Of course information like this isn’t readily available or even announced on a wide scale. The powers that be may seem to be more interested in releasing news reports on grim, dark and often irrelevant incidences around the world, in addition to the useless gossip about the entertainment world that holds no true value, nor helps toward progression of any person in the real world we live in today. Information on real and important issues, such as dual citizenship for African Americans must be sought out. It must be something already planted in the minds of the many blacks that consume the American soil in order for a step forward to transpire. Of course, with things preoccupying our minds, like bills, security and simply surviving, these thoughts on such important matters may never come about for African American people as a whole, which is why this article is in full dedication toward bringing awareness to and enlightening the minds of the masses.
For many years now, political debates and scuffles have taken place on allowing dual citizenship for African Americans and their homeland. And Why not? Many other countries, including Europe (for many White Americans), China and even Israel (for many Jews) have already invoked such permissions a long time ago.
Dual citizenship comes with many responsibilities. There are many benefits to having it, as well as many factors to be aware of with regard to it. So why would African Americans be at all be interested in such a thing?
Benefits of Dual Citizenship for African Americans in Their Homeland
For one, having citizenship period allows a person the right to vote, the right to partake in the political matters that affect their country of citizenship, while also allowing for things such as investing and economical growth. Dual citizenship for African Americans means that the many blacks living in America can now do business in their homeland. There are the advantages of buying and selling of land and property, living in the continent and perhaps most importantly, allowing black Americans to retrace their long lost roots and heritage in their homeland.
There are currently quite a few countries within Africa that are partaking in allowing dual citizenship to expatriates, including South Africa and Ghana. There are stipulations of course within each of these countries that one must familiarize themselves with before applying, like being a South African resident for four years in South Africa. None the less, the overall perspective of obtaining dual citizenship for black Americans in their homeland is that of extreme significance when it comes to knowing “Who We Are”. Right now, many other countries in Africa, one-by-one, are forming petitions to be signed by both Africans and African Americans for support of dual citizenship in these native homelands where none exists. Currently, Liberia is one of those countries under the persuasion. In January of this year, the president of Liberia-Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met with President Obama in the oval office for various talks of politics. Perhaps this dual citizenship legislation was amongst the many topics discussed, as our current president can most certainly relate.
The American government as a whole, however, does not promote obtaining dual citizenship, although they cannot deny it. The fear is of true patriotism with other countries that may serve as a conflict of interest with the US. Never the less, an American citizen obtaining his or her citizenship in their native land cannot be stripped of their current US citizenship. So this leads to the question of “why not?” Why not obtain your natural citizenship to your homeland and become reacquainted with the heritage and rich history of your people, once lost some 400+ years ago?
To obtain dual citizenship in any of the participating countries of Africa, one must fill out an application and meet the generic criteria of citizenship. Specific information regarding this can be found through contacting the consulate or embassy of the country. Further, one may need to also gather information from the country’s department if immigration for further steps toward naturalization. In some cases, this application process can be done in its entirety right over the internet. There may be a fee in many cases, which is not at all unreasonable, and the process may take a few weeks or so as with any application processing. However, once citizenship has been granted, the reacquainted “Black” American can become familiarized once again, with their homeland heritage. They can partake in the many advantages of promoting economical, social and spiritual growth within their homeland as well as their current land of residence, and know that a sense of “Who we are” can no longer be stated in the form of a question.
Gregory Simpkins Africa Rising 21st Century, Africa Rising 2010
James Butty US, Liberians Launch Dual Citizenship Petition Drive, voanews.com