Hi Rachael,I’m Rufus Cheeks from Boston,Massachusetts and I know that the American dream is not for black people …that’s why I am finishing up my concerns so I can move completely to Uganda and get married and have my family in Uganda 🇺🇬 😊.
I absolutely agree with everything you said Rachel. I lived in the US for three years and my mind was completely changed to realise the ˋAmerican dream´ is not the only dream. I got to appreciate UG in so many aspects for example upbringing of children, morals, values, culture e.t.c. When I saw the things black children and black people in general have to go through in the US, I got to be more grateful for having had a childhood in UG.
Yes! Even though I grew up in Canada, I am so appreciative of my Ugandan background and upbringing from my parents. From morals, values, food, culture. I may have not always listened, but I'm happy the seed was planted because as I got older, I appreciated everything a lot more.
Ugandan here born and raised in Uganda and now currently living in the Bay Area, California with a toddler and I 💯 agree. The work life is relentless, society is very individualistic. Iam not sure how people raise kids here, it’s just set up to work against parents. Don’t get me started on the cost of living. Majority of the people are 1 paycheck away from homelessness or they are knee deep in debt with a mortgage and student loans so you can’t really get out of the rat race. I miss UG. Iam really considering moving back to raise a family. North America is great for a young adult starting out in their career if that career life is what you’re about but if you wanna settle, have work life balance and be present for your kids, it’s not it.
You are spot on that North America is great for a young adult starting out in their career, can live in North America with minimal cost of living (shared accommodation and such), have a side hustle and save save save. Once you stay longer and start adding in a family and such, it becomes more complicated. Sure, there are so many great benefits, but are you really living?
Great introspection about the different dimensions of life. I noted that towards the end of the video, you talked about the outward part of life, the lagacy: The lives we touch in both bigger and small ways. So often, we forget about that. For East and South Africans, it's the Ubuntu.
You are correct. The "American " dream is applicable to people who don't want to venture out of their comfort zone or culture. As a Black American who have visited other countries, my dream for life keeps adjusting. That status quo does not apply to me. Everyone wants to succeed and have a good life, no matter where they are. Love your honesty and willingness to venture out and do different things: that will serve you well later in life.
“My dream of life keeps adjusting” - it’s like you read my mind ! The end goal is generally always the same but the how and the journey is always adjusting ! 👏🏾 therefore it’s hard to fit in the status quo. And yes everyone does want to succeed, it just looks differently for everyone and that “American dream” bar is not enough hahah
Thank you for sharing. Very insightful and I can relate on so many levels. The white picket fence, the "American Dream", never appealed to me either. And as an African-Canadian woman with a lot of work experience and an MBA, I could see the glass ceiling. I also like excitement knowing that each day will not be the same. 🥰
Yes ! So you definitely understand where I’m coming from!! It feels like autopilot sometimes there for people who are dreamers and want more. You can definitely create an interesting life, it just takes more to get away from the status quo. What industry are you in?
Definitely family is why I left (even though I don't have mine yet). There are some projects we do with people from America and even that gives you a glimpse of their rat race (my internal question is always where are you running to?). For me coming to Uganda was about my mental health. I can't explain why but for me being back works well for my mental health. Maybe its my social support system here. Again I have to say I love these KB portions.🥰🥰
Family is a huge part! What killed me about your comment is "where are you running to?" hahahah I have to always ask myself the same thing. Even here and this imaginary rat race I created in my head. I'm off the north american hamster wheel, yet I'm still running. Conditioning is crazy. I also agree with the mental health aspect. I feel when I take time here and take care of me, it hits differently. You must have an amazing social support system. Is it mainly family? And thank you for always watching! I love the KBs and Chai sit downs. I'm so happy to just be chatting with you all.
Good insight and you know what, you might even want to change direction later which is fine. I would like to have a sit down with on this conversation Rachael if you'd be happy to do that.
I totally get what you mean Racheal. I've grown up in the UK since i was in my early teens and i'm in my 30s now. I feel exactly how you feel. There is so much i appreciate about the UK but i also have my reservations.
Yes! Is there something about hitting your 30s and realizing "actually, the elders and grown ups had a point."? hahah there's so much I appreciate too, and would love to blend both my backgrounds of being north american and ugandan, especially when raising a family.
Naye Rae, remember when you said that Ug isnt for the fainthearted..and that one needs to take a break from ug bse the systems are so frustruating etc..and that you'd have your kids in Canada etc...
