The Cage I Built: Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence in Diaspora African Immigrant Communities

In "The Cage I Built: Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence in African Immigrant Communities," Metzger examines the problem of "intimate partner violence" (IPV) amongst African immigrants in the United States. He reveals that IPV is more common than he thought. Writing from his personal experience, Metzger takes the reader through IPV and how it adversely affects African immigrant women. Throughout the book, Metzger takes a more elaborate approach to discuss IPV prevalence, risk factors, and barriers to seeking help. IPV remains a public health challenge globally. Metzger does well in providing more information about an issue such as IPV that is hardly spoken about in African immigrant communities despite its pervasiveness. Research on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has given little attention to the study of IPV or domestic abuse among African immigrants in the U.S. While there are many research studies and books on IPV in the Asian, Hispanic, and Latino communities, Metzger's book is the first on the subject in African immigrant communities in the U.S. The Cage I Built provides an insider's perspective on the problem of partner abuse or domestic abuse within African immigrant communities in the United States. Editorial ReviewMany IPV victims fail to seek help despite the presence of services to support and protect the victims. Metzger provides a vivid description, cautiously choosing his language to make the less discussed topic attract more attention. The distrust of the available community services, cultural and religious factors, and the socioeconomic status of the African immigrants bar them from seeking help. Many women victims are reluctant to seek help because of a lack of trust in the community support systems. The author interestingly identifies a problem that calls for action to help the victims of IPV. The article, therefore, provides more helpful information that arouses a call for action. Metzger provides a detailed analysis of the issue of IPV amongst African immigrants. He presents his points uniquely and uses his own experience to make the reader understand the problem's seriousness. While concluding, the author asks for action, telling men to avoid abusive relationships. He makes the reader understand that IPV is a serious problem than people thought, hence the urgency for a community response. Agnes Fallah Kamara - CEO/ Advocate, Radio Journalist, Author, Straight From The Heart International, INCThe views expressed in that book by Dr. Metzger are still alive and practiced among the African immigrant families in the United States. There is a saying that "you can take people out of Africa, but you cannot take Africa out of them." Since domestic abuse is not seen as a public health or mental health issue in their countries of origin, the behavior is also migrated with them. Changes in traditional family structures, gender roles, and responsibilities are factors impacting healthy living among our immigrant communities. Women report multiple instances of abuse and a sense of frustration. Your book alluded to reasons which some are economic and traditional too Thanks for such contribution to knowledge.Richard B. Oni, Ph. -Director of Services and Training, Progressive Individual Resources Inc.Who is this book for? This book is relevant for: -African immigrant women who are living with an abusive partner and want to learn about resources and supports that are available to them. -African immigrant youth and adults who are perpetrators of IPV and want to change their behaviors and attitudes. -Anyone who wants to learn about IPV in African immigrant communities. -Professionals who work in the human and social services field in African immigrant communities.