I still faintly remember the way my mother carried me as a toddler. She would wrap me in a colorful, African cloth and tie my to her back, knotting the cloth in front. I would rest my head on my mother’s back, listening to her steady heartbeat as it lulled me to sleep. When I try to compare my childhood to a typical American girl’s, I realize each time that I can't, even though I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Most American children didn't grow up watching “Nollywood” films, playing mancala, or eating fufu. Most American children weren't rocked to sleep on their mothers backs. What differentiates me is that though my house is located in the America, I am Nigerian at heart. Growing up Nigerian in America created a few challenges; however …show more content…
All my life, I’ve been encouraged to make good grades and put forth my best effort in everything I do. I feel as though my work ethic is innate, a trait passed to me from my parents. It is said that immigrants work harder to achieve more because they came from less, and I don’t disagree. In my household, we dedicate ourselves to whatever we do. Growing up with this mindset has made me a very hard worker, earning all A’s and only two B’s in my whole career of schooling. I continue to challenge myself by taking difficult courses while giving my time to numerous extra-curricular …show more content…
As a second-generation immigrant, I didn’t automatically fit in, especially in middle school. I was teased for my roots, with the phrase, “African Booty-Scratcher,” and the color of my skin, even by those of the same shade of skin as me. However, I didn’t think a thing of it; I was unaffected by their remarks because of the pride I have in who I am. My culture gives me my pride. It was tough to find my place in society until I realized that I wasn’t meant to just exist in society: I was meant to lead it. I have grown into a leader in my school and in my community, being truly reliable and taking initiative to do what is
An american story is a story revolving around his or her lifestyle, culture and everyday habits. This is about past experiences, accomplishments, and biggest downfalls. I will be discussing not only my biggest accomplishments, but also my biggest failures that I have occurred in life. What will my american story be? Keep reading to find out.
Coming from an Asian background, immigrant parents, and acclaimed second-generation immigrant, I am not only expected to make use of the opportunities I’m given, but I am dedicated to do what those before me could not. That is to surpass what the first generation accomplished and carry the current and next generation into the future. Being raised in an Asian household, I wasn’t forced to become the best in school by “tiger” parents, but was told that you can either make the most of everything and become the best person you can be, or live a lesser life under what you could’ve become. I was given an option. Although my parents did tell me to do well in school and make sure you get good grades, I knew that in order to live a fulfilling life
The very first conversation I had with the one closest to me was an argument. I will never forget it. We were talking about our goals and ambitions in life. When I told him what I wanted to do, I just got the average “Good for you! That’s so great!” response. When he told me that after graduation he was shipping out to Army basic training to become an Airborne Combat Engineer, I didn't give the same response back.
Johnnie, Veronica, Frank et al. do me a solid with all your “knowledge” and “wokeness” step outside your educational privilege and support systems for a minute. I in no place in my post said anything about America being perfect so what you did was hijack a status about the solidarity I feel for the people in my life and in this country who very much will struggle with an intensified troubling life experience in the country to PROVE you have some kind of exceptional wokeness or understanding of America. MISS me with it. No America was not safe for everyone but we just did was extend the people who it was unsafe for. If that’s cool with you then carry on with your bullshit. I have NEVER EVER said it’s a safe place for everyone. I have NEVER
America is like a family for while we squabble on the inside we come together to defeat the threats on the outside.We are now more deeply divided than we have ever been.For some people, it seems as if America will never come back to being united and that we are destined to be driven more and more apart.
Growing up in America, the majority of people are never worried about where their next meal is coming from or how it was prepared. I have personally been spoiled throughout my life always having an abundant supply of food along with a mother that cooked every meal for me. I dreaded waking up at 5am every morning to head off to the chicken house and pick up, at times, hundreds of dead chickens. Taking Food Science 1000 this semester, I now have a wealth of knowledge about food and food science. I now have a greater appreciation for farmers worldwide as their hard work provides billions of families with food. It has shown me that even small family operations, like my family's, still make a huge impact on the world. Before this class I never really
As the son of immigrant parents, I have always wanted to assimilate into American culture. My parents expected me to excel in everything I do, especially in academics. When report cards came at the end of the quarter, I would be ashamed when my parents saw my grades. Every time I got a B, I could see the disappointment on their faces. I would lock myself in my room and think about how much easier my life would be if I was not Asian. I had always hoped that my parents would congratulate me if I completed something, or showed affection when I needed it. My parent’s merciless emphasis on academic achievement made me submissive to their authority.
