Was race of the petioner brought up in the interview

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I know several Nigerian couples ( white woman / black man ) have had race come up in the interview. How common is this brought up ? I know my husband was asked why he would want to marry a white woman when he could have any black woman he wanted. Do you think that racial difference has any part in the visa process and if it has should it also be allied to other cultures in the same manner ?

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

I know several Nigerian couples ( white woman / black man ) have had race come up in the interview. How common is this brought up ? I know my husband was asked why he would want to marry a white woman when he could have any black woman he wanted. Do you think that racial difference has any part in the visa process and if it has should it also be allied to other cultures in the same manner ?

My fiance was asked why would an Iraqi want to marry a Nigerian? he was told I should marry someone from my country, and he should find a Nigerian woman. How does this prove fraud in our relationship? how is this a reason to deny? SO WHAT IF I was born in Iraq, how is it the CO's business who I marry or not?

Being a white woman, who intends to marry a black man is definitely an issue here. READ what my fiance was told, NOT asked.

Your comments in the previous posts, among few others where not lost in vain. Those of us who care, can relate and want to do good for everyone....still exists.

My fiance and I have first hand experienced this racism and prejudice, by the CO in the Nigerian embassy. So to reply to your questions in black and white (a little joke) YES the racial difference play a big part in the visa process, as well as gender and prejudice in regards to age difference.

Thanks for the wonderful help and advice.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Do you think this is because of a concern for "local custom " or a false sense by the white establishment that they need to protect us from "evil" I know light skin is highly prized there , to the point that my husband was once bragging that " several of his sisters are white" which had me on the floor laughing. They are lighter skinned but by no means white. So following culture are tradition they should give bonus points if the petitioner is lighter skinned.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Do you think this is because of a concern for "local custom " or a false sense by the white establishment that they need to protect us from "evil" I know light skin is highly prized there , to the point that my husband was once bragging that " several of his sisters are white" which had me on the floor laughing. They are lighter skinned but by no means white. So following culture are tradition they should give bonus points if the petitioner is lighter skinned.

being extremely white, almost "transparent", as my kids call me, I would say, "boy my fiance is in envy there!!". I am not sure about the "local customs" being a factor or what role it plays? As grown women, regardless of our skin color or theirs, or where we were born, we don't need their protection from the "evil", which they are presumably protecting us from. Who is to protect us from their evil?

Cultures and traditions are changing everywhere. This mandates acceptance and open mindedness, which is something interracial/cultural couples continue to face. If Nigerians, or Egyptians (for example only) are "expected and required" to marry only their own? then this should be written rule of thumb on the first page of the forms on USCIS website. So we are all clear on what meets their acceptance criteria and what doesn't .

This would save us a lot of heartache, misery, our precious time and so much money!

Edited August 13, 2011 by LoveNigarmostyle

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Am loving these comments here. Yes, I do believe all the comments are true. Most COs are middle aged I would say and still carry that old mindset of white/black in the back of their heads. Africans are disrespected and treated like children at interviews. Talked down to, told to shut up, intimidated, yelled at and certainly discriminated against.

As I said before I don't need the government to protect me from my choice of man. I am an intelligent, capable grown woman to

be accountable for my own choices,here,there or anywhere with anyone.

I have read countless VJ posts of blatant disrespect and belittling of Africans and the same questions of why a white woman?

Clearly, the choice of words in questioning or derogatory comments made by COs, points to prejudice that it would be abnormal if a black man chooses a white woman. The individual gets lost under the blanket of the term "cultural norms" and as stated in previous posts here, has nothing to do with the norms as they are today in modern day Nigeria. The cultural norms are archaic and need to be brought into this century. Culture changes.

I am German and I don't eat Sauerkraut everyday ! ( Pun intended ).

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

being extremely white, almost "transparent", as my kids call me, I would say, "boy my fiance is in envy there!!". I am not sure about the "local customs" being a factor or what role it plays? As grown women, regardless of our skin color or theirs, or where we were born, we don't need their protection from the "evil", which they are presumably protecting us from. Who is to protect us from their evil?

Cultures and traditions are changing everywhere. This mandates acceptance and open mindedness, which is something interracial/cultural couples continue to face. If Nigerians, or Egyptians (for example only) are "expected and required" to marry only their own? then this should be written rule of thumb on the first page of the forms on USCIS website. So we are all clear on what meets their acceptance criteria and what doesn't .

