Kenyan Journalist Larry Madowo Narrates Racism Experience in the US
Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo has narrated an incident where was subjected to racism when he arrived in the US to pursue his master’s degree.
Madowo, who graduated with a Master’s in Business and Economics Journalism from Columbia University last month, said this happened in his first week in New York last summer.
“I was invited to dinner at a friend's penthouse on the wealthy Upper West Side. I picked up some fruit for her and arrived at her building carrying a plastic bag,” wrote Madowo.
When he arrived at the house, his friend’s doorman ushered him in through the back door where he says he used a dirty service lift.
“The front desk sent me through an open courtyard to the back of the building, past residents' garbage bags and into a surprisingly dirty lift. When I got off upstairs, my host opened the door mortified, all the color drained from her face,” noted Madowo.
Madowo says that his friend apologized saying that "my racist doorman thought you're a delivery guy and made you use the service elevator."
"The incident forewarned me that America may be the land of opportunity for many, but it would still reduce me to the color of my skin and find me unworthy," Madowo adds.
“I have worked in the complicated racial hierarchies of South Africa and the UK and have traveled around the world, but it still stung that an American butler did not think accomplished white people like my friend and her husband could have a black dinner guest.
“That early micro-aggression forewarned me that America may be the land of opportunity for many, but it would still reduce me to the color of my skin and find me unworthy,” said Madowo.
Madowo’s revelation comes against the backdrop of violent protests across the US over the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody.
46-year-old Floyd died after the police officer named Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck in an incident that was captured on camera.
“It did not matter that I am from a black majority African nation, people who look like me here have to negotiate for their humanity with a system that constantly alienates, erases, and punishes them,” said Madowo.
“In Kenya, I may disappear into the crowd, but in America, I always have a target on my back for being black.”
Comments (57)
Hey man; you just want the limelight again. First of all I take your story with a grain of salt. Get used to it. Racism is just another color of tribalism. You got used to tribalism while you lived in Kenya; so, adjust a bit and you will be okay. But Change in America is due and coming.
Mr. Madowo, you are RIGHT but you are yet to suffer REAL RACISM! Yours is for starters
@Moses, very, very true. That is not even the "appetizer" in the menu of racism. Hiyo sio hata kionjo.
They must have thought you were African American. They don’t trust each other.
You are an idiot. Why do you assume the doorman is Black? It is NY where you’ll find every variety of Black and all are judged the same. Being an African means nothing here.
At times the way you carry yourself influences how people perceive you. How were you dressed? How were you talking? Don't jump to conclusions.
youre not only wrong youre naive. this is a reckless shit statement.
It is a shame to use a one-off event to make general statements about race and "being a target".One must distinguish between "cultural differences/experiences" and racism especially when in a new environment.I am sure my brother would expect that since he is at Columbia university that "people should notice and give way". That is a juvenile Kenyan small brain thinking.Nobody cares about your school except your mother/father/girlfriend maybe!The value system is different and for most Kenyans they equate it to "discrimination/racism".In Kenya students stand up when a teacher walks into a class- in the US teachers/professors stand and holds the door for students- they hold a chair for students to sit black/brown/white and that is the culture.I read someone say they "washed dishes" and yet had "degrees" nonsense- all students/black/white/brown work their rear ends off to finance their studies (my friend on scholarship) may not realize the generosity of the American society that gives a scholarship to a "Kenyan bright fool" and forces an American child to work at night to pay his/her fees- Madowo guy thinks he is special because he has scholarship instead of being grateful.Is there racism based on color- maybe but it is rare- in most cases it is just the same way i will feel "lost" the first time i land in Mombasa- I was Kiswahili bullied with everyone asking me to repeat myself every time i spoke with my "Beringo" accent.Let us be honest- A black child in America starts at mile 40th in a 46mi marathon compared to the African black child- A Kenyan black child in America starts at the "finish line" compared to her Beringo friend.Lets be fair and be grateful for the bigger good even as we seek purity.Do not use such words as "target on my back" especially if you lived in NY CITY the most diverse/liberal city in America. You are not a "witness" to racism but an ingrate.Anyone who arrives in America on scholarship soon realizes how blessed they are because even if you were a star in your little village you are nowhere superior to other students especially Americans who must pay their way to support your "free ride"- you almost feel guilty and always reminded to give thanks rather than rant and call people racists.
