George Washington University’s Elizabeth Chacko spoke last night about the idea that connections forged by immigration can take place on different scales.
Chacko, chair of the university’s Department of Geography spoke yesterday in Walter Hall, and her speech outlined the cultural changes that occur when people move from one geographic or cultural location to another.
The speech was titled “Translocality in two capital cities: Ethiopian immigrants and diasporic linkages in Washington D.C, and Addis Ababa.” Chacko explained why Ethiopian immigration was more prevalent in Washington, D.C. than many other large cities around the U.S.
About 50 students and faculty residents attended the speech, which was part of a geography colloquium series.
Chacko described the demographic characteristics of U.S. immigration of Africans to America. She explained their value to the country and that they are part of the newest stream of immigrants to the U.S.
More than 43 percent of Ethiopian immigrants were highly educated compared to U.S. citizens, which only reached 23 percent, Chacko said. They also had high levels of employment, and one-third of them were naturalized citizens.
Translocality is the flow of people to country to country, and interactions take place on different scales, Chacko said.
Chacko explained the similarities between Washington, D.C. and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, both of which she described as very diverse and political cities.
Her studies showed that many immigrants built their community centers inside the city but lived outside Washington, D.C., where better schools and housing were located.
She added that it was important for Ethiopians to build their communities in Washington, D.C., was because of the city’s symbolic status.
Chacko said what stuck with her was the fact that of the investors who came to the U.S. from Ethiopia, 90 percent invested back in the city of Addis Ababa.
Immigrants tend to give back to the Ethiopian city because of economic reasons, familiarity with the city, social incentives, a desire to help the country and the possibility that one day they may return to their home country or city, Chacko said.
Her presentation showed that people in Washington, D.C. are connected to people in Addis Ababa — through schools and workplaces, not just by the country at large.
Vieux Toure, a first-year student studying African Studies, described the presentation as mesmerizing. He said the most interesting fact was that Euthopians tend to be politically active in both Washington, D.C. and Addis Ababa.
Brad Jokisch, chair of the colloquium committee and associate professor in OU’s Department of Geography, said the colloquium had a lot of support and very good attendance. He said he was pleased that the crowd was very engaged and enthusiastic.
sf339111@ohiou.edu
