The American Experience
I am a 65 year old African woman from Nigeria, Africa. I moved to America in my early twenties and my life has been different since the move. Unlike in Nigeria, I had the opportunity to trump gender roles and patriarchy. Women are only suppose to nurture their families and submit to their husbands, whereas the men were the head of the head of the household, breadwinners, and dominant figures. In America, women and men have the right to pursue the same goals, so I did just that. I had the opportunity to study at a university and pursue a career in business. Education saved my life. Furthermore, it is imperative that I instill our Nigerian customs and traditions in the young people, so it doesn’t die. These days children are afraid to be judged by our language, religion, and educational levels. However, these are the same barriers we should embrace. When I first came to America, that’s all I could do. Nigerians are the most educated group of people in America, but that’s not enough. I noticed the newer generations don’t want to commit or get married anymore. Everyone is so caught up in infidelities and social media, that they have lost the importance of unity. I came here for a better life, but it tears me apart to watch my babies tear apart theirs. In closing, I do understand that America is a judge mental country. I didn’t have much money when I lived in Nigeria and my parents struggled to make ends meet, but that was nobody’s business. They made sure I was well fed and clothed. In America, we have to talk and look a certain way so that we can fit in with society. I didn’t care about my appearance until I started to be ridiculed at my university.
Interviewee: my grandmother’s friend