Sometimes I get stuck between the two cultures. I feel like if I act more American Im being disloyal to my naija side. I mean I love Nigeria, theres no other country I would rather come from. Ive never really been there, well I had my 1st bday there but I dont count that lol. But despite the problems in Nigeria, despite the negative aspects of Nigeria, I have love for Nigeria thru and thru. The Nigerian in me is the ogbono soup between my tongue. It is every fiber of my being, it manifests it self through everything that I do. There are so many things I love about being Nigerian; I love the food, I love the people, I love how we are the most educated immigrants in the U.S, I love how we stand out no matter where we are.
I call myself an 'American' because its simply my birthright...everything this side of me lacks, my Nigerian side makes up for it. The way I walk, talk and dress all stem from my 'American' upbringing, and I keep my Nigerian values close to me.
Sometimes I feel lost. Like a little fish in a big pond. I know my culture, I know where I come from, no doubt and not speaking my parents native language says otherwise. Its quite embarrasing. Its funny because I can remember my cousin ( who just came from Nigeria) saying that Nigerians born in America are 'fake' Nigerians; we dont know our language or culture and we havent been to Nigeria, thus we are sell outs. It made me laugh because this guy is already heavily assimilated to our culture, if thats what you would call it. When he first came, all he really wanted was "Mackdonoold" lmao, and he tried learning our 'slang' lmao. I wondered who the sell outs were. If we were fake Nigerians then he had to be a fake American...
If I were a Nigerian born and raised in Nigeria, I feel as though I wouldnt be struggling with this so much, because I would have no ties to America. I would see it as just another man's country, and I'm just living in it. I wonder if I would see America the same way. Would I be eager to get to the so called land of 'milk and honey'? Would I feel like coming to America was the only way to lead a happy,successful life? Would I be offended if someone called me a FOB? ( fresh off the boat, no vex na d equivilent of jjc!)
I'm just saying tho..
td
Girl please! You are who you are. If you are a child of God, then that's what matters. Don't get caught up in the mess of it all. You are not a sell out. None of us got to choose or decide where to be born, how to be raised, or speak a certain language. Don't ever apologize of who you are or what culture you find yourself leaning towards more. It is what it is. I call those haters. Who hate on your blessing. So what and why are they sweating you?! If they were really true people, then they would want to teach you more of the language and show you certain outfits, culture stuff etc....right?! That's what the Ghanaians did with me. So they are fake Nigerians to me for not helping a native sista out, their own blood! Nuff said!
ReplyDeletePlease try to be your true self and be a true african. What and who makes up America? If you can answer that question then you'll know that there's no problem growing up in America.
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing is being urself..
ReplyDelete9ja/American/African it aint matter...
nice blog btw.....
@ Lady A I hear u!!! thats true, i feel like its jealousy n i dont like it @ all
ReplyDelete@ mike, Im tryin o!!
@ naija princess thanks, and yea at the end of the day it doesnt matter
I also feel the same way on this. But when I went to Nigeria I felt like alot of my Nigerian family didn't accept me. They accepted my brother because he could blend in and possibly, "more cool". But for me, I guess I acted too American like, and I dont know if it was jealousy or not. Hmmn.
ReplyDelete