“Dear America, I love you. Reciprocate the love,” said Boyah J. Farah. “That’s what Black people are saying.”
Last Wednesday, author Boyah J. Farah delivered his keynote speech, marking the conclusion of Black History Month. He recounted memories and discussed some of the anecdotes found in his book “America Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir,” which was selected as NPR’s best book for 2022.
Farah was born in Somalia where he encountered numerous near-death experiences. After facing the trials of war firsthand during his adolescence, he would make his way to a refugee camp in Kenya alongside his family.
Nonetheless, Farah was still faced with the death of those around him. As a child, it was his job to predict who might be next to pass away, and then did a grave near their campsite accordingly. However, his determination to survive didn’t waver.
“I used to speak to the stars,” Farah said. “I’d tell them, ‘Dear God, do not kill me here. Kill me in America.’”
Farah had heard of the advantages available to those in the United States and longed to experience them for himself.
“I wanted to be 100% American,” said Farah. “Forget about Somalian, forget about African, I wanted to be American.”
After traveling to the United States at 18, Farah arrived in Bedford, a city near Boston, and began his education. Soon enough, Farah would try his hand at writing, inspired by icons like Ernest Hemingway and Nina Simone.
However, at the same time, Farah quickly started learning how his identity was being perceived differently since leaving Africa.
“Nobody is Black in Africa,” Farah said. “The idea of being a Black man in America didn’t make sense to me.”
Farah explained how he once parked his car outside of a pharmacy for just a few minutes, only to be approached by a policeman a few minutes later. Accusing him of causing an incident at a neighboring bank, the policeman proceeded to take Farah inside the bank and ask the clerks if Farah was the right guy. Luckily enough, one of the clerks confirmed his innocence and he was let go.
Despite his release, Farah had to recognize and accept his new circumstances. Although his skin color didn’t mean much in Somalia, the systemic racism he experienced while in America was not going away anytime soon.
But the racism he’d have to endure in America would not stop him from succeeding. To Farah, it was as if everything that had happened to him had ultimately led him to complete his memoir, including moments like the pharmacy situation.
Not only was he able to release his pain through literature, but he found that he was able to connect his identities—being African, American, and a Black man—by writing about his journey.
“I am a survivor of war, I’m a Black man, an advocate…” Farah said. “And literature brings it all together.”
Farah encouraged his audience to do the same.
“Anger is energy. Love is energy. When you’re so angry, pick up your pen. Write.”
For those interested in learning more about his thoughts and experiences, Farah’s memoir can be purchased online.
Herman Roberts can be reached at [email protected]