Surviving Domestic Abuse as a Person of Color in a Foreign Country That Has Failed to Consider My Basic Human Rights

When I think about my journey—what I’ve been through, what I’ve overcome, and what I’ve lost—I also think about the future. I think about my grandchildren, the generations yet to come, and what they will learn from my story. I want them to know the truth of who I am and the strength I carry within me, even when the world tried to break me.

In 1997, I came to this country with nothing but £97, a suitcase, and a heart full of hope. But the journey I embarked on wasn’t easy. I fought tooth and nail to create a life for myself, my children, and my future. I worked countless hours, pushing through every obstacle, to build something from the ground up. My story is one of resilience, of surviving hardship, and refusing to let the world define me based on my skin color or my immigrant status.

What Will My Grandbabies Learn?

I want my grandbabies to look back on my life and know that their grandmother—your grandmother—was a woman of strength. A woman who stood tall when everything around her tried to break her down. Despite all the obstacles, despite the struggles, I never gave up. I fought for my life, for my children, and for my future.

They will learn about the sacrifices I made, the sleepless nights, the heartache, and the pain I endured. But they will also understand that no matter how hard it got, I never stopped fighting. No matter how heavy the burden, I found the strength to rise again.

They will know that their roots are not just planted in the ground of struggle, but in survival and triumph. They will understand that every battle fought, every tear shed, and every scar left behind was a part of something greater—something worth fighting for.

Above all, I want them to know that no matter what life throws at them, they have the power to rise. The strength that runs through their veins comes from the blood of a woman who never gave up, even when the world seemed to turn its back on her.

What Will My Son Tell the World?

My son, the man who grew up watching me fight for everything I had, will one day share my story with the world. He will speak of a Black woman who came to this country with nothing but a dream, determined to build a life for herself and her children. He will speak of the times when we faced a system that seemed designed to keep us down, a system that failed to recognize our humanity and our worth.

But he will also speak of the strength and resilience that carried us through those dark times. He will remind the world that my story is not one of defeat. It is a story of survival, of persistence, and of a woman who, despite every attempt to break her, rose again and again. He will tell them about the mother who fought not only for her rights but for her children’s future.

Facing the Unbelievable

My story is not just one of overcoming hardship—it’s also a fight for justice. The abuse I endured was not just physical. It was emotional, financial, psychological—manipulation that sought to break my spirit and my sense of self-worth.

I was married to a man who used his wealth and power to manipulate the system. The abuse was relentless—he used lies and deceit to escape responsibility for the damage he caused, even when the evidence was clear. Despite all the signs of abuse, the courts, which should have been a place of justice, failed me. My ex-husband, with his hidden assets and manipulation of the system, got away with it. The system that was supposed to protect me turned its back on me.

I was evicted from my home with no chance to defend myself. I wasn’t properly served, and my voice wasn’t heard. I was left homeless, penniless, and betrayed by the very institutions I trusted to uphold my rights.

How is this possible? How is it that, despite the overwhelming evidence of abuse, I was denied justice? The simple truth is that the system is broken. The legal system often works in favor of the powerful—those with money, influence, and connections. For people like me—women of color, immigrants, marginalized voices—the system is stacked against us.

A Legacy of Survival and Strength

But I refuse to let this be the end of my story. I may have lost my home, but I have not lost my spirit. I still have my voice. I still have my dignity. And most importantly, I still have the strength to fight for what is right—not just for me, but for my children, my grandchildren, and anyone who has been silenced by a broken system.

Though the world may have tried to take everything from me—my home, my safety, my peace—it can never take my resilience. My fight is not just for me. It is for everyone who has faced the same injustices, for every person who has been made to feel powerless.

And I will continue to fight. For myself. For my children. For my grandchildren. And for all those who have been pushed to the margins and denied justice. My story is not just about pain; it’s about survival. It’s about strength. And it’s about refusing to give up, no matter how impossible it may seem.

The Truth They Will Carry Forward

I want my grandbabies to know that life will not always be fair. It will not always be easy. The world may seem against them, and they may face their own set of challenges. But they come from a lineage of women who never gave up, who fought for their lives, their rights, and their dignity.

If there’s one thing I want them to remember, it is this: No matter what life throws at them, they have the power to rise. They come from a legacy of strength, of women who stood tall in the face of adversity. They are the inheritors of a power that no system, no injustice, no adversity can take away from them.

In the darkest moments, when life seems impossible, they will always find light within themselves. And that light will guide them forward. That light will help them rise.

This is my story. And this is the legacy I leave behind.

I hope you’ve found something in my story that resonates with you. If you are facing your own battle, know that you are not alone. Stand tall, keep fighting, and know that you have the strength to overcome anything life throws your way.