I literally forgot this Jaluo is on scholarship.
I know Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Accountants, Financial advisors.. name it.
Born in Kenya living in America had to wipe shit in nursing homes, had to work in mental retardation homes(by the way one of the best jobs to do while you are beginning college
Haters like you 10X don't live long; and if they do: they continue to Live in Hell here on Earth. And when they die: They burn begging Lazarus (Madowo in Heaven) for Fingerdrops of water (on to their hitherto Domokali tongues).
I totally forgot that Jaluo was on Scholarship.
Most Kenyans going to college or University don't even live at their rented apartments.
They live in their job sites...
The trunk of their cars full of clothes, jumping from one job to the next.
Juggling btw paying bills and maintaining good GPA's.
You work in Nursing homes wiping shit, being shitted on by old white racist clients, rude and nasty family members....as if that's not enough, you get stuck on a shift with a nurse that thinks his/her shit don't stink.
All while back in Kenya, family members need financial help or just mere handouts.
All while back in Kenya they think money grow on trees.
This Jaluo has the audacity to open "it's" mouth whining and bitching the door man didn't roll out a red carpet.
Bet that Bitch had a pussy that stunk worse than the damn elevator.
On the same token this the same Jaluo that grew up on the shores of Lake Victoria...and if you just woke up from a coma, the stench of fish slither every inch of that region.
I hear that stench never leaves them and chances are that's the filthy aroma that was emanating from the Jaluo and hence the door man didn't wonna subject the building dwellers to that kind of trauma.
He apologized coz he wanted to keep his job in this hard times you gotta do what you gotta.
Picture that nasty whiff of fish and foreskin in the elevator
Arrrrgggghhhhh....just lost my appetite
Ngai witu mutongoria! Wee 10X niunyuaga Bangi! Nikii waruma mwana wene weee!! Si umuforgive?
He does not know hard life because he has a scholarship! Muohere ndoii!
Definitely a tribal lunatic here. What is your diagnosis schizophrenic??
Thank you Francis
My brother Francis, I really like your comment it was well put. The perspective was as clear as snow. I have lived and worked in America for many years Mr. Madowo is just ignorant and naive you put him where he belongs and I think he must be licking his wounds wherever he is. Good job!
We seem to be picking on even insignificant issues as racism and that has created suspicion based on our colours.The fruits Madowo carried (based on his Kenyan culture of being a 'courteous visitor') were automatically a delivery to the eyes of the butler, and the only way to deliver the fruits and the deliverer to the hosts was through the usual service lift(used by all colour delivery).
He never mentioned that he should be privileged because of his education. Your comprehension skills are beyond shocking. The problem is the doorman quickly assumed that Larry was a delivery man without even asking simply because a black person in any situation is looked down upon as a servant. I assume you are white and that explains your point.
this guy is an idiot! he been in america for a few months and now he is an expert on racism in America.. i remember seeing a story about him on Covid-19 and how he narrowly missed it and all that, i say nonsense
Oh No you are wrong and this lengthy post by whoever holds no waters... Look at your own backyard kenya and we do the same so as much as we want to blame white people... we too need to fix somethings and let have a healthy conversation... Who paid for his school? Common people and if you were to ask lots of African some do not know what racism is but do but majority from the village can't because even here we do not een get along we still hang out in our tribal sect... But you blame a whitemen... I am defending them but let not fuel a fire we can't relate with and we who came to this country for further studies and have succeed can say we are blessed and God Bless America. You see the Luo Man had to bring up penthouse on the wealthy Upper West Side. I know here l go called him Lou man ... i am not tribal but Larry Stop your non-sense and go back to kenya.
Of course, join the bandwagon, apparently those of us who have been here over 15 years or more didn't jump to be victims, who perhaps have not been privileged like Larry to get scholarships to prestigious institutions and had to work and sweat blood to be considered part of the elite and even now we work in institutions , organization and companies that considering us under par even with our elite education Right Larry please write op -eds and insta on how you are bleeding right now. I'm not trivializing yoru experience but boy, please shut up and sit down!
Whats wrong being a delivery guy? I don't think the doorman as being racist. How long has this guy lived in America
That's not new having lived in America for 25 years I see it every day.