Living in the United States shaped my character. When I was young my family moved from refugee. In the beginning life was tough getting adjusted to the american life. At a young age I understood that some people looked down upon me because of my background. I had a hard time getting along with other students because of cultural clash. After a while I was able to understand the American culture. My mom was a single parent with six other children and the only place we could find to live in was a neighborhood that was not safe. My mother would never allow us to go outside because she was afraid that we would get in trouble. It was not until college that I was able to understand all I was missing out in the world.
America’s gift to my generation is freedom. Freedom is the right to do what one wants, lives where he/she wants, eat what they want, and choose the religion in which he or she believes in without ignoring or harming other people’s rights. Freedom is an important gift. Freedom allows schools, buildings, and public places to have many types of people; gays, lesbians, Asians, African Americans, girls, and boys. Back when Martin Luther King Jr was alive, their schools were segregated; meaning Caucasian people couldn’t go to school with African Americans. Some of my best friends are not the same race or religion as me. Well I, had the gift of freedom to choose my friends. I have one best friend since the second grade who isn’t the same race or religion
Walking, walking, and more walking. Today is the day that we begin traveling to Fiume to board a steamship to this place called America. My family doesn't have a lot of money so we can't afford a ride to the port. I only have one pair of shoes and they have many holes in them. We've walked for what seems like an eternity or at least to me. Today is very bittersweet. We're leaving the only place I've ever called home to live in a place we've never seen before. IM not ready to leave. I love Italy but I know it is no longer safe for me, my mom, and my dad. I'm only six years old but I'm old enough to know this could be all a lie. What if America isn't so amazing? What if we done make it? What if we get sent back? So many questions and not
Growing up in Ghana, I had heard a lot of things about the U.S. This was a country I had always wanted to visit; my prayer was answered when I got the opportunity to travel there. Arriving in a new environment came with many experiences. Adjusting with food, language and the weather was not easy. With the passage of time, however I have been able to0 adjust and fit it. This write-up therefore is to elaborate on my experiences since coming to U.S.
When I think of the American Identity I think of who we are as a country. From day one we have been fighters and just trying to make this a better place than we found it. Still today we are fighting, not only trying to help our country but to also help our neighbors in need. If you are being kicked out of your own home, out of your country America will bring you in, If you are hungry America will feed you, If you want a future America will educate you. This is the land that will give you a chance in life, to do or be something amazing.If you can’t see that then open your eyes because it is all right in front of you.
Growing up in America, I have always been surrounded by many cultures and different ethnic groups. Many of those cultures differ from my own traditionally. For the first half of my life, I was raised in detroit, a predominantly black city - I had always assumed. My family eventually moved out of Detroit and we moved to Inkster. Inkster was a much smaller city, but it was also a predominantly black city. In 2011, my family moved from Inkster, Michigan to Canton, Michigan. Although the two cities are less than a half hour apart - the cultural and ethnic groups are extremely diverse. While attending my freshman year of high school in Canton I realized, I was a minority there. More than half of the student body, more than half of the community
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I was four, I wanted to be a princess, like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty; except, without the evil step-family and the vengeful evil queen hunting me. I wanted the pretty dress; and let’s be honest, I wanted the handsome prince. By the time I was nine, I was convinced I would be country star. I wanted to be the best of the best, and stardom seemed like the way to do it. With Taylor Swift as my idol there was no way my plan could go awry. Thirteen hit me and I decided I was too grown up for such childish desires, and my plans changed to becoming a neurosurgeon. Today, if you were to ask me who I want to be when I grow up, my reply would be that I have no clue. I can only tell you three things I want to do; the same three things I have to do. I have to remain hopeful, become the best version of me that I can possibly be, and most importantly, I have to pursue my dreams. These are my responsibilities to America.
Studying in a foreign country is an interesting experience of an individual lifetime. One tends to learn a number of things relating to ways of life in a foreign land. Social, political and economic values and aspects are usually different from one region to another. Therefore, through studying abroad one is able to learn different issues about another society such as gender and sexuality issues, social class and race/ethnicity issues. Having come from a developing country studying in the U.S.A has been a great experience personally. This paper will attempt to provide a reflection of my personal experience on studying in the U.S by comparing the history of Angola and the U.S.