Moving to Ghana as a Black American

Brut America

"Not having to worry about your freedom as a Black person... That is the ultimate goal for me."    In 2019, Deijha Gordon uprooted her American life and moved to Ghana. Here's why she did it.

Transcript

00:00So let's have a conversation in tree. This is my boat driver. Yeah, and he's teaching me tree. So where are you going?

00:08Who quickie?

00:10Okay

00:18Not having to worry about

00:20Your freedom as a black person

00:23You're right as a human being that is the ultimate goal for me

00:28And I think that is why I decided and it was a no-brainer for me to

00:32Part of why I decided to move to Ghana as well because of this free feeling

00:49They call it the motherland for a reason I feel like I'm being hugged when the wind blows

00:55The Sun just kisses my skin differently. It's such a good feeling to be somewhere where you are welcomed

01:02It's such a good feeling to be able to contribute back to the motherland when you leave

01:08I'm sure you'll take with you splendid memories that will enhance further our

01:14Common identity as black people you will always have a home here with us

01:25You

01:35Sometimes I sit like I'm gonna get teary-eyed because I used to be so miserable

01:42Back at work and now me actually living a dream

01:47It's just is it's it's really amazing to me what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself

01:54When you follow God's lead when you are able to hear and listen to the answers, and I just knew that it will be

02:02Significant and I wanted to be here specifically during that time. It was such a beautiful thing to see so many

02:11People from all over the world so many black people from all over the world

02:17Experiencing the motherland

02:25You

02:37My first time here Ghana reminded me so much of Jamaica, I'm following my ancestors

02:43I feel like they definitely called me back home. We are

02:47becoming aware of

02:50What we didn't know and

02:52we are also taking action to change a narrative of what we were taught Africa was like this is a

03:00live video of my uber driver

03:04Telling us to come back home

03:07This is yours

03:10Belongs to you. We love you

03:13This is your own

03:15Don't take yourself for granted. This is your route come back home and rest

03:23This is your restful place

03:37Starting the business was not easy

03:40but I believe that because

03:42So many Ghanaians are actually happy and excited that I came back home

03:49and I'm willing to give up my

03:53Western world they are willing to help me. I'm so thankful that they're welcoming me home

03:59It has not been easy, but it definitely has been rewarding just off of my personal growth

04:05Just off of being here in them in Africa in Ghana

04:10being able to

04:12provide jobs for Ghanaians

04:14To hire Ghanaians to help make their life better. It's just a great feeling

04:19This food is amazing

04:21Trust me, it's f***ing amazing

04:25You can see I have two glasses here

04:39This was not expected

04:42I love it

05:00My plan for the future is definitely to continue to educate

05:04Black people on what Africa is like it doesn't matter how far or how long we were separated

05:10We are here now. We are returning now and

05:13Come and be a part of this growth. I'm living my ancestors wildest dreams

05:17I always consider my ancestors because I just imagine what they went through and I always wonder if I'm making them proud

05:24How do they feel that I'm back here?

05:26actually

05:28following their steps of guidance

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