Welcome one and all to my Naija Life Part 3!
Today I will discuss “where are you from?” and “who are your people?” This is such a wonderful question because for me it can be answered in many various ways. So let’s get started!
Tennessee
Yes I’m a southern girl. Born and raise, but even here I get questioned if I’m really from Tennessee.
America
This is something that I have to correct people on ALL the time. Why? Well see, there’s a difference and as an educator let me break it down for you…
- North America, Central America, South America
- United States of America
- Let’s don’t forget our brothers and sisters in Canada. TECHNICALLY they are American too. They are part of the
wonderfulcontinent of North America. - OOOOOOH the West Indies/Caribbean they are part of the Americas too!
Ok I’ll let that sink in a bit.
Next up…
Jamaica
Before ANYTHING else I am JAMAICAN! See my roots, my life, my family, EVERYTHING is Jamaica…Jamaican. From the way I think to the food I eat. Confused? Well this is my heritage. I’m first generation “American”, but that mean NOTHING to me because if ANYONE asks “I am JAMAICAN!”
I remember filling out so kind of form in 3rd grade and it had a box. You KNOW the box the “African American ___”. My issue was that I couldn’t trace back to Africa but I could to Jamaica. To me I was/am Jamaican American. An African American was someone whose was born in the Americas and parents were African.
What I needed was this…
See with this I have the option to choose “Other Black (please specify)”. Anywho….such is life!
Nigeria
Now that I’m living in Nigeria I mistaken for a Nigerian all the time. Now it’s not just being mistaken for a Nigerian, but I’m mistaken for a Yoruba woman. Especially when wear traditional wear.
So this is my “where are you from?” and “who are your people?” while living my Naija Life!
Laters!
live. love. teach. travel! 
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