A Cultural Divide

BOOK EXCERPT: Between Two Worlds

   My journey from Ghana to the United States represented more than just a physical relocation. It was a profound shift in the social, cultural and personal paradigms that for more than twenty-five years had governed my life.  This shift was not particular to me but is one that impacts almost all African immigrants.

   In her novel Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes about this shift as her protagonist tries to adapt to her life in the United States. The story follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to the United States for college and must navigate the complexities of identity, race, and acculturation in her new environment. The novel provides a rich exploration of the immigrant experience and the challenges of adjusting to a new home while maintaining one's roots.

   When she began to blog about race, she did not initially plan to take on race. She simply wanted to write about America as an African in America. To write about that odd thing that happened, when a black man and a white woman with tangled dreadlocks got on the bus, and the black man remained standing even though there was a seat next to the white woman. She wanted to write about why people gave their dogs last names and why in supermarkets they said “paper or plastic” and why in the restaurants they said, “Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I’ll be your server today,” with the overbright, overfriendly American smile and the overbright, overfriendly American eyes. It was like an impersonal aerobics instructor, so up-tempo as to be