In this thought-provoking episode of "Talk to Me, Michele," we delve deep into the realities many Black Americans face today as they consider leaving the United States in search of better opportunities and peace. Michele discusses the emotional toll of microaggressions and the contemplation of building a life where one's value is truly recognized. She explores destinations like Ghana, Portugal, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Mexico, uncovering the vibrant communities and opportunities awaiting them.
Join her in questioning societal norms and the underlying fear that holds many back from pursuing a life elsewhere, while emphasizing the importance of not merely surviving but thriving. Michele encourages listeners to redefine their freedom and embrace their self-worth and potential beyond geographical borders.
Support this podcast at HTTP://www.buymeacoffee.com/talktomemichele
00:00:00 --> 00:00:25 Music.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:28 Hey, y'all. Welcome back to Talk to Me, Michelle, where the real ones gather.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:34 The truth gets unpacked, and we call a thing a thing, even when it makes people uncomfortable.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:38 Now, listen, the energy lately has been, well, it's been off the chain.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 Folks are out here showing their whole ass like it's a talent show.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:47 And I don't know about you, but I've reached that pack up my desk and leave
00:00:47 --> 00:00:52 during lunch phase. You know, like the season finale of A Toxic Job where you
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 just slide your badge across the desk and just keep it pushing.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 But before we get into the deep stuff, it's time for our listener letter of the week.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 And this one right here, somebody better hold my earrings.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:06 Dear Michelle.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:13 I work in a corporate office where I'm constantly being spoken to with disrespect.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:20 My ideas are ignored, but when someone else repeats them, suddenly it's the best thing since Wi-Fi.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:25 I've been called too emotional. I get eye rolls when I speak and don't even
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 get me started on the comments about my hair.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 I'm exhausted from being the only one expected to smile through the nonsense.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:36 I don't want to be seen as the angry black woman, but I'm tired of swallowing
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 my pride and keeping the peace. What would you do?
00:01:40 --> 00:01:44 Oh, Lord, you are not crazy. You are not crazy. you are just surrounded.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 I'm going to break this down for you. You are not too emotional.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 They're just too uncomfortable.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 Your voice is threatening to people. You've been whispering this whole time
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 and your hair is not a distraction.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 It's just the magic that they will never understand.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 So my advice is to document everything, protect your peace.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:10 And if it starts feeling like a spiritual eviction, don't just walk away.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:16 Moonwalk with Beyonce strut and leave that cubicle in a cloud of cocoa butter and boundaries.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:21 And if HR is not helping you, HR might just be another letter in the alphabet
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 soup you no longer need to eat.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:32 Which brings me to today's main topic, because honestly, what do you do when
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 microaggressions become daily?
00:02:34 --> 00:02:40 When the news looks like a horror series and peace feels like a privilege instead of a right?
00:02:40 --> 00:02:45 More and more Black folks are asking a real question. Is it time to leave America?
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 Like, do we stay loyal to a country that gaslights us, drains us,
00:02:50 --> 00:02:54 and then tells us to smile through it? Or do we start building a life somewhere
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 that actually sees our value?
00:02:56 --> 00:03:01 We're about to get into it. The fear, the freedom, and the top places Black
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 Americans are moving for a whole new life. So stay with me.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 We're not running. We're rising.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 So we've established that America is acting like a real step-parent.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 You know, it's giving us that step-parent energy right now.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 So I want to talk about where folks are actually going when they decide to pack
00:03:19 --> 00:03:20 up the nonsense and try joy elsewhere.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:25 Because believe it or not, there is a life outside of Chick-fil-A and Walmart, okay?
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 First place is Ghana. Oh, honey, yes, we're going to go back,
00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 not in a roots in slavery trauma kind of way, but in a reclaiming what they
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 tried to steal kind of way.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 Ghana rolled out the red carpet with that year of return.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:46 You step off the plane, and immediately you feel like your ancestors just gave
00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 you a spiritual fist bump.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:53 It's more than just beautiful beaches. it's emotional healing cultural connection
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 and walking down the street and seeing everybody look like your aunties your
00:03:57 --> 00:04:03 cousins even your high school crush and guess what you're the majority no code
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 switching no explaining your braids just vibes.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:14 Portugal is also on the list. Portugal is that quiet friend who minds a business,
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 drinks wine by the water, and somehow has their entire life together.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:24 Lisbon and Porto, the anesthetics alone are enough to make you cancel your return flight.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 But here's the kicker. The cost of living won't make your wallet cry.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 There's a growing number of black people out there thriving,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:36 starting businesses, dating freely, and walking around without the emotional
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 weight of being the only one in the room.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 And the racism, yeah, it exists. Like it does everywhere.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:47 But the vibe is way more like a weird stare versus, you know, fearing for your life.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 Even though that's sad to say, but that's a huge upgrade.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 Next is Costa Rica. Now this one is for my Pura Vida people.
00:04:56 --> 00:05:01 The ones who want peace, mangoes, and maybe a hammock overlooking the ocean
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 while you sip on something with a coconut in it.
