
Ah. Leave it na.
9. When they keep sending you inspirational pictures and funny videos.
Where are you even getting them from?
10. When they keep giving one-word responses to everything.
Ah. Why are you forming for your own child?
11. You, in the family Whatsapp group.
Why am I even here?
12. When you start contemplating whether you should just block them.
Can I afford new parents?
13. Whenever they use you as their display picture.
I’m special.
14. When they ask you to explain your status message.
Well, actually…
15. When they finally discovered Whatsapp voice messaging.
It has ended.
If you have been itching to see how foreign artists will look in African wear, today is your lucky day
Yass!
Ghanaian graphic designer, artist and fashion designer, Dennis Owusu-Ansah brought his awesome skills into recreating photos of these artists in African attire.
