COMING
2
AMERICA

But it has a history. Long before then.

1988. Ibadan, Nigeria.

A city you've heard little about. But a city whose people have pride of their own. A boy watches a younger Eddie Murphy on a small-flickering television. On screen, a Prince of a fictional African nation swaggers through New York; his royalty unseen by those around him.

In that way, Prince Akeem of Zamunda is like every African Uncle in America the Nigerian boy will ever know. They're less brash than they would be at home. Less Radiant. Less Seen. In America, it's expected that they stay in their place. And so, some of them forget who they are.

Still, the boy from Ibadan watches.

2016. Florence, Italy.

The boy is older. Now a designer, among other things.

He stands with newly arrived West African migrants that have crossed the Mediterranean Sea. They've barely escaped with their lives; only to be welcomed by fear and disgust. Each of them looks like his relatives. Each of them speaks with eyes downcast. He asks if they will consider modeling for him. They look up. They smile. They speak less meekly. Afterwards, they receive a standing ovation from the same people who would otherwise ignore them in the streets. Now, they're seen for all that they are. And now, they remember how to be: Always Upright. Always Radiant.

Again, the man from Ibadan watches.

Later, he receives a call about a Prince of Fictional African Kingdom.
He remembers the distant uncles in New York. He remembers the distant cousins in Florence. He thinks of their laughter: less loud than it would be in their own homes.

"Yes. I would love to." He answers, quickly.

He's older now. With a little girl of his own beside him.

He works to correct the historical record. In museums. Fashion. Film. And inside the walls of migrant detention camps. Through it all, the girl watches. She stands taller because of it.

Refugees. Runway Shows. Hollywood Royalty. And Refugees, Again.
Each of us could be any of these.
Each of us would be no less beautiful because of it.

If this work stands for anything, let it serve as a Reminder.