Comments on: The Ethiopian dream: come to America then go back home

By: Petros

Petros — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:31:09 +0000

Really am touched by this beautiful story! I am 22 yrs old Ethiopian who lives in Houston, Texas & like many Ethio-Americans I have a dream to go back to my homeland!I hope mother Ethio will regain her glory very soon like during Axumite Kingdom!The time we lead this world economically & politically will come very soon!Let’s forget the difference between us & march forward by having unity in our diversity!God bless Ethio!

By: GGG

GGG — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:45 +0000

Hi,
Being an Indian living in the Western world, I can identify your story as well. And I m sure many more Indians would agree with me. We move to countries like US and Canada in search of greener pastures or to be with our spouse, have children and raise them, and once we go past middle age, get that irresistible feeling of going back to our homeland… after all, that is where we grew up, and that is what comes back to lovingly haunt us once we are past our purple days of life.
I loved your simple narrative. Wish you all goodness in life. God bless!

By: berhe from colorado

berhe from colorado — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:11:40 +0000

i read and unnderstand all the article,and i absoltily agree,and i decide to go home ,there are oportunity to do something there so lets go!

By: Alazar

Alazar — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:45:28 +0000

(Answer to previous comment, they have nightclubs, not a lot.)—A very well written article, as a 16 year old IB student from Seattle, I must say that i’m quite isolated from the influence of Ethiopian culture. There are many Somalians and very few Ethiopians, I still love Seattle, but I might never follow up on my Ethiopian culture. I plan to help the country, maybe in the future, when I become moderately successful. The good thing is, my parents thought me how to speak Amharic fluently, at least that might help me, when I visit after I graduate from college. (Probably in 13 years)

By: lilkunta

lilkunta — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 08:32:25 +0000

Why do so many Ethipians own DC nghtclubs? Is this something they did back home, run entertainment businesses?

By: woldeab

woldeab — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:32:46 +0000

When I saw the title of your article, I was motivated to read more. Upon completion of the article, I found myself in absolute agreement. I think that no matter how much I accomplish here, either educationally or professionally, I find that my thoughts are often on back home. My father immigrated to the US in 1982, and even though I was born and raised in the US, I still myself identifying my Ethiopian/Eritrean background. Often times, I do think how it would be if I returned home. But, I do think that once I achieved all or most of what I want to achieve in the US and the right conditions back home materialize, I would want to move back and help my home country develop.
The article definitely “hit the nail on the head”.

By: mimi

mimi — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:31:14 +0000

Interesting..just came back from a short vacation in addis ..met with a lot of my diaspora friends who recently made the moove ..proffessionals who are driven to contribute to the developmental efforts..others just interested in investment opportunities..All in all my observation was that they were happy. Most of them told me that ethiopia has to continue convincing them that their move was not in vain but generally seemed satisfied..I was away for 21 years and had no desire of mooving back until i went there few weeks ago and realised eventhou i love my life here in the U.S, Id love to try out Addis…. what makes it stand out is being amongst loving parents..family, friends…nothing beats that..even the comfort and the convenience we have here in the U.S. I want my son to experience that warm loving environment..i enjoyed your article..thanks..i can relate..

By: DigEthiopia

DigEthiopia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:42:25 +0000

The Ethiopian dream: come to America then go back home…

Thank you for submitting this cool story – Trackback from DigEthiopia…

By: peter

peter — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:02:36 +0000

Excellent writer , “are you talking about me ?” , when I preyed to god ten years ago to come to America , I also begged him for my return , I think the day is close . America is really a land of freedom , I love being living here in US but I have a plan to rise my kids back home.

By: Mitmita

Mitmita — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:53:14 +0000

The key is to focus on how we can all work together with ourselves and others for a better common future for us and for our children, for Ethiopians abroad and at home!!!

By: Hiwot

Hiwot — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:50:31 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story… as someone said it once, “Here physically, always back home in spirit”, so true for most of us!

By: antonio

antonio — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:35:37 +0000

I am an african american and when i read this story even i was proud to know that fellow africans still hold on to there culture and want to return home to bring ethiopia back to prominence. As most know african americans were forced to lose there cultural ties to west africa during slavery . But I and other people look up to ethiopia and her people because the are the beaken of hope. The hope that we all can bring africa the respect that she deserves. My brothers and sisters from abyssina we will always been on your side and i hope and pray that ethiopia will flourish again. I plan on visiting because my queen is from addis. God Bless

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:55:39 +0000

The article resonates with me as well. Ethiopians are part and parcel of the new American History. Ethiopians are new immigrants. Prior to the 1974 revolution, almost all who came abroad were students of privileged background and almost all returned to Ethiopia to serve at some official capacity, a position that was awaiting for them. However, it was in the mid 70s Ethiopians were suddenly forced to flee Ethiopia to save their lives. These were brilliant but politically confused generation. So they left suddenly and hoped to return. But days turned into weeks, then months, then years, and then decades. They were always waiting for the right political climate to return. In the process children were born in America. But what is truly incredible is how fast the first generation Ethiopian Americans are raising in achievement. In my opinion, despite all the political, ethnic, and other issues that divide Ethiopians in the Diaspora, individual parents have done an incredible job of raising these children with respect and admiration for their culture while embracing their new home. I can see their labor bearing fruit just by browsing through the various human stories, interviews with authors, artists, scientist, etc on this website alone, including this article. The result is expressed so beautifully by the journalist Tesfaye Negussie: “Many Ethiopian-Americans born in America will stay and raise kids here. We, unlike our parents, have grown with American culture and taken it as our own. But our pride for Ethiopia burns strong. Many of us speak broken Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Gurage — or the language of whatever region our parents are from. We will dress in green, yellow and red patterns. Or wear shirts with pictures of Halie Selassie, as to say, “I am Ethiopian.”

“Moreover, we are the gatekeepers to an array of ethnicity, languages and religions that have coexisted for centuries.”

By: Tezu

Tezu — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:34:34 +0000

Your story resonated with me and i am sure it will do the same with other Ethio-Americans. Your story is also especially very interesting to me since i have been thinking about this topic more and more. The main reason why our people migrate to the US or other countries is to live a better life, whether that means furthering their education, or getting a better paying job to then live a better quality of life than back home. BUT no matter how many years or decades we stay abroad, we are reminded that our root is from elsewhere, and as you mention, and we often get a sudden and unsatisfiable urge to feel and taste our authentic culture again. The idea of relocating back to Ethiopia is also a notion i have been hearing and seeing more often. I guess, if one can have a comfortable life back at home, then the quest and need for immigration is no longer applicable.

Thanks for sharing