A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

of Liberians emigrating to the United States often mirror those encountered by other immigrant
groups. Among these many challenges for Liberians adapting to life in the United States, key themes
emerged as affecting the entire community. Most critical are concerns about immigration status,
particularly the recent termination of TPS for Liberians. Apart from immigration concerns, many
Liberians discuss a feeling of isolation and loss of cultural identity in America, partly as they deal with
issues of race in America.
In addition, Liberians often discuss the notion of America as a great “equalizer.” One Liberian
academic described the phenomenon this way: “When there is displacement…[t]here is an involuntary
migration. They are leaving a
place of comfort without a plan
and leaving abruptly, leaving
resources behind. When you
do this every person leaving
enters the new country at
the same level. They have no
material assets to travel with,
but there are other assets that
they do travel with that do not
normally get tabulated. These
are immaterial assets such
as education.” 359 This notion
expresses itself in many ways
including through employment
and education, changing gender
roles, and changing age roles,
especially between parents
and children. There is no doubt that the Liberian conflict upended the Liberian social and cultural
structure, forcing Liberians into a new landscape where they must take on new roles. Those who
were in positions of power and influence in Liberia may find themselves underemployed and living in
obscurity in the United States. For those who may have had little opportunity in Liberia, life in the
United States presents a chance to get an education, make money, and get the material things that
were available only to the very few in Liberia. One interviewee reported:
Coming to America used to be reserved for the elite, the city people, or
those with education. But truth be told, the war has brought everybody to
America – I don’t blame people if they feel empowered and equalized. 360
This phenomenon has been clearly observed by community members who have watched gender
and age roles, among other roles, alter substantially in the United States. One interviewee stated,
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Chapter Thirteen