This would save us a lot of heartache, misery, our precious time and so much money!

They are expected to marry only their own so they can stay in their little corner where they belong according to some warped minds. Heaven forbid we intermingle ! Yes, put that in writing on the web sites, not just in a verbal interview. Of course they wouldn't but behind closed doors it goes on and on...

[rodceasar 34]

This is really a great post and topics! Kudos to you for bringing it up and others for their informative replies.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Do you think this is because of a concern for "local custom " or a false sense by the white establishment that they need to protect us from "evil" I know light skin is highly prized there , to the point that my husband was once bragging that " several of his sisters are white" which had me on the floor laughing. They are lighter skinned but by no means white. So following culture are tradition they should give bonus points if the petitioner is lighter skinned.

[dwheels76 5,469]

Well aren't the embassy interviewers american folk (I assume white men and women)? It seems to be more an american white woman/black man thang all over again.

I can attest to the fact they love foreigners and whites here so much so they would love to kidnap you also cuz well america means money to they wicked here. I have had two attempts on me. I no longer go out. I came here for two month visit it is now going on 5 1/2 months. As a ligt skinned black woman no on sees me as a black person but white. Here in my neighborhood I am the "white visitor" and all ask about my comings and goings. I wait in no lines I mean they literally come and will pull me out of line and take me to the front of the line (scary but interesting and no one complains).

I feel letters are in order we need to start a grassroots petition and load up and send to all our senators and congress people. Cuz in the US you scream discrimination they will halt and look and no person in office wants to be seen like they are prejudice. This is blatant bull #######. Let's make some noise people.

I have not filed my papers yet will do that when I return August 30th and personally I will storm the dang embassy if they even hint of discrimination. I don't care if you are white, black, green or monkey tan. You married who you married that is your business. See now you got me mad. we need to alert and protect the ones like me who are beginning their journey and make sure they are legitimately denied like.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

My father in law died immediately after our first attempt and at the second interview the woman ( the infamous Asian lady ) Asked my husband if he was sure that his fater didn't die because he was marrying a white woman. So both interviews had questions about our racial differences. I understand that I am a target I have been mugged/robbed each trip. Conversely when I wolked the street of high school village I am sure the teachers hated it as you heard the children at the windows calling to me.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Do you think this is because of a concern for "local custom " or a false sense by the white establishment that they need to protect us from "evil" I know light skin is highly prized there , to the point that my husband was once bragging that " several of his sisters are white" which had me on the floor laughing. They are lighter skinned but by no means white. So following culture are tradition they should give bonus points if the petitioner is lighter skinned.

It is because Nigeria has the highest rate of visa fraud in the world, so they ask a lot of questions of all types.

[patient2010 93]

Interesting thread........

[Zee Bee 61]

This may be an unpopular answer, but I think that the billing that Nigeria has earned itself as the highest fraud consulate is what brings about the race issue. In MENA countries you see a lot about religion, in Lagos its race.

It may not be fair and people may scream discrimination but so much fraud comes out of Lagos that I feel that, sometimes, the questions are warranted.

I know that people want the government out of their relationships, but once the relationship falls apart, for whatever reason, it becomes the government's task to "send him back".

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

While race may be something they want to poke at there are appropriate questions to ask and ones that are totally inappropriate. Asking if race has been an issues with family members / parents may be ok. Asking if you father died because you are marrying a white woman is way out of boounds. Just because these people are consular officers does not give them the right to treat others like they are trash.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

While race may be something they want to poke at there are appropriate questions to ask and ones that are totally inappropriate. Asking if race has been an issues with family members / parents may be ok. Asking if you father died because you are marrying a white woman is way out of boounds. Just because these people are consular officers does not give them the right to treat others like they are trash.

There is no excuse for the disrespect your father-in-law was shown. God rest his soul. There is no reason for the way your husband was treated with such disrespect when he was at the Embassy.

This is why we are so angry with the existing system, and so passionate about making a change. Yeah, there is a reason for questioning a lot of things about Nigeria. But there has to be a way to do it with respect and dignity. NO one should be treated less than a human being or degraded, as most of the beneficiaries are in this process.

Each of us has a story, some full of pain and unnecessary mistreatment. God be with us!