Journalist Plans to Leave United States

Why this is here: Lt-Col Oliver Stokes, Chideya’s uncle, earned a bronze star and learned Arabic but still faced resistance from white subordinates during his military career.

Farai Chideya, a journalist and author, intends to leave the United States and apply for citizenship in Benin. She describes a disillusionment with American democracy following decisions weakening voting rights and a rise in ethnonationalism. Chideya connects this to a pattern of “walled-off excellence,” where opportunities are unfairly reserved for some white Americans, citing examples from her own family’s history and reporting.

She notes that this pattern extends beyond race, impacting women, immigrants, and those with disabilities. Chideya observed this while reporting for FiveThirtyEight, where she met ambitious women in Ohio facing systemic barriers. Her own career, though successful, has included harassment and now faces limitations due to her outspoken views.

Chideya frames this as a broader “Great Migration” of talented individuals seeking opportunities elsewhere, benefiting global institutions. While saddened by this outcome, she believes it presents a chance for the world to gain from the perspectives of those the US has marginalized. The work of envisioning a better future for America continues, even from abroad.