Oooooh no, here comes the "mouther" again. This guy is suffering from something I know not. Is it the excitement of being in America? Is it his lurching low-esteem? Is he seeking for attention? Is it idleness? Is it victoriosis mdomokayarisis diarrhiasis taking its toll? Like Sonko, he want to keep being relevant. Doesn't he have somebody who can tell him that even right now, I am facing a supremacist red-neck who for almost two decades, doesn't believe how this dark skinned perfect boy, unlike him, perfects the use of work place technology with utter precision. And six other rednecks resembling Trump can't figure out how I have managed to rise through the ranks in a white-owned dominated facility. Yet all these acts of racism make us stronger everyday. Jamaa yuko shule where students dont have time to exhibit traits of racism. They are busy chasing grades. Fure kabitha.
@MjuAhi - wee tigana na mwana wene! Your first hand experiences are like a big elephant for a small boy, the size of Midowo’s mind. He just want to let the world know what he has not experienced to earn a cheap credit! Wachanq na hii Kihii.
I am standing by for the fireworks...
Kwani he is the only journalist that ever came to US ama?its a bit annoying he is irrelevant right now . Useless and doesn’t mean anything
Stick to the books Midowo!! You don’t even know what racism is all about! You got a freaking big mouth and a small brain.
Why is this guy telling lies!? And talking about something he has never lived through?? Stop it Larry!!!
What is the color of your damn skin Midowo?? You are not representing any African in your confused illogical views! What is eating you inside because you are not talking with bitterness and a lot of insecurities! Please stop lying over situations you do not understand! We are doomed if Midowo is the boy to represent our views and experiences!
Kimdomo at it again...
Huyu yuko na dimonic mouth bila fikira. Sasa Nani a likuuliza wewe Midowo? Who would be prejudiced against you as a poor foreign student in America? Your F1 visa won’t even allow you to work a dish-washing job in a ghetto Restaurant near DC area or in Dallas where you are currently residing! Wow Midowo, what’s wrong with you boy!!!
George Town University is one of the most open minded institutions of higher learning in America! I went to school there and I loved the diversity and the open mindedness all the across the institution and its locales!
This man is suffering from some incurable sort fear within himself which has become his worst enemy to himself! Are these the type of journalists you guys have in Kenya? I’m a very ashamed of him!
I always wonder why people have to reply na “mchongowano.” Is it possible to reply to a post politely instead of always belittling or condescending? The man simply expressed his experience...
Which experience if any??? I wonder you know what you are talking about!
5 minutes of fame granted! Seems you itch to gain cheap publicity. Learn to deal with it like most of us and we've lived here longer than you!
5 minutes of fame granted! Seems you itch to gain cheap publicity. Learn to deal with it like most of us and we've lived here longer than you!
Give Mamamadododowowo a break!!
It's the same like when Jeff Koinange met Michael Joseph and the late Bob Collymore for the first time. Jeff said, "give this man (Collymore) a cup of coffee. Is he your driver?" Just because Collymore was black, Jeff wrote him off as a driver. That's black to black racism. Happens a lot because lots of black people do blue collar jobs. I blame low levels of education in black communities.
“Low levels of education on black people?” So Midowo is now white to bring him in the Micheal Joseph situation!
Midowo’s thought process has always been mediocre at best. He is not a guy to see things through the right lens of events! He is very consumed by himself alone, and inside himself! He has not gained anything positive since he managed to travel a little further than the luoland!
Now Midowo will claim you likened him to Bob Colymore! He will even go to JKL show and tell him how you said he looks like Bob!
Midowo is a good Journalist by any standards. His narrated an incident (but did not claim to be an expert on the subject). His doing what any other Journalist out there does. What exactly is the issue here?
Some of you who have aired their views have been to American and some have not.Somebody in a previous comment just mentioned Micro-aggression which is really major in America whether done intentionally or not, whether interpretted normal or not.Anybody talking about racism in America should cleary understand its history before making any comments or criticising another person's experience.Generally in America you don't expect anyone to recognise your education or whatever else you have.It is a land where you mind your own bussiness and put up with some traditions that have existed for years.This is not to say that you should allow others to run over you but you co-exist in mutual respect for one another.I wish people who comment here could keep their comments respectful because you could be the next person to go to America and narrate your own experience.
