Did your study abroad change how you look at your identity in any way?
Photo provided by Akintunde
My study abroad experience in Ghana really made me rethink the way I view being an African American. While it was clear how much of an influence West Africa had on African American culture, there are many distinctions to be made. Now, I view being an African American as a nationality in itself, with its own unique culture. We have our own food, music, dances, and even dialects, just like any other African nation. And since each of us is such a huge mixture of African geographic backgrounds, it would be hard for us to trace our heritage back to just one country. I came here searching for some sense of belonging. I definitely found it here, but I also realized that in Oakland is where I truly feel at home.