From passports to penalties, the World Cup is as much about migration as it is about football. Join us as we explore nationality, identity, border politics, and the stories beyond the pitch. 

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Sources

The story of the FIFA World Cup trophy

U.S. Denies Entry to World Cup Referee From Somalia - The New York Times

Welcome to Trump’s World Cup, a depressingly angry version of football uniting the planet

Schweinsteiger's Ivory Coast comments spark racism debate

France football heads mired in race row over alleged quotas for ethnic players

Is There a Double Standard for World Cup Criticism?

Hero’s welcome for Omar Artan after Somali’s World Cup dreams dashed | Football | Al Jazeera

ICE presence at FIFA World Cup raises concerns among South Florida fans and activists - CBS Miami

World Cup racism monitor urges FIFA to remove VAR official over gesture

Serbian TV pundit causes outrage with racist comment during Belgium game | World Cup 2026 | The Guardian

Schweinsteiger's Ivory Coast comments spark racism debate

'A World Cup for them not us': Fans' anger at US travel bans and visa restrictions

Kylian Mbappé condemns Paraguayan senator over 'despicable' racist abuse - France 24

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother gets visa to attend World Cup

In this episode of Reflections on Migration, we unpack the passport bro phenomenon: Western men who travel abroad specifically in search of girlfriends and wives. What looks like a simple love migration story is actually rooted in something far more complicated. We get into the motivations driving this movement, the racial and economic power dynamics at play, and the very loud contradictions at the heart of it all. We also push back on the stereotype of the passive Asian woman with data, cultural context, and academic research that tells a very different story. And we do all of this while genuinely holding space for the women who have found real connection in these relationships. This one is thought-provoking, a little uncomfortable, and very necessary.

Love and light,

Khaddija x Lola 

Sources/Further Reading

What is a Passport Bro? | Passport Bros LLC

https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a64387699/what-is-a-passport-bro/

Why These American Men Are Seeking Love In Asia: The Rise Of Passport Bros | Insight

Millennials and Gen Z less in favour of gender equality than older generations | Ipsos.

The passport bros: Western men are fleeing the dating market

Trends in Frequency of Sexual Activity and Number of Sexual Partners Among Adults Aged 18 to 44 Years in the US, 2000-2018 - PMC

From ‘mail-order brides’ to ‘passport bros,’ the international dating industry often sells traditional gender roles

​​Philippines improves in 2023 world gender equality ranking

Sage Reference - Asian American Society: An Encyclopedia - Stereotypes: Dragon Lady or Docile

In this episode, Khaddija examines the history and legacy of the Windrush Generation. From their arrival in Britain to help rebuild the country after World War II to the injustices exposed by the Windrush scandal, the episode explores how policy shifts transformed an invited population into one that was later questioned and marginalized.

Drawing on culture, history, and migration research, the discussion reflects on race, citizenship, and the broader pattern of nations welcoming migrant labor while resisting migrant belonging.

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @reflections_onmigraion!

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Sources

Dispelling the myths: the true story of the Windrush Generation | TORCH | The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities

Who were the Windrush generation?

Windrush Scandal Explained - Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

The Windrush Scandal: An Insider’s Reflection

Amelia Gentleman on Windrush: 'I've felt like an immigration case worker' | Membership | The Guardian

Black Dreams: The Legacy of Generation Windrush | Atmos

Immigration Act 1971

"Windrush Generation" | History | Research Starters

2. Why did we come? | Memory, Migration and (De)Colonisation in the Caribbean and Beyond

Dhaqan Celis — the Somali diaspora practice of sending children "back home" for cultural rehabilitation — has long existed in the shadows. Now, as young Somalis document and share their experiences, a sharper question emerges: Is this cruel, or is it a necessary anchor of identity for diaspora communities?

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @reflections_onmigraion!

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Sources 

Re-education Trips of Somali Children and Youth

Ambivalent returns: Dhaqan-celis and counter-diasporic migration among second-generation Somalis 

Somali ‘rehab’: re-education camps where children are locked up, beaten and abused | Somalia | The Guardian.

By far the worst experience ever. : r/Somalia (Reddit thread)

View of Failed Diaspora | Nordic Journal of African Studies 

In September 2025, your hosts visited Morocco after not seeing each other for four years. In this bonus episode, we talk about our recent trip to Morocco and our experiences as Black women navigating travel. 

