Introduction
This essay explores the representation of migrant and diasporic identities in the context of raced and gendered experiences, drawing on two pivotal scenes from the web series An African City (2014-2016), created by Nicole Amarteifio. The series, often dubbed the “African Sex and the City,” follows the lives of five women who return to Accra, Ghana, after living abroad, navigating the complexities of reintegration into their homeland. By critically examining specific scenes, this essay will highlight how race and gender shape their identities as diasporic individuals. Additionally, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah (2013) will be integrated to provide a comparative literary perspective on similar themes of migration and identity. Supported by academic literature, this analysis will address the intersectionality of race and gender in defining migrant experiences, arguing that these identities are not merely personal but are profoundly influenced by societal structures and cultural expectations in both African and diasporic contexts.
The Intersection of Race and Gender in Diasporic Return: Scene Analysis from An African City
One of the defining elements of migrant and diasporic identities in An African City is the intersection of race and gender, particularly in the context of returning to Africa after prolonged periods abroad. In Episode 1, the protagonist Nana Yaa, who returns to Accra from New York, is confronted with the cultural expectation of marriage during a family gathering. Her relatives question her single status, implying that her Westernised independence is at odds with Ghanaian norms of femininity. This scene underscores how gendered expectations in Ghanaian society challenge the autonomy she cultivated abroad, reflecting what hooks (2000) describes as the “double bind” of race and gender, where Black women must negotiate societal pressures in multiple cultural spaces (hooks, 2000). Nana Yaa’s identity as a diasporic woman is thus shaped by the tension between her globalised self and local expectations, highlighting how gender norms in Africa can marginalise returning women.
Comparatively, in Adichie’s Americanah, the protagonist Ifemelu faces similar gendered scrutiny upon her return to Nigeria, where her American-influenced independence is perceived as a rejection of traditional femininity (Adichie, 2013). This parallel reinforces the argument that migrant women, irrespective of specific African contexts, encounter gendered resistance that reshapes their diasporic identities. As Pierre (2004) notes, diasporic identities are not static but are continually negotiated through encounters with “homeland” cultural norms, often laden with patriarchal undertones (Pierre, 2004). Thus, for women like Nana Yaa, returning home involves a complex redefinition of self through the lens of gender.
Racialised Experiences in the Diaspora: Scene Analysis from An African City
The second scene of interest, from Episode 5, focuses on Sade, a Nigerian-Ghanaian character, who reflects on her experiences of racial microaggressions while living in the United States. During a conversation with her friends, she recounts being fetishised and stereotyped as an “African” woman, which made her feel alienated in the diaspora. This moment illustrates how race profoundly influences diasporic identity, as Sade’s Blackness becomes a marker of otherness in a Western context. Fanon’s (1967) seminal work on the psychological impacts of racialisation is pertinent here; he argues that the colonial gaze reduces Black individuals to stereotypes, stripping them of individuality (Fanon, 1967). Sade’s experience exemplifies this, as her identity abroad is defined not by her personal achievements but by reductive racial narratives.
This theme of racialisation is mirrored in Americanah, where Ifemelu blogs about the everyday racism she faces in America, from being asked to explain her “African” accent to navigating the politics of Black hair (Adichie, 2013). Both Sade and Ifemelu’s stories highlight how race becomes an inescapable frame through which their migrant identities are constructed in Western spaces. Indeed, as Gilroy (1993) suggests, the diaspora is a site of both connection and conflict, where racial identity is continually contested and reshaped by external perceptions (Gilroy, 1993). Therefore, the racialised experiences of characters in An African City and Americanah reveal the pervasive impact of race on diasporic selfhood, often marginalising individuals even as they seek belonging.
The Broader Implications of Raced and Gendered Diasporic Identities
The experiences depicted in An African City and Americanah are not isolated but reflect broader patterns within African diasporic communities. As Okpewho and Nzegwu (2009) argue, the return of African migrants to their homelands often involves a “re-learning” of cultural norms, particularly for women who must navigate rigid gender roles (Okpewho and Nzegwu, 2009). Furthermore, the racial challenges faced in the diaspora, such as those experienced by Sade, align with wider sociological discussions on how Blackness is constructed in opposition to Whiteness in Western societies. This binary, as Gilroy (1993) posits, creates a perpetual sense of displacement for diasporic individuals, who struggle to find a cohesive identity across different cultural landscapes (Gilroy, 1993).
Moreover, the intersectionality of race and gender in shaping migrant identities underscores the importance of viewing diasporic experiences through a nuanced lens. While men in the diaspora also face racial challenges, women like Nana Yaa and Ifemelu encounter additional gendered barriers, both in the West and upon their return to Africa. This dual marginalisation, as hooks (2000) articulates, often renders Black women’s experiences invisible in broader migration narratives (hooks, 2000). Therefore, critically examining works like An African City and Americanah provides valuable insight into the unique struggles of African women navigating diasporic spaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that migrant and diasporic identities, as portrayed in An African City and Americanah, are profoundly shaped by raced and gendered experiences. Through the analysis of two key scenes from An African City, it becomes evident that returning African women face gendered expectations that challenge their autonomy, while racial microaggressions in the diaspora further complicate their sense of self. These themes are echoed in Adichie’s novel, reinforcing the universal challenges faced by African migrants. Supported by academic perspectives, the discussion highlights the intersectional nature of identity, where race and gender interact to create unique experiences of marginalisation and negotiation. The broader implication of this analysis is a call for more nuanced representations of African diasporic identities, particularly those of women, whose stories often remain underrepresented. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics not only enriches our comprehension of African migration but also challenges simplistic narratives of return and belonging.
References
- Adichie, C. N. (2013) Americanah. London: Fourth Estate.
- Fanon, F. (1967) Black Skin, White Masks. New York: Grove Press.
- Gilroy, P. (1993) The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. London: Verso.
- hooks, b. (2000) Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. 2nd ed. London: Pluto Press.
- Okpewho, I. and Nzegwu, N. (2009) The New African Diaspora. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
- Pierre, J. (2004) Black Immigrants in the United States and the “Cultural Narratives” of Ethnicity. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power, 11(2), pp. 141-170.