Must have missed that one. Rach's frustrations are almost everyone's who leaves in ug but her reasons for being here are powerful that her love for ug goes beyond. Ndowooza I just love her
Yeah I remember that vid…I too agree that her frustrations with UG are valid..and I believe she meant that she’d give birth in CAD , cuz more efficient systems but she’d raise her kids in Ug cuz better environment socially… I would too!
haahha no no, I always said and still say at the moment, I will give birth to my babies in Canada. Health care ain't no joke haha. However, raising children in Canada? That requires winter and that's a no for me. I even have a chart for which months to conceive to give birth so I don't have to stay the winter. Other than that, Canada is for investing, visiting family, enjoying summer, and that's probably about it haha
Girl u glowing. Have been here in a minute super busy...don't forget about us in the 6ix...like let them east coast you know freeze their assets off😅...hope to be in east Africa in tje next few weeks soon as I wind up this project. Keep smiling
Heeey!! It has been a minute ! Glad you’re well and hope you’re keeping warm this Feb hahah . East Africa is definitely better weather, although rather all over the place this year 😅
I really looove the West.. It offers alot. The administrative systems work very well.. A lot of pple in Ug are struggling and arent happy with the poor infrastructure, no jobs, oh gosh, chaotic etc..the Ug govt doesnt help its citizens not a bit...Let's be fair, the West aint bad at all..otherwise ALOT of us would have rtnd to Africa..instead ALOT of us appreciate where we are and will remain these ends forever. Ug for a diasporans is good to visit then get out.. Stay a bit longer in Ug during ones retirement and back to the West...I cant fault the West..
@@maggien1119I have met people who have lived in Canada for over 20 years and appreciate Canada so who knows maybe the person commenting has lived there for a while.
@@Flourish_today maybe the west isn't for everybody. But if you are an African,that alone means that you are built for it. You won't need boxes of vitamins to survive in it. But hey some people value to fancy lifestyles to actually living life in abundance. This white man really colonised us to the core.
It definitely has its pros though I think the emphasis in the video is on where to raise kids. Most Ugandans immigrate to the west so there’s not much of a support system like back home, childcare costs are insane on top of your everyday bills so you are stuck working to just be able to afford to live and not being really present for your kids. The moral and value systems are equally different here and then you have to deal with having to socialize your kids in an environment where people that look like you are considered less than, it might not be as bad as back in the 60s but it’s still subtly present. That’s why some people would rather raise kids back home and have them move to the West for higher level school or work.
Great topic Racheal! You cracked me up the part where u said everyone in North America doesn’t know how to get off that fcking wheel 😆😆! I agree with you 100% given the cost of Living here in Canada! I personally thank God cuz I don’t have a Just Over Broke (JOB) 😂 I live in Canada comfortably without ever have to leave my house! But maan, growing up in Uganda left at 19, when I go back to visit, family and friends don’t make it easy for me ! Every single one of them is coming for help constantly lol! Some even take advantage! If I may ask, do u experience that yourself living in Uganda?
Hahahah that damn hamster wheel got everyone running in the same spot 😅🤣. That’s absolutely amazing that you created something for yourself!!! So many people want that for themselves. And yeaaah I see the family members and needs always coming up when my parents are around. So far no one’s come to me but maybe because I keep to myself a bit too much. Also, I’m the type to give you a job so you can make the money rather than just give you straight cash 😅. I feel like it helps the person more in the long run but that may be very Canadian of me 😅😂
@@RachaelNalumu hahaha 😂, very Canadian indeed! Ugandan folks do not understand that part! I’ve tried it and they’ve called me a mean person! As u mentioned in the video, it’s never boring in Uganda, so, we party more than we work in UG😂
@@allanssozi8910 when you go back to visit do you live with relatives becauae that can be a problem. If you rented a place for yourself while there, you could avoid a lot of begging.
@@Flourish_today I actually don’t, I made that mistake once, never did it again, but even if you rent away from everyone, somehow they will find a way to get to you lol
@@RachaelNalumu good approach of creating jobs for those who ask and I feel this is what we should all emphasize and teach or train our people to work and sustain themselves.
It’s the opportunity to make way more than you would make for the same work in Uganda. And I think people would make that much if they packaged their services better and offered them to the right market in Uganda but I guess it’s easy to see that after you’ve left Uganda for abit and you again abit of perspective
@@glorianamaalwa3238 this part ! I tell people this all the time but I also have to remember this is my perspective having lived elsewhere before. Money can definitely be made in Uganda without leaving. It’s just the slower option for some