The questions from my last post, which is a must read before you read this one (don’t worry, it’s very short) are: All those who migrated to the U.S. from a different country, if you could go back and tell your younger self what you know now about transitioning, what would you tell yourself? What advice would have helped you? What do you know now that…
There is a romanticization of America that happens before people migrate to the country. Maybe it’s all the TV shows like The Cosby Show and Family Matters, which we watched growing up. Maybe it’s the notion that America is the land flowing with milk and honey. Many people can attest to envisioning some things differently before they migrated. Research shows that transitions are one of the…
You can't talk about Black history without talking about dance. But first, if you didn't read my earlier post on African musicians' influence on Black history, go ahead and do so. Right now, let's talk about dance. Dancing is something that all people have done from generation to generation. However, Black people have played a major role in influencing dance worldwide and continue to do so…
In honor of Black History Month, I want to take you on a short journey of five African musicians that have influenced history.February is Black History Month, which began in the early 1900s in the U.S. to promote achievements by Black Americans and other people from African descent. The 2021 theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.”Black people and their families have been portrayed in…
Being an African immigrant in the Western world gives us perspective on cultures. As much as it has its challenges, there's something fascinating about seeing where you come from through different eyes. It is much harder to notice ourselves from the inside but when we take a step outside, we can gain a broader view. This is one of the great things about traveling and being…
"I’m everything and I am nothing. Nigeria is quietly begging me to remember while America slowly urges me to forget" Bassey Ikpi quotes in her Def Poetry Jam piece. Born in Nigeria and growing up in the U.S., Bassey talks about the pull of living in two different worlds. She remembers her grandmother speaking to her in her native tongue while she is only able to…
If you are like me, you've had someone say something like "I'm going to mess this up" before they start trying to say your name. Many people struggle to call our African traditional names. It can be annoying especially when they don't even try or when they ask you if you have a nick name. It's not enough that you've had to adjust every other aspect…
African marriages! Have you felt that sense of pride when you overhear your parents talking about you and your new spouse? No wait, it’s actually when they talk about you giving them grandchildren. In their eyes, that’s when you have arrived. You can do whatever else you want with your life after that because you have gotten married and you have had kids. This sentiment comes…
Have you noticed that some African parents don’t really consider you a grown up until you are married? The scenario goes something like this:Relative (the one I referred to here): I haven’t seen the children in a long time. What is so-and-so studying again?You: She graduated over 7 years ago, she’s working nowRelative: Oh! What about ehm… the other one… (trying to remember his name)?You: My…
I have to interrupt the Relationship Series again for this post because it’s important we Africans living in America talk about this.The experience of being an African living in America is different from being African American. For many black immigrants especially those who recently migrated to the U.S., it can be slightly difficult to relate to the cause of Black Lives Matter. You might view yourself…