I breathe air that seems to smell rich. I drive around without ever thinking about preparing for potholes. I look around and never see anyone suffering or begging for food. I see children dancing and laughing with one another on the playground. And with all that I absorb, I see an opportunity waiting to be seized. Coming from a third world country, where there aren't many opportunities in the whole country, my family was lucky. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay My family and I left the comfort of Ghana and became residents of Kirkland Washington, months before my first birthday. I immediately realized the difference between me and most of the other kids at school. Growing up, I immediately knew I was different or excluded. At school, the kids had known each other for years and being African was not “cool.” However, I was proud of my culture and embraced it fully. Almost every day in elementary school, my mother sat me down and said, “Never forget your roots and who you are, because every other role to play is taken, so be you.” “In retrospect, I have come to appreciate these conversations. During my student years, the young mulinanes of that era had placed me within stereotypical limits. Being African meant I was neither black nor African American, and while I understood some of the reasons, I was shocked when a dark-skinned boy who shared many of the same traits as me declared us different . He was black/African American. I was African. He didn't run with animals in the wild, but I would have. If I wanted to be identified as African American, I would have to proclaim my love for fried chicken and watermelon, because that's what people like. These students, with their ignorant young minds, unknowingly made me understand the struggle to remain an African American in an environment that put a lot of pressure on me to become an African American. At eleven years old, I had to realize that my actions would continue to be compared to these stereotypes. From this self-awareness, I began to create my own boundaries and my own position within this judgmental society in which I found myself. I made a conscious effort to behave in a way that challenged standard perceptions of African Americans. I have continued to prove to myself and those around me that not only are we capable of dismantling these negative connotations about our culture, but we are also capable of elevating our cultural significance. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayOver the years, I have placed myself in several fields, such as speaking to a large crowd and starting my own business that embraces my culture and the spectacular and mind-blowing things of the life that people don't see. Many African children who move to the states at a young age often lose the battle to maintain their African identity and culture. This inability to adapt without complete assimilation has become a barrier between families and friends. Today, as I mature and navigate this world, I draw on my experiences to ensure I understand the importance of intentionally and unashamedly embracing the traditions of my culture..