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @reflections_onmigraion!

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Diaspora homecomings have become a big cultural movement that has boosted tourism, music, culture and arts in many African countries. However, as this cultural movement continues to garner international attention, it raises questions about diaspora engagement and local populations. In this episode, we talk about diaspora homecoming, cultural tourism and diaspora engagement as a development initiative.   

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @reflections_onmigraion!

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Sources

Detty December: How Nigeria’s biggest city became the world’s hottest winter party destination | CNN

Detty December started as a Nigerian cultural moment. Now it’s spreading across the continent – and minting money

How Detty December Is quietly creating Nigeria’s real estate gold rush

Nigeria: "Detty December" Makes Lagos Africa’s Official Party Capital | Firstpost Africa | N18G

A Guide to Africa's Detty December

Lagos Detty December revenue hits $71.6 million, with $44 million from hotels, $13 million from short-lets - Commercium Africa

When Detty December Gets Dirty: Price Gouging, Burnout Hit West Africa’s Biggest Party - Travel Noire

The Death in Dubai and shady recruitments for Russia saga continues… This week, we continue the conversation surrounding the last two cases covered in the previous episode. How do we distinguish between voluntary and forced migration? What does choosing look like if you are misled towards a specific, detrimental choice? 

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @reflections_onmigraion!

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Death in Dubai: #DubaiPortaPotty - BBC Africa Eye Documentary

Man in Dubai sex trafficking exposé not Ugandan – envoy | Monitor

Uganda: Govt Sends Experts to UAE Over Sex-Trade Kingpin Mwesigwa - allAfrica.com

Dubai party boss 'arrested' for trafficking women with false promises of wealth - Birmingham Live

Jacob Zuma’s daughter accused of tricking men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine | South Africa | The Guardian

TikTok influencers apologize for campaign enticing South African women to drone-factory jobs in Russia - The Globe and Mail

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigns as South African MP over Russia mercenary recruitment scandal

South Africans trapped in Donbas after joining Russia-Ukraine war, Ramaphosa says 

In this episode, Khaddija and Lola discuss two recent instances of African women being lured into questionable and dangerous situations under pretenses. Some of which have turned deadly. Unfortunately, these situations are not new, and are not unknown to us or many living on the continent. The increased use of social media to attract young and vulnerable populations has now exacerbated the dangers of a long-standing and often ignored issue.

•  South African women warned about viral Russian job videos - August 25, 2025, Mayeni Jones, BBC News in Johannesburg

•  South African influencer Cyan Boujee apologises over viral Russian job videos - August 27, 2025, Khanyisile Ngcobo, BBC News in Johannesburg 

  Boss of degrading sex-trade ring in Dubai's glamour districts unmasked by BBC - September 14, 2025, Runako Celina, BBC Eye Investigations

• Death in Dubai: #DubaiPortaPotty - BBC Africa Eye Documentary - September 14, 2025, BBC News Africa

Knock knock…is anyone there? We’re back, and today we’re discussing food through the lens of multiculturalism. We discuss access to food and how it can serve as a gateway to learning about different cultures, and how migration can shape our exposure to different cuisines depending on where we live! 

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected]! Follow us on @reflections_onmigraion!

(We apologise for the audio in the beginning; it gets better as you listen.)

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

1. The intersection of culture and cuisine: How food shapes our identity

2. Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights by Will Kymlicka

3. Branding, Diplomacy, and Inclusion: The Role of Migrant Cuisines in Cities’ Local and International Action by Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi
   

Today’s episode features our first guest co-host and we are so excited for you to listen to an incredible discussion with Samuel Sarr, the Founder of Kailend Farms.

We discuss the work Kailend Farms undertakes in Togo, Samuel’s journey in creating a sustainable agribusiness, food insecurity, migration, and much more!

For more on Kailend Farms!

To get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected] and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for updates @reflectionson_migration! 

Love and light,

Khaddija and Lola

Sources 

1. Kailend Farms - https://www.kailend.org

2. FAO definition of Food Insecurity - https://www.fao.org/hunger/en

3. Wave of increased food insecurity hits West and Central Africa: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148516

4. WFP Food Insecurity in West Africa - https://www.wfp.org/news/west-and-central-africa-faces-deepening-food-crisis-un-agencies-call-enhanced-humanitarian