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Felicien
Felicien Bidzimou was born in 1962 in Pointe-Noir in Congo-Brazzaville. Situated on the central western coast of Africa, Congo-Brazzaville is officially known as the Republic of Congo or the Congo Republic. Congo-Kinshasa, the larger of the two Congos, is officially known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the DRC, and was formerly known as Zaire. The two capitals sit across from each other on the Congo River, making them the two closest capitals in the world. By 2016, conflict in the region resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the Democratic Republic of Congo became the country with the highest number of refugees entering the U.S.
Felicien Bidzimou was born in 1962 in Pointe-Noir in Congo-Brazzaville. Situated on the central western coast of Africa, Congo-Brazzaville is officially known as the Republic of Congo or the Congo Republic. Congo-Kinshasa, the larger of the two Congos, is officially known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the DRC, and was formerly known as Zaire. The two capitals sit across from each other on the Congo River, making them the two closest capitals in the world. By 2016, conflict in the region resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the Democratic Republic of Congo became the country with the highest number of refugees entering the U.S.
Felicien earned his teaching certificate and starting in 1985 taught history in the public high school. His teaching position did not pay enough to support his family, so he supplemented it with teaching French at the private school. At the same time, he went back to school himself to study sociology since there was no cost to attend college courses.
Felicien earned his teaching certificate and starting in 1985 taught history in the public high school. His teaching position did not pay enough to support his family, so he supplemented it with teaching French at the private school. At the same time, he went back to school himself to study sociology since there was no cost to attend college courses.
Defending his master's thesis in Congo (Photo courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
Teaching in Congo, 1989 (Photo courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
"As I used to say to many people, those Congos are like twin sisters, and they have the same last name, which is Congo. The capital names, first names: you have Congo-Kinshasa, which is another country, and then Congo-Brazzaville, where I was born. "
"As I used to say to many people, those Congos are like twin sisters, and they have the same last name, which is Congo. The capital names, first names: you have Congo-Kinshasa, which is another country, and then Congo-Brazzaville, where I was born. "
After two civil wars occurred in Brazzaville, there was a change in the power structure. Free speech became very limited; as a social studies teacher, he was even more in danger of being targeted by those in power for promoting unpopular opinions. People were jailed or killed for speaking out.
After two civil wars occurred in Brazzaville, there was a change in the power structure. Free speech became very limited; as a social studies teacher, he was even more in danger of being targeted by those in power for promoting unpopular opinions. People were jailed or killed for speaking out.
Before the wars in Congo, social mobility was possible for anyone with education. But under the new corrupt regime, only those affiliated with the ruling families could get a good education or have the opportunity to pursue higher-paying jobs-- you needed connections and money, or you were excluded from the best professions. This is not what Felicien wanted for his children.
Before the wars in Congo, social mobility was possible for anyone with education. But under the new corrupt regime, only those affiliated with the ruling families could get a good education or have the opportunity to pursue higher-paying jobs-- you needed connections and money, or you were excluded from the best professions. This is not what Felicien wanted for his children.
Because of these limitations, he took an opportunity to leave his country in 2004, first living near Atlanta, Georgia, with friends in a suburb called Conyers. His wife and two children (then ages 10 and 8) stayed behind in Congo.
Because of these limitations, he took an opportunity to leave his country in 2004, first living near Atlanta, Georgia, with friends in a suburb called Conyers. His wife and two children (then ages 10 and 8) stayed behind in Congo.
Running in Atlanta, 2005 (Photo courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
Play audio clip above. NOTE: there is NO VIDEO, this is an audio clip only.
In two stories related to anthropologist Maria Sprehn, Felicien recalls the difficulties he had speaking English when he first arrived. (Click arrow at right to see transcript)
And I remember when I landed in JFK, and I went to the Port Authority. I was so thirsty, I asked for water. Nobody could understand what I was saying. I was saying, "wah-tayer, wah-tayer" until I wrote on an napkin W-A-T-E-R. "Oh, 'wah-der?' -- so now this is another English. [Laughs.] So it was not easy.
I couldn't speak in English, yes. And a funny story, I remember I was working in a factory, it was a factory for chemicals, they were building . . . they were making chemicals for swimming pools in Atlanta, GA. In the summertime they are busy, and I was working on a line putting those chemicals in the boxes and lifting boxes, putting on pallets. And it was so hot in the factory because there was no AC. And I was tired. I'll never forget that. And the lady who was in charge of the lane was asking me to bring, she asked me to bring some boxes, some empty boxes to her, but I didn't understand what she was saying. And I went over to her with lids, the lids we put on top of each box. I brought the lid to her, she said no, and then I went back, and so I was just guessing. And she screamed on me. [Maria gasps.] And I cried. I'll never forget that day.
Despite his education, he didn't speak any English and spoke only passable Spanish, so he struggled to find well-paid work in the U.S.
Despite his education, he didn't speak any English and spoke only passable Spanish, so he struggled to find well-paid work in the U.S.
After a few years working as a handyman and in factories, he met a fellow Congolese man who planned to get work on a fishing boat in Alaska. Together they traveled to Seattle to find work in the fisheries in order to be more hirable for the higher-paying work on the boats.
