Happy Birthday Nigeria
This morning I told Darling Angel, “Today is Nigeria’s independence day”.
Blank stare.
“Nigeria is where mommy and daddy are from”.
“What about me?” she asked.
“Yes, you too. But you’re also American…”, I realized the explanation will be lost on her. “Do you remember Nigeria? Do you remember when we went to visit your grandpa and grandma and all your aunties and uncles and cousins?”
“Yes. When it’s my birthday can I go to Chuck E Cheese?”. End of conversation.
Image source: gelestyles.com
As Darling Angel and Baby Brother grow up, I wonder how much interest they will in their origin, in Nigeria and the rich culture that I and their dad came from. Like a guy I met at a conference, will they answer “No, but my dad is” when asked if they were Nigerian? Will Darling Angel proudly wear the gele (African headtie) to Nigerian functions or will she continue to call the attire “grandma dress”, believing it’s something for generations past. Will my kids attend Nigerian functions? Will they be confused by their dual identities? Would it create challenges for them, or would it be simply the way things are? Will they learn to speak the Yoruba language or will they deem it unnecessary? Would they be proud to be Nigerian? And what can I do to ease any identity issues that arise from raising my children in the United States, but based on the foreign ideals with which I grew up? I wonder. And I hope it’s not even an issue.
