Today I interviewed Nyuieko Afua Bansah, the child of a father from Ghana and a mother from Arkansas. Nyuieko is currently in graduate school and is a health educator, working with pregnant teenagers and women who depend on government help to get by.
She has seen both of her parents earn college degrees while working hard to support their family. She says they taught her to be proud of her heritage and to work hard and be independent. "There was no room for excuses," she recalls. "We were taught that you can do anything and that everyone has roadblocks. You just have to get over them."
Nyuieko says that while growing up, she was teased because of her name and because of her father's thick accen . She says when she was young, she fit in better with children of immgrants with roots to Mexico and the Phillipines than with students from the African American community.
What really has impacted her life, Nyieko says, is a trip she took to Ghana when she was 13 to visit her father's family. They lived there for over a month and the poverty she saw was eye-opening and life changing.
Today, she talks about a dream of becoming a philanthropist in Ghana and working with that government to help it understand the importance of helping its poor population, especially women and children.
She's quite a remarkable woman!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Children of Immigrants Carry On Family Traditions
I just returned from a trip to Israel and Italy and learned so much about family traditions that continue from generation to generation - no matter where a family may move. Take for example, the Friday night dinner at my family's home in Israel. The extended families of my cousins join together each Friday night to share food, conversation and wonderful times.
In Florence, Italy, I observed the same customers arriving at a neighborhood bakery in the morning - with warm greetings exchanged and the owners awaiting payment until after baked goods and coffee drinks were consummed.
In both countries, the guests (or customers) were treated with much warmth and priority. The word "honor" comes to mind because guests feel so appreciated and welcomed.
I've heard this from some of the people I have interviewed for the book - that the guests holds higher standing than the hosts. ( I have also interviewed foreign exchange students for previous writing I have done and their top observation of Americans is that they don't eat meals together as often as their families do.)
Children of immigrants bring important family values to America and we can learn a few lessons of our own from them.
In Florence, Italy, I observed the same customers arriving at a neighborhood bakery in the morning - with warm greetings exchanged and the owners awaiting payment until after baked goods and coffee drinks were consummed.
In both countries, the guests (or customers) were treated with much warmth and priority. The word "honor" comes to mind because guests feel so appreciated and welcomed.
I've heard this from some of the people I have interviewed for the book - that the guests holds higher standing than the hosts. ( I have also interviewed foreign exchange students for previous writing I have done and their top observation of Americans is that they don't eat meals together as often as their families do.)
Children of immigrants bring important family values to America and we can learn a few lessons of our own from them.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
There is Strength in Diversity
After one of the people I interviewed said that he had trouble learning American etiquette because his foreign-born parents didn't know it themselves, I bought a book - Culture Smart! USA. I wanted to see what would be said about this country for those who needed some insider tips.
This small book is packed with blurbs of information that include America's history, its customs, traditions, roots to patriotism, work ethic and crime rate along with some travel tips.
I especially enjoyed reading the introduction and overview, which in part, states, "The sheer size and diversity of America can be overwhelming...A nation of immigrants, America has an openess and gernosity of spirit to newcomers."
Sometimes, we may forgot how lucky we are to have so many freedoms every day. There's no question that the following is not said in similar books about other countries: "Legislation and increased social awareness have led to greater equality for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, or disability."
The book notes that Americans proudly assert that there's strength in diversity and that its historical and cultural forces have shaped our deep sense of national pride.
Just pick up any major city newspaper and you'll see stories about our diverse citizens who make this country better every day.
This small book is packed with blurbs of information that include America's history, its customs, traditions, roots to patriotism, work ethic and crime rate along with some travel tips.
I especially enjoyed reading the introduction and overview, which in part, states, "The sheer size and diversity of America can be overwhelming...A nation of immigrants, America has an openess and gernosity of spirit to newcomers."
Sometimes, we may forgot how lucky we are to have so many freedoms every day. There's no question that the following is not said in similar books about other countries: "Legislation and increased social awareness have led to greater equality for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, or disability."
The book notes that Americans proudly assert that there's strength in diversity and that its historical and cultural forces have shaped our deep sense of national pride.
Just pick up any major city newspaper and you'll see stories about our diverse citizens who make this country better every day.
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