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 Costa Rica is chill to its core.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 There's Afro-Caribbean roots, especially strong on the Caribbean side.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 And this is not a place where your skin tone is a political statement.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 It's just part of the beach scenery and the nature.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:23 It will heal your spirit. You will forget that your email even exists. And that's the goal.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:30 South Africa is next. Now listen, if Ganya is the ancestral hug,
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 then South Africa is the bold cousin.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:38 The cousin who's got the looks, the business mindset, and the whole vibe of
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 black excellence, it all lives right here.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:46 Cape Town and Jonesboro, they are giving tech, fashion, food, art, and music.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:51 I mean, black folks running things and looking good doing it out there.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:56 You'll see melon on all the billboards, in the boardrooms, on the beach.
00:05:56 --> 00:06:01 Yes, there are still social and economic divides, but you're not walking into
00:06:01 --> 00:06:06 rooms where your blackness is questioned, you're walking into rooms where you
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 are assumed you're powerful.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:14 And last is Mexico. Yes, Mexico. Don't sleep on our neighbor because she's out
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 here giving low-cost living, spicy food, and freedom from U.S.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 Foolishness with a little side of guacamole.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:26 Tulum, Merida, Mexico City, these places have whole black communities living their best lives.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:31 The Wi-Fi is strong, the rent is weak, and the margaritas are consistent.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 And when you miss home, you're just a quick flight away.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:41 And let's be honest, once you're sipping coffee on a rooftop in Mexico City, America can wait.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 So yes, all these places have their own issues.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:49 No country is perfect. But when you walk around and your existence doesn't feel
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 like a resistance, that's a win.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:57 And more of us are realizing maybe the American dream is just that, a dream.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:01 And maybe it's okay to go build a new one somewhere else.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 Now let me address that big old elephant in the passport office fear.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 Because once you start talking about leaving America, here come the voices,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 usually from folks who ain't left the state since 1993.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:19 You gonna leave your family? What about your job? You sure it's safe over there?
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 The question is, is it safe here?
00:07:22 --> 00:07:26 You scared I might get robbed in Ghana, but I literally can't even jog through
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 my own neighborhood without somebody clutching their purse or calling the cops.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 Let's stop pretending fear is wisdom.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:38 Some fear that we carry, that's not our intuition. That's trauma dressed up like advice.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:44 And the real punchline here is a lot of what's keeping us here isn't comfort, it's conditioning.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:50 We've been told your whole life that this country was the only way to survive,
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 but survival ain't the goal anymore.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:58 How about wanting that peace, being able to breathe, just the space to be,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:02 not justifying our existence every five minutes.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:08 And no, I'm not saying sell everything and move to the jungle with no Wi-Fi tomorrow. Just relax.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:13 You guys start small, okay? Go visit a place first.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:17 Just check out the vibe just to see if that's something that you would actually
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 want to devote yourself to.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:23 And join a Facebook group. They got Facebook groups everywhere on that platform.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:27 And they also have black vloggers, people who travel abroad.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:32 And if you watch YouTube vlogs of black folks who are already living their best
00:08:32 --> 00:08:36 life abroad, tap into communities that actually give summits.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:40 I mean, there are sisters out here doing it and thriving. They're teaching,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:44 sharing, and showing the blueprint. and they want you to win too.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:50 I get it. The unknown is scary, but so is staying in a place that slowly chips
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 away at your soul while you're calling it freedom.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 So I want you to ask yourself this.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 What does freedom feel like to me?
00:08:58 --> 00:09:04 Not what the flag says, not what your job says, not your mama's cousin who has never left Detroit.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:11 And if the answer is ease, joy, being seen, heard, loved, then it's okay to
00:09:11 --> 00:09:15 go find it, even if that means leaving the place you thought you had settled for.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:19 I will leave you with this. You are not a tree. You can't move.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:24 You're not rooted in dysfunction. You don't owe loyalty to struggle.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:29 You can choose something different, even if nobody around you understands it yet.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:33 Just remember, fear might visit, but don't let it unpack and stay.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 Pack your piece instead.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 All right, everybody, let's breathe in, breathe out.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:43 And I'm going to bring it on home because if anything else sticks with you today,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 let this sink deep into your spirit.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:51 It's okay to want peace, even if your peace means living in another country.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:56 You do not have to suffer to prove loyalty to a country that is out here acting
00:09:56 --> 00:10:01 like a bad situation ship, full of empty promises, dry apologies,
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 and gaslighting you every election cycle.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:10 Let me say it a little louder for the folks stuck in the fear-based patriotism.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:16 You are not less black, less brave, or less American because you chose peace over struggle.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 You're being wise, you're worthy, and you're done settling.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:24 Now I want to hear from you. Have you ever thought about leaving the U.S.?
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 Where would you go? And if you haven't, what's stopping you?
00:10:27 --> 00:10:32 Is it fear, family, that old job with no AC and bad coffee?
00:10:32 --> 00:10:35 Let's talk about it. Hit me up on social media. I'm on Instagram,
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 TikTok, and YouTube at TalkToMeMichelle.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:43 Don't forget that's Michelle with one L because we like to keep it cute, not complicated.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 And hey, if you love what you're hearing and want to support this independent
00:10:47 --> 00:10:52 Black woman podcast and magic, you can drop a little something in the tip jar at BuyMeACoffee.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:56 The link's in the bio and in the description. Subscribe on YouTube.
00:10:56 --> 00:11:00 Share this episode with a friend who really needs to pack up and reclaim their joy.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:06 So until next time protect your peace pack up your bags if you need to and remember
00:11:06 --> 00:11:10 you are allowed to leave anything or anywhere that no longer honors who you
00:11:10 --> 00:11:15 are becoming i love y'all be safe i'm out peace.