We are already in America, most of us for decades and that qualifies us to critique nonsense when we see it. What our brothers and sisters are protesting about none of us have experienced as much- the systematic /institutionalized racism that has affected generations upon generations. So yes Larry need to shut the F up and trivializing this situation for his 5 seconds of African racism experience is bs, let real African journalist who have lived here for decades narrate better worth reading stories
Some of you who have aired their views have been to American and some have not.Somebody in a previous comment just mentioned Micro-aggression which is really major in America whether done intentionally or not, whether interpretted normal or not.Anybody talking about racism in America should cleary understand its history before making any comments or criticising another person's experience.Generally in America you don't expect anyone to recognise your education or whatever else you have.It is a land where you mind your own bussiness and put up with some traditions that have existed for years.This is not to say that you should allow others to run over you but you co-exist in mutual respect for one another.I wish people who comment here could keep their comments respectful because you could be the next person to go to America and narrate your own experience.
Some of you who have aired their views have been to American and some have not.Somebody in a previous comment just mentioned Micro-aggression which is really major in America whether done intentionally or not, whether interpretted normal or not.Anybody talking about racism in America should cleary understand its history before making any comments or criticising another person's experience.Generally in America you don't expect anyone to recognise your education or whatever else you have.It is a land where you mind your own bussiness and put up with some traditions that have existed for years.This is not to say that you should allow others to run over you but you co-exist in mutual respect for one another.I wish people who comment here could keep their comments respectful because you could be the next person to go to America and narrate your own experience.
Watu mna machungu kweli. Poleni. Larry won't even read your comments. Kenyamericans rudini nyumbani tafadhali.
So why bring up the words penthouse and wealthy and upper West side? Are we supposed to be impressed? Something tells me Madowo is thoroughly impressed by conspicuous consumption and from now on will lead off every conversation with "back when I was in the states". I'm thinking that a year's room and board and tuition at Columbia will run 70k to 80k. How about just saying thank you.
Humans tend to accentuate the differences rather than the similarities so in Kenya we focus on ethnicity and once you get past that, the focus turns to money.
I know for a fact that rich and poor Kenyans don't socialize. As he moves up the socio-economic ladder, I hope he learned something from being treated like the help and treats those not as well off with respect.
total bullshit. useless dude and story.
Kenyan Americans wako nyumbani already. Ama you are talking about which nyumbani? Is it that other country where you have a hobby of changing constitution to suit individual whims? Kenyan Americans, stay in America with all its weaknesses. The other country is not an option.
@10x @@@@@everyone hamjambo
...sasa tunaongea mambo ya racism in america ...na huyu mjamaaaaa madowa dowa madowa..
have you tasted gossip and harrasement from our own kenyan in diaspora ..
racist kenyans ndio hawa,
the ones who stay on the phone entire night gossiping you
in the morning they meet you and you feel uncomfortable
they invite each other and they dont call you but innocently you think they are on friends list
can you see my name
(outcast) but now am happy
btwn plse lets keep truck of our kids ....ask them everyday how the day was
when u do madoubles its understandable but who is keeping your kids company.
please shower your kids
do there hair
apply lotion
pre teen ----start deodrant for girls waaaaaa buy wipes ata za dollar store ...when on period at school use wipes to take that bllod out ...it smells
when home have a routine stick by it ......if its a lazy day ...get them to shower change to clean pj
brush teeth ...use mouth wash
body hygiene for all
these things i have witnessed as major rejection esp to teens at school
...the mpple start saying yalll yall yall dont shower ...yall yall stink yall yall yall come from shitholes holy where.
lets have honest converstations
remember how we cleaned the msheoes back home ....atleast huku zina survive but polish and wash
lets be us but lets remember some pple na maji hehehehehehe hahahahah
pre teen hygiene both boys and girls....if huna kids and your friends do....have hizi conversation
healing starts within
haki msinikujie........ni ile ukweli na witnes kwa mashule na youth centres ....my nose inajua msudanese na mkenya wako kwa meeting ...
btw hawa watu wetu weupe huoga once a wk ...i know wananuka kaaaa choooo lakini word racism itaelekezwa kwa mwafrika
@nyambura kuja usome hii
Your story is great. I am a nurse and my coworker went to the police, instigated by a nurse. The police did not arrest me, but my job suspended me immediately for the alleged assault. When I saw the Amy Cooper story, I was sad because it was a reminder of what happened to me. Whites call the police on blacks because they can. The black man is found guilty before any investigations. It does not matter what your if there is evidence you did not assault anyone and have no reason to, as a professional. The traumatic experience of racism is real. We must stay positive and keep praying for change.