Amandla Thomas-Johnson is a journalist and writer based in London, with interests in global Blackness and contemporary Islam. After joining a pro-Palestine protest at Cornell University, she faced an uphill battle. The UK national—known for her unique Cockney London accent—was in an emergency. In the end, she chose to self-deport from the United States. This trilogy of events further highlights the headline-making nexus of activism, identity, and state surveillance in today’s America.
In September 2021, Thomas-Johnson participated in a pro-Palestine rally on her college campus. The protest was part of a broader movement advocating for Palestinian rights amid rising tensions in the region. Her involvement would have dire consequences. Shortly after the protest, she found out that her student visa status had been officially revoked by the U.S. government. The sudden shift rendered her open to danger and dreading her future in the country.
Things got even worse when it came out that Google had shared Thomas-Johnson’s information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This unexpected development only deepened her crisis. The impacts of this action were especially concerning, as it would pave the way for surveillance and targeting of people for their political ideologies. As a journalist who had been covering the U.S.-led “war on terror,” Thomas-Johnson’s work may have drawn heightened scrutiny from federal agencies.
After her visa was canceled, Thomas-Johnson experienced additional retaliation on campus. She was no longer allowed to attend classes at Cornell, thus barring her from the academic pursuits that truly fueled her passions. This extreme action pushed her to go into hiding, as she worried that even the hand of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would extend to her. In the meantime, she was able to stay under the protection of a supportive professor. This refuge provided her with a much-needed and hard-won sense of security.
Things fell apart in a very public and dramatic way. A best friend of Thomas-Johnson’s was recently picked up at a Florida airport and interrogated about where she was going. This incident served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with activism and dissent against U.S. foreign policy. The platform’s goal was to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities experienced by people like Thomas-Johnson. They courageously tread the intersections of being Black, Muslim, and pro-Palestinian activists in an increasingly hostile political environment.
Looking back on her experience, Thomas-Johnson remembered a discussion she had with Joe, her Black barber. He sternly chastised her, “You ain’t nothing but Black.” This powerfully written testimony drew attention to the complex and layered fabric of identity that complicates her privileged position in society. This lesson powerfully ties into her broader organizing. It brings to the fore the deep systemic obstacles she’s up against as a woman of color.
Ultimately, fearing for her safety amid reports of pro-Palestine journalists being arrested, Thomas-Johnson made the difficult decision to leave the United States. She self-deported from the United States to Canada before moving on to Switzerland. This travel signifies much more than just going to a different city. We follow her as she goes through a deep emotional and psychological awakening, exploring the nuances of belonging and identity.