Diasporadical Nexus
What Is the Diasporadical Nexus?
Growing up in the Ethiopian diaspora, I found myself consumed by a vision of a life that could have been. Like many in the diaspora, my journey to the United States was shaped by circumstances that felt both serendipitous and arbitrary—a lottery. My family’s ticket to the United States came via the Diversity Visa program, a system that made the course of my life hinge on randomness.
Since childhood, I would imagine an alternate reality: a parallel universe where I had grown up in Ethiopia, forged friendships and developed kinship in Addis Ababa, spoken Amharic (more) fluently, and navigated life as a young Ethiopian in Ethiopia. This vision of a different version of myself became a fixation, and I know I’m not alone.
Many in the diaspora live with this duality, navigating the tension between the life they know and the life they imagine they might have lived. For some, fleeting visits back home—perhaps a summer here or a short trip there—offer a glimpse into this imagined reality. But there exists a deeper reconnection, something I call the Diasporadical Nexus.
Defining the Diasporadical Nexus
The Diasporadical Nexus is more than a visit to one’s homeland; it’s a profound, often fleeting, moment of synchronicity. It’s the sudden realization that you are experiencing something you feel you would have experienced had you never left.
It could be as simple as the aroma of buna (coffee) wafting through a traditional jebena, the rhythmic chatter of shopkeepers on a busy street in Addis, or the feeling of the sun hitting your face as you navigate bustling sidewalks.
It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a moment where time and space collapse, allowing you to feel fully connected to a version of yourself that could have been.
How It Feels
The Diasporadical Nexus is a deeply emotional experience. Imagine sipping tea at a local cafe and being struck by the realization: This could have been me. I would have been here. I would have done this.
It’s a collision between what is and what could have been—a meeting point where your current self and your alternate self shake hands, however briefly.
Why It Matters
For those of us in the diaspora, the Diasporadical Nexus offers something many of us seek: a sense of belonging, of wholeness. Immigration often fragments identity. We become pieces of multiple worlds, navigating the spaces between here and there.
But in these moments of connection, we are reminded that our stories didn’t end when we left; they simply took a different shape. The Diasporadical Nexus shows us that our identities are not fixed. They are fluid, capable of spanning borders, time zones, and even alternate realities.
It’s important to acknowledge that not everyone in the diaspora has the chance to experience this kind of reconnection. For many, returning to the homeland isn’t an option—whether due to finances, politics, or personal circumstances.
This is why the Diasporadical Nexus feels like a privilege. Sustained time in one’s homeland offers a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in a life that might have been. It allows for healing, understanding, and a renewed sense of self.