BOMESI: Triumph of Resilience, Identity and the All-American Dream

By Chaste Christopher Inegbedion

 "BOMESI" is a powerful and thought-provoking literary fiction that follows the remarkable journey of an African immigrant as he navigates the complexities of the American Dream. Set against a backdrop of systemic racism and prejudice, this captivating tale delves into the protagonist's quest for identity, belonging, and acceptance. Through

• Language: English
• Publisher: Padbanque Inc
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9789693292152

Book preview

BOMESI

Triumph of Resilience, Identity and the

All-American Dream

By

Chaste Christopher Inegbedion

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Although its form is that of an autobiography, it is not one. Space and time have been rearranged to suit the convenience of the book, and except for public figures, any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.  Names, characters, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or actual events is loosely coincidental. The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with the author.

©2023 Chaste Christopher Inegbedion

The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated, or transmitted in any form or retrieval system now known or to be invented without direct written permission from the author or publisher. Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book. Either directly or indirectly. 

Legal Notice:

This book is copyright protected. This book is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote, or paraphrase any part of the content within this book without the author or publisher’s consent. Fair Use means a summary or quote with appropriate credit to the author is permitted.

Disclaimer Notice:

Please note the information contained within this book is for educational purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up-to-date, reliable, and complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not rendering legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a qualified professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book. By reading and using this book, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any direct or indirect losses incurred due to the use of the information within this book, including, but not limited to, — errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

EBOOK ISBN: 978-969-3292-15-2

PAPERBACK ISBN: 978-969-3292-16-9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CONCLUSION

AUTHOR BIO

FORWARD

T

he number of Nigerian youths relocating to the United States and Europe has grown over time. The phenomenon is now known as the Japa syndrome. Many Nigerians come to seek success, a better life, a chance at permanent residency, and a way to lift their families out of poverty. However, most of them are unaware of the difficulties that come with migration. If given a chance, the few with friends in the United States who have told them about their ordeals will choose to tread the same path. Their common belief is that they have a greater chance of success outside of Nigeria and are willing to work hard to achieve it.

Bomesi is not just a life account but a recent account of the challenges a young Nigerian faced in migrating, settling in, and building a successful life in the United States. It is an entertaining novel narrating the story of an industrious young man who moved to the United States in search of better opportunities than what his home country could offer. This success story highlights the challenges immigrants with black skin face in a country plagued by racism. Aside from racism, Bomesi also embodies how the author overcame stigmatization against Nigerians, immigration challenges, and pressure from his home country to achieve success in the United States.

This is an entertaining read whose narrative is driven by unexpected twists and turns. The book highlights how courage, hard work, and determination are essential for success in a land of opportunities with a beautifully written story. Bomesi is unreservedly recommended to immigrants and anyone who seeks a better life outside their home country.

PROLOGUE

O

ne of the most significant conversations in Black history, a conversation which most of us have shied away from, is how racism affects both Africans and African Americans. Did slavery affect both Africans and African Americans? Were Africans put through half as much pain as African Americans? Looking back on childhood memories, could you imagine the hurt associated with feeling like your people were erased? How would you feel if you tried tracing your family tree and observed that some records had been wiped clean for many generations? Or that some of our forefathers had their mouths sealed shut with padlocks? Or the fact that many of them were labored to death at sugarcane plantations, with new laborers coming in every week. It feels horrible, doesn't it?

You'll be appalled to learn that even free Africans had also undergone some slavery from their oppressors. In numerous African countries, people were killed for refusing to conform to their oppressors' standards. One of the most popular massacres was the massacre of 300,000 people from Nigeria's Bamidele lineage. The women were also enslaved and assaulted while the men went through strenuous labor at the farms, only for other men to reap the fruit of their labor. Africans were also restricted from moving freely in their own country, especially since many colonists feared Black people. In some parts of Africa, Black people are not allowed their rite of passage.

Restriction of movement is one thing, but could you imagine all the stigma Black people have faced since the slave trade? Can you believe that this misfortune is still present in the employment sector? Racism is a sensitive subject for black people since both Africans and African Americans would quickly agree that people from other races are most likely to secure jobs for roles they are equally qualified for, if not more qualified. While most people who were raised in Africa would often feel like African Americans feel way too privileged while using the race card at every opportunity, such is not the case.

Racism is a long-term tradition that has occurred in Corporate America for decades, and most Africans who eventually move to America with hopes of getting better-paying jobs often don’t realize how deeply embedded racism is in Corporate America. But why would Africans think that African Americans are privileged? Most Africans were raised in poor conditions with inadequate facilities, contaminated water, lousy electricity, insufficient jobs, and many other adverse conditions. Tribalism, racism, and physical assaults also occur in most African countries, with the latest one occurring in Nigeria, where numerous people were killed during the EndSars movement by soldiers of their kind.

Since most Africans are used to ill-treatment from their fellow African brothers, this would probably explain why they believe African Americans enjoy pulling out the race card for no reason. However, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement during the 2020 lockdown has helped most Africans to settle down and do some background research on their African American brothers. The torture and pain that their forefathers went through, coupled with the struggles that many Africans and African Americans face in the corporate world, is enough for anyone to stay angered and never forgive the colonial masters for eternity. Significantly few African and African American men can break past the mold of slavery or occupy some of the most influential positions in diverse industries. But what secrets do they know that are unknown to the rest of us?

In this book, we delve into the experiences of a Nigerian immigrant who becomes more exposed to his people's pain. Aspiring product manager and caregiver Bomesi, who is of African descent, barely keeps life together. About to lose his health insurance and shelter, Bomesi looks to the tech industry as the only magical solution to all his problems. Bomesi finally purchased an online course and spent two years acquiring numerous certifications. But what could go wrong? Angry rival product designers, stolen software, escalating property damage, and an angry lay-off protest, but also one outrageous ride stacked with double-take cameos, timeless throwback tracks, R-rated comedy, and friendships worth cheering for you must see to believe.

CHAPTER 1

T

he rays of the early morning sun seeped through the wooden window, illuminating a sleepy, fair-complexioned, young man. Bomesi stretched and groaned as the loud sound of his alarm interrupted his early-morning fantasy of living the dream.

Bomesi silently cursed the alarm for jolting him back to reality. The harsh reality of doing odd jobs in the city of Oklahoma