Growing up in America with parents from across the globe is eye opening. Culture and traditions are carried from one continent to another, but no one can really gets the struggles that the first generation born African-American children go through. So, in case you were wondering, let me fill you in since I know this all too well.
1. Grades are everything.
If you get anything besides an A... count your blessings and pray to the Lord that you will make it alive.
2. News or nothing.
To Africans, CNN is the best television station in the station. Like, why are there even any others out there?
3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Everything from ice cream tubs to butter bins. It is never ice cream or butter.
4. There is one set volume.
It is called loud.
5. Like really loud.
... I thought you were shouting.
6. What they say goes, even if you don't understand.
You: A what?
Them: Akata
You: OK, no akata in this house!
7. No money for you.
"I cook, clean, and provide. You should feel blessed and pay me."
8. So you find other ways to get income.
Best part of childhood.
9. Do you speak African, like your parents?
Yeah, because African is a language. I've been asked this one, two many times.
10. You learn not to waste anything.
*Finishes all food, even if full.*
11. He is basically the Tom Cruise of Nigerian movies.
"Pawpaw." That is all.
12. No meat left behind.
Really though, do not waste the food. It is no joke.
13. This face is all too familiar.
I make that face back when they say spell out "fone" instead of phone.
14. The saddest truth.
If the puff puff is gone, why am I even here?
15. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
You could never go wrong with good old rice and stew.
Remember that no matter how embarrassing, awkward, or annoying your African parents were, they taught you the way of the world.