After a few years working as a handyman and in factories, he met a fellow Congolese man who planned to get work on a fishing boat in Alaska. Together they traveled to Seattle to find work in the fisheries in order to be more hirable for the higher-paying work on the boats.
Felicien in Alaska, 2007 (Photos courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
After a harrowing journey in a tiny plane from Seattle, WA, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Felicien got a job in a fish factory. He worked there for a year before being accepted to work aboard a fishing company boat, more factory-level work that paid much better. On the boat he worked seven days a week, 12 hours a day for six months straight and saved $18,000. During his time in Alaska, it was difficult to keep contact with his family because connection to the internet was not reliable.
After a harrowing journey in a tiny plane from Seattle, WA, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Felicien got a job in a fish factory. He worked there for a year before being accepted to work aboard a fishing company boat, more factory-level work that paid much better. On the boat he worked seven days a week, 12 hours a day for six months straight and saved $18,000. During his time in Alaska, it was difficult to keep contact with his family because connection to the internet was not reliable.
After those six months he returned to Atlanta briefly, then resettled in the Washington, D.C. area. He used the money he had saved to bring his wife and children to the U.S.
After those six months he returned to Atlanta briefly, then resettled in the Washington, D.C. area. He used the money he had saved to bring his wife and children to the U.S.
Felicien knew a researcher from Congo who had connections at Montgomery College. This friend encouraged him to attend there, learn English, and regain the education needed to teach again and earn better wages for his family. Felicien started school in the fall of 2008, and his family arrived in Montgomery County from Congo the following year. During this time he worked two jobs while going to school.
Felicien knew a researcher from Congo who had connections at Montgomery College. This friend encouraged him to attend there, learn English, and regain the education needed to teach again and earn better wages for his family. Felicien started school in the fall of 2008, and his family arrived in Montgomery County from Congo the following year. During this time he worked two jobs while going to school.
Play audio clip above. NOTE: there is NO VIDEO, this is an audio clip only.
Felicien talks about his goals for his education in America. (Click the arrow at right for a transcript)
So the following day he took me to Montgomery College, the Silver Spring campus, where I took the placement test for English. So my English was not where it was supposed to be. [Laughs.] I studied as a beginner at Montgomery College from 2009 to 2013. I studied in Montgomery College. The first semester I took classes in Silver Spring, and the second semester I took many classes over here in Rockville, yeah, English classes. So at the same time I was working. So I find a job in downtown DC. I was working in the afternoon, taking morning classes here at college in Rockville, and I was working in a hotel as a house man -- lifting tables, making rooms ready for the guests. Again, that was my story. [Laughs.] So I met great people here. Even when I finish my English classes. I want to . . . because my final goal was to teach and also to get a higher degree. And after English classes, I registered, applied for a Ph.D. for graduate school at Howard. I was accepted because I had a master's in history, so that allowed me to register for classes at Howard in sociology.
Working at the Mayflower Hotel in 2009, during the time he was attending classes at Montgomery College
Felicien and his family in 2010 (Photos courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
Felicien finished his courses in English at Montgomery College in 2013, then applied for graduate school at Howard University, where his existing master's degree in history (earned in Congo) allowed him to begin a doctoral program. He received his Ph.D. in sociology from Howard in 2020.
Felicien finished his courses in English at Montgomery College in 2013, then applied for graduate school at Howard University, where his existing master's degree in history (earned in Congo) allowed him to begin a doctoral program. He received his Ph.D. in sociology from Howard in 2020.
His children attended Montgomery County Public Schools then went on to college. His eldest daughter now has a degree in management from Barry University (FL). His son is currently working on his Ph.D. Felicien's youngest daughter now attends Montgomery College.
His children attended Montgomery County Public Schools then went on to college. His eldest daughter now has a degree in management from Barry University (FL). His son is currently working on his Ph.D. Felicien's youngest daughter now attends Montgomery College.
Felicien in the Congo during a judo class. He volunteers teaching judo to children in Maryland. (Photo courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
Felicien attended Obama's second inauguration in D.C., January 2013 (Photo courtesy of Felicien Bidzimou)
"So now I'm giving back to the country which gave to me what I got now, and for me, the United States and Montgomery County was the closest part which provided to me and my family things we needed to have our life better than we could have elsewhere."
"So now I'm giving back to the country which gave to me what I got now, and for me, the United States and Montgomery County was the closest part which provided to me and my family things we needed to have our life better than we could have elsewhere."
Play audio clip above. NOTE: there is NO VIDEO, this is an audio clip only.
Felicien talks about which country he feels more connected to. (Click arrow at right to see transcript)
And when people ask me which country do you find yourself attached to. So, I said, it's like you asked the same question to somebody who has been adopted, and you ask that person, who do you like the most, the biological parent or the adoptive parent? Because each of them completed each other, because if you are not born they could not adopt you. If they didn't adopt you, then you don't have the life you have now.
(Interviewer Maria Sprehn): That's a really wonderful way of describing that. There's a lot of people like that.
So I have some background when I came here, but if I didn't get what I had, I couldn't have achieved what I have achieved today. And if I did not get the opportunity to complete the missing part, the part I needed to complete, I would not be where I am now. So thanks to Montgomery County. [Maria laughs.] And I study here in Montgomery College.
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