An African- American man, Larry Mitchell from Indiana has taken the advice of white racists quite literally and started a campaign to go back home to Africa.
With the dismaying rise of racism in Europe and America in recent times, many African-Americans are becoming more and more sensitive to the issue.
Mitchell decided to start a “GoFundMe” campaign to actually go back to Africa. The name of the campaign is Send me ‘back’ to Africa. The idea is to ask the same people who are calling for African-Americans to ‘go home’ to pay for that trip. On the page he wrote, “…you can help make your dream and mine come true… excepting [sic] all donations… KKK, Skin Heads and anyone else with like mind thinking are welcome to donate… Thank you.. God bless you and America… #putyourmoneywhereyourhateis.”
According to the NewYork Daily News, Mitchell started the campaign in the aftermath of the Alton Sterling and Eddie Castille killings when he saw racist messages online.
He said “It kind of shocked me, because we just celebrated the Fourth of July, and to come back the next week and see people saying ‘Go Back to Africa,’
“If you want me to go ‘back’ to Africa, then pay for it.”
So far he’s raised $60 out of his $100,000 for his aim which he kicked off on the 8th of July.
There have been some comments that are fuelled by hate like one who said “you better not come back.” and donated $5.
Another said, “You are an idiot. You are an American, start acting like it. Always trying to get free money, get a damn job and quit being an embarrassment.”
Mitchell also got positive feedback from some people.
Mitchell has actually never been to Africa but says he wants to learn about their customs and culture including their cuisine as he is an aspiring chef.
Mitchell is doubtful that he’ll raise the money, but if he did he would indeed travel even though he has no idea what country he’d actually go to.