Film Screening: A Ghanaian Odyssey
September 22 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Free
Join the UBC Okanagan Library EDI Committee and the Equity Inclusion Office on September 22 from 12 to 1:30 pm in the UNC Theatre for a screening of Dr. Felix Amoh-Siaw’s film, A Ghanaian Odyssey: Caught between economic uncertainty at home and abroad. Snacks, popcorn, and beverages will be provided.
Having lived and studied in mainland China, Dr. Amoh-Siaw explores some of his experiences and those of other African nationals navigating the Chinese educational system. A Ghanaian Odyssey aims to shed light on the struggles of Black international students in China. The goal is to spark a conversation about the various layers of racism and discrimination that many Black individuals face outside traditional Western spaces.
Dr. Amoh-Siaw is the Black Initiatives Coordinator in the Southern Medical Program and has worked as a writing consultant in the Centre for Scholarly Communication. He is a recent PhD graduate in the Interdisciplinary Studies (Global Studies) program, researching Sub-Saharan African politics, external interventions, armed conflicts, genocides, UN peace operations, neocolonialism and bespoke anti-neocolonialism.
At the event, there will be a ten-minute introduction by Dr. Amoh-Siaw. After the 25-minute film screening, there will be time for discussion and questions.
Film synopsis:
Facing economic hardship and limited opportunities at home, thousands of young Africans are heading to China to study in search of a better future. A Ghanaian Odyssey follows the lives of international students caught in a cycle of racism, imprisonment, exploitation, and economic necessity. They went to China for education but quickly discovered they couldn’t survive without taking black-market jobs, risking arrest, deportation, and losing their dreams. Meanwhile, their families rely on these illegal work schemes for survival. Should they abandon these jobs and focus on their studies, or risk racism, imprisonment, and deportation to support their loved ones? Like many immigrants worldwide, their choices are far from simple.
