Dear Mom and Dad,
I don't think you know how thankful I am to you. You left all that you knew. Your village. Your friends. Your family. Your life. You left everything that you knew to come to this country that treats you as thought your life doesn't matter. You were mocked and ridiculed. You've been attacked just for existing. You had to learn this foreign language and I can't even begin to understand how bad you must've felt once you understood the bigoted insults that were thrown at you. You survived and grew. And you did all of this so that we can all have a better life. Thank you.
Mom and Dad, when you're talking to your family back home - please tell them that the American Dream is a myth. Tell them not to spend all of their lives romanticizing this country. Please help them understand their hard work and their strength only can get them but so far when the systems are trying to slaughter them. They have to understand that if they come here, they will make money, but at what cost. We all still poor here. Please inform them. We don't pee on golden toilets and don't wipe our asses with Andrew Jacksons. They are always free to explore and branch out of the world they were born and bred in — but please don't sugar coat our reality. Don't mislead them because you want to look good.
Parents, we have differences. You were raised in Dassilam and Sabi and I was raised on 170th street. You see me as a rebel who rejects all that you tried to teach me, I see myself as an individual who makes her own decisions. Just because I prefer to wear cargo shorts instead of an an African cloth wrapper when I'm in the house doesn't mean you failed at raising me.
Mom and Dad, I think you need to come to terms with the fact that I am just as American as I am Gambian. I was born surrounded by American culture, it's instinctual. You taught me about Soninke culture and no, I have not rejected it. I am absolutely proud of my African roots and I intend on passing them onto the next generation. But. I am just as proud of my American background. Being American isn't horrible just because its different and being Soninke isn't perfect because you think so. You all need to be careful not to become them bigoted bullies you met when you came to this country.
I know. Your upbringing didn't really give you the best chance at being emotional and mentally in tact. You rule with an iron fist, with good intentions — of course. However, your lack of emotional openness will be the downfall of our youth. When our parents ridicule and degrade us and try to stifle our individuality — that is when we turn to harmful vices. When our parents invalidate our thoughts and emotions and do not give us a safe space to learn and grow that is when we reject everything about them. When our parents disrespect us merely because of our age or gender, that is when we turn away from them. Please do better by us.
Mom and Dad. I used to be ashamed of my parents weird clothes and thick accents. My heart used to drop when you were asked to read something because I knew you couldn't. I used to hate being your interpreter because I was only 11 and I wanted to be a child. I was resentful that my mom always had to work and couldn't really be as involved as other parents. Please forgive me. I understand now. I understand how much you sacrificed and how hard to you worked to thrive for your families. You are absolutely inspirational. I can now say with pride that I am a child of immigrants! I hope I can make you proud too.
A million thank you's,
Your coolest kid :-*
