Where is the human in migration? In an age of immigration as political posturing and propaganda, Massocki Ma Massocki presents a collage of dreams, journeys, tears, wills... even death. This book is an intimate retelling of lives and stories that strips migrants of convenient agenda-driven labels, baring them stark to the reader. With blood running in their veins, vulnerable to fear, driven by ambition--the emotive human is at the centre of Massocki's latest work. The Pride of an African Migrant is a frank expository conversation for today and of all time. It is a book that every immigration player should read--from potential migrants to diplomatic staff, immigration officials, foreign policy advisors... every person with a migrant family member or neighbour.
Praise for ' THE PRIDE OF AN AFRICAN MIGRANT'
'Mixing politics and philosophy with the personal, Massocki recounts his troubling yet powerful tale of migration from Africa to Europe. His memoir weaves in a rich and unusual variety of voices: from individuals he met along his journey, to those of presidents, philosophers, musicians and academics. The result is a provocative, political memoir that seeks to inform people of the realities of migrating to Europe: a call on Africans to embrace their pride and dignity.'
--Dr Melanie Griffiths, University of Birmingham, England, UK
'This is a contemporary mental, physical, and political odyssey. I have not come across such a graphic and personal account of a migrant's extensive experience of former Prime Minister Theresa May's "hostile environment" in all its finery. It is a powerful book. The more I go back to it, the more I see its potential to change minds--those of migrants and even those of people not forced to migrate. I think its publication is very significant.'
--Bill MacKeith, founder-member of Campaign to Close Campsfield and End All Immigration Detention (also involved with the Bail Observation Project (BOP), National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) / Right to Remain, Migreurop, Barbed Wire Britain, and Detention Forum)
'Where else but in the telling of stories of oppression and injustices will one be able to grasp the rawness of avoidable human suffering? No other writer but Massocki Ma Massocki can bring us, in the most gripping way, a story so real that we feel our hairs stand on their ends. We see the gaping horror of what asylum seekers from Africa faced in the UK. Through this book, Massocki is calling for our compassion, asking us to collectively stand up to this scourge of violations to human rights. Massocki believes that we can overcome anything through collective, worldwide efforts in advocating for our rights to dignity.'
--Dr Toyin Ajao, African Leadership Centre and University of Pretoria