Why I Focus on the Condition of the Somali Diaspora and not Somalia?

Dr Nuur Hassan- The author.

When I first started graduate school in 2010, I had my sights set on becoming a Vygotsky scholar. I was drawn to his sociocultural theory and the impact of culture, family, and society on individual learning and life trajectory. But a question from my supervisor shook me to the core: Why would I want to write about a dead Russian psychologist when I had plenty going on in my community in the UK? Asks my supervisor- an Englishman himself.

This question shifted my research focus to Somali parents and their roles in their children’s education. My doctoral thesis on this topic eventually led to my first book, “The Role of Somali Parents in Their Children’s Education,” published in 2018. Since then, I’ve continued researching and writing about the Somali Diaspora, culminating in my second book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” in 2022.

So, why do I write about the condition of Somalis in the Diaspora? There are three main reasons:

1. The Diaspora has been Somalia’s lifeline since the Somali state’s collapse in 1991. The remittances and support sent by Somalis living abroad have been key to the survival of many families in Somalia.
2. I believe that Somalis in the Diaspora will outnumber those in Somalia by 2060, making scholarship about this community all the more critical.
3. Few Somali intelligentsia in the Diaspora are interested in writing about this topic, making it more necessary for people like me to step up and share their perspectives.

My contribution to the study of the Somali Diaspora is primarily focused on family, youth, identity, culture, and education. However, many other important topics exist to explore, such as business, politics, and Islam. Ultimately, the goal is to have Somali heritage scholars writing about their communities so that we can build healthy, coherent diasporic communities that preserve our Somali identity, culture, and roots while still integrating with the larger societies in which we live.

We must write about the condition of the Somali Diaspora not just to help future generations but also to sustain the connection and usefulness of the Diaspora to those living in Somalia. This can only be accomplished if the next generation in the Diaspora is culturally, economically, and spiritually equipped to take on the mantle of community leadership when their time comes.

Furthermore, writing about the condition of the Somalis in the Diaspora also helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions about Somali people and their culture. It provides a platform for Somalis to share their experiences and perspectives and to challenge negative narratives that the media or other sources may perpetuate.

In addition to dispelling stereotypes, writing about the condition of the Somalis in the Diaspora can also help to raise awareness about the challenges that Somali communities face. For example, Somalis in the Diaspora often experience barriers to education, employment, and healthcare, as well as discrimination and prejudice. By highlighting these challenges, scholars and writers can bring attention to the issues and advocate for change.

Finally, writing about the condition of the Somalis in the Diaspora can also contribute to the larger field of diaspora studies, helping to deepen our understanding of the experiences and dynamics of diasporic communities more broadly. By studying the Somali Diaspora, we can learn how diasporas form, evolve, and negotiate their relationships with their homelands and host countries.

My ultimate objective is to initiate a dialogue on establishing a distinct field of Somali diaspora studies, and that is why I focus on the condition of the Somalis in the Diaspora.