Nigerian-American Journalist Itoro Bassey Is Reshaping Narratives Around Women and Immigration
Written by Angel Nduka-Nwosu
In most African countries, the issue of immigration is a hotly debated topic. On the one hand, we have people advocating against the brain drain that is a result of people moving to European countries and the United States of America.
On the other hand, some people argue that Africans must have a right to move in search of greener pastures if the home situation is not working.
What then happens when the children of African and even Caribbean immigrants take time out to move to their parent’s countries as the only solution to finding themselves?
This wave, which is sometimes called “reverse japa” by Nigerians, brings up interesting conversations about home, racism, and the place of majority Black nations in healing those who have faced the trauma of being regarded as racial minorities for most of their lives.
It is this wave of moving back to African countries and then moving again to Western nations that Itoro Bassey, a Nigerian-American writer, journalist, and producer continues to explore in her writing, work as a journalist and news producer.
The author of a novel called Faith, she speaks on how immigration affects Black women and intergenerational expectations.
Better to Speak recently sat down with her to discuss what immigration means and her debut novel.
Better to Speak: First of all, congratulations on your debut novel, Faith. It's such a refreshing read that explores womanhood and what it means to move back to an African country when everyone is moving away from African nations. What would you say was the key inspiration for this novel?
Itoro Bassey: My own life, mostly. I grew up wanting to know more about where my parents came from and my origins, so I began to write from that yearning. There were also other writers I admired who wrote a lot about how their homelands had shaped them. Some of those writers who come to mind are Edwidge Danticat, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Adichie, and Jamaica Kincaid.
Better to Speak: You've moved back to Abuja, Nigeria though you now live in the United States. How was moving back for you? Did you experience any major culture shocks and how did you navigate them?
Itoro Bassey: It all happened rather quickly. I had an opportunity to take a job there, and I moved there without much context. It was a significant life change that I’m still processing now. I can’t say what central cultural shock sticks because there were many. But I’ll definitely say that choosing to live outside of the expatriate bubble allowed me to witness the nuances of the country on a deeper level. It also allowed me to build meaningful bonds with people I don’t think I would have gotten to otherwise. I think the most prominent cultural shock was when I sometimes forgot to address people by their titles. I got better with this over time, but in many circles, I observed that it mattered a lot to people, from oga to honorable to Madam, and so forth. Sometimes it made all the sense in the world to me to do this, as I have immense respect for elders and those who have worked hard to get to where they are. This can also be a way to honor someone’s life, which I believe can be substantial. At other times it was utterly devastating when those carrying these esteemed titles would abuse their positions of power and then cling to that title for holy life when it was clear they were in the wrong! It was a shock, and in many ways, it was not a shock for the African child.
Better to Speak: So when I was going through your profile I saw that you've worked as a producer, journalist, and writer. How does each of your interests fuel your creativity and how do you ensure to be at your best self in every creative title you carry?
Itoro Bassey: I still work as a producer in the news and it’s rewarding. I appreciate the work I get to do and that I can tell stories on this level. As a producer, I think of how I can add nuance to a story, specifically stories that are underreported and often misunderstood. When I get to create tools to both entertain and inform viewers this is deeply satisfying. I’m always looking to amplify the voices of the people most impacted by my stories. Writing for the news has also helped me as a creative writer, in terms of understanding brevity while crafting a compelling narrative. I’m trying to be more intentional about finding balance within my creative interests these days. That’s a work in progress. Sometimes it’s the producing that is more robust than the creative writing and vice versa. I’ve made my peace with that.
Better to Speak: There's been a wave of immigration from Nigeria to other countries and the same way there's been a slight return to Nigeria of children born to immigrants in places like the UK and the US. What do you think inspires this parallel shift and do you think that it affects women differently?
Itoro Bassey: I’m very interested to see what comes from this wave, it’s not the first to happen in its history, but for whatever reason, it feels very significant with everything going on right now. I do know that many people in Nigeria are searching for opportunities in a country where they can realize their fullest potential. I saw firsthand the frustration that takes over when you have all the capacity in the world and nowhere to put it to good use. I think living in that predicament is soul-crushing, and it makes sense why people are looking for possibilities outside of Nigeria. I hope that someday, it will be possible for the majority to realize their fullest potential in the country they were born in if they so choose. When I speak to many Nigerians, this seems to be what they’d prefer. On the flip side, my experience as a Black woman, American-born, raised by Nigerian parents in a small town, left me with a yearning to know my ancestry and understand how it informed my present. Even though I had never lived in Nigeria, I somehow missed the country. I think many people who share my experience can identify. No matter what side we’re on, there’s a gap we’re trying to bridge. And yes, I do think that making such moves can affect women differently. In both places, ideas of gender have to be reshaped and challenged. Living in Nigeria was the roughest decision I’ve ever made as a woman. I wouldn’t change what I did, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it for someone else.
Better to Speak: In your novel Faith, you explored the effects of racism and sexual assault on mother-daughter relationships. What are your thoughts on the prevalence of rape culture in Black communities and how do you suggest we address them?
Itoro Bassey: It’s devastating. And often, the violation doesn’t only start with the perpetrator. We know that many survivors usually deal with many violations and betrayals along their recovery journey. Often, survivors have to swallow the abuse in order to maintain the relationships they have within their communities. So I think a part of addressing sexual violence within the Black communities may first require us to break the culture of silence that keeps this cycle of sexual violence going. It’s not easy at all — especially because healing reveals — and there’s usually anger and confusion when abuse is revealed.
A level of complicity with the status quo is often revealed. Someone could know and do something, but ultimately, chose not to. So sexual abuse, and usually abuse of any kind, is not only the survivor’s problem. Nine times out of ten, it speaks to a deep wound within our communities and families. We found out that the abuse didn’t only happen to us, it also happened to them, and no one wants to talk about it, or do something to stop it. In my experience, the work of recovery is usually done by people who have a yearning to be on the right side of their ancestry.
They are often willing to face ridicule within their communities and families to make sure that things are better for the next generation. Which means they have probably had to sacrifice a lot, and endure a lot. There’s no easy answer to how a community recovers. All I can say is that restoring a community is the work of the warrior, and that warrior has to be willing to stand alone until the right people come along.
Better to Speak: In writing your novel, I've been meaning to ask if you drew from the experiences of some women around you because it was a very realistic portrayal. Did you do so?
Itoro Bassey: Yes.
Better to Speak: As a child of an immigrant, was there any notion you had to work against? Asking this because, in the novel, one could see how intergenerational trauma affected the expectations and relationships between parents and children. Did you have friends who fell out with parents due to a clash in dreams?
Itoro Bassey: I’ve had to release many notions of what it means to be alive as the child of immigrants. Definitely, issues around worthiness and belonging have been big themes of my life. I’m still a work in progress when it comes to this. And yes, I know many friends and acquaintances who have estranged relationships with their parents, sadly. It usually has to do with intergenerational pain and the clashes that result from that pain. I also know some people who are doing the work of mending relationships and figuring out how to keep their familial relationships while staying true to who they are. This is a delicate dance for sure!
Better to Speak: Are there any female characters in your novel who inspire you to be better? Can you mention some?
Itoro Bassey: Ekpewan. I like the idea of an ancestor who died in an unhealed state and is trying to figure out how to heal beyond the veil. It lets me know that after life there may be more life, and more opportunity to evolve and become who you’re really meant to be.
Better to Speak: Can you name some examples of Black women who encourage you to be your best?
Itoro Bassey: Here’s my list in this current phase of my life: Kristian Monroe, Viola Davis, Morenike Vaughan, Damilola Adesina, Kelly Rowland, Ijeoma Ndukwe, Andrea Hairston…
Better to Speak: Finally, if you could see the 17-year-old you, what advice would you give her?
Itoro Bassey: I love you very much. You’re safe with me. You deserve to be here and love is your birthright. You have everything you need to attract the creative life you desire. Your value comes from the Creator. It has nothing to do with what people say or think. In fact, what people think of you, or how they measure you, has absolutely nothing to do with you and your destiny. Remember this truth when you have to let relationships go to save yourself. Your courageousness will be your lifeline. God is always listening and watching. Treat people with kindness, the world needs it, and treat yourself with kindness too, because you need it. Drink water and mind your business. High vibes saves lives.
Stay Connected to Itoro Bassey:
Website: www.itorobassey.net
X: @Itoroflower
Instagram: @itorobassey_
Medium: itoroflower.medium.com
Angel Nduka-Nwosu (she/her) is a Nigerian writer, editor and journalist.
