Sierra Leonean football legend Kei Kamara has shared an emotional video tribute to Javits Frimpong, the 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant who was fatally shot in the Bronx, New York, last week. Frimpong was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, 29 October, while on his way to school near East 171st Street and Crotona Place. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to Kei Kamara, Frimpong's story hits close to home because of his own experiences as a young African immigrant in the United States. Kamara migrated to the United States as a refugee in October 2000, when he was a teenager. He later became a US citizen and went on to enjoy a professional football career spanning more than 20 years.
In his tribute, Kamara reflected on his own journey, revealing that he experienced bullying while attending high school in the United States, particularly because of his skin colour, hair and accent. He recalled that some of his Black American schoolmates mocked him for being darker-skinned, having tightly curled hair and speaking English differently from them.
Kamara explained that sports, particularly football and volleyball, became an important outlet that helped him cope with the difficulties and build a future. He found solace in playing soccer and volleyball, which helped him connect with other students from different backgrounds, including Hispanics, Asians, and Samoans.
According to Frimpong's father, Thomas Frimpong, the teenager had complained about being bullied at school just days before the shooting. His father told reporters that the school principal had informed him that two students accused of bullying his son had been suspended. This incident highlights the challenges faced by young immigrants in adjusting to life in a new country.
Police are searching for three teenage suspects in connection with the shooting, and no arrests had been made as of the time of reporting. The incident has sparked an outpouring of sympathy for Frimpong's family, with Kamara concluding his tribute with a prayer for them, expressing sympathy for their loss and reflecting on the challenges young immigrants can face.
The shooting incident has brought attention to the issue of bullying and its effects on young immigrants. Kei Kamara's personal account of bullying serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a supportive environment for young people from diverse backgrounds. The incident is currently under investigation.
Key points
- Kei Kamara shares his personal experience of bullying as a young African immigrant in the United States.
- Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant, was shot dead in the Bronx, New York, last week.
- The incident highlights the challenges faced by young immigrants in adjusting to life in a new country.
