Friday, August 21, 2015

Contemplating that Naija Swag



Nigerians.... We're really a special breed. And for America, they know us well. I'm not talking about the negative stuff. Let's just leave that alone for now. What I'm talking about is our intelligence, our ambition, our culture, our music, our food, our family values, our traditions. There's just nothing like a Nigerian. Americans are beginning to take notice too. I can't tell you how many times when someone has told me they know, have a relative that married, went to school with, dated, or have a neighbor who is a Nigerian. Most often, it's positive things they are saying.

I love how those of us who are first-generation Americans can unite around common experiences shared comically by the likes of comedians like Chief Obi and Foxy P. It really does show how strong the culture is. I pray that our generation passes on the values that our parents gave us. Respect. Value of education (in its various forms and fields, i.e., you don't have to be a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, engineer, lawyer; just be excellent at what you do). Structured two-parent married household. Faith in God.

No group is without their failings, and Nigerians are no different. We're not perfect. But I just gotta say that I love the Naija Swag. It's unmistakable. Undeniable. We just got it.