In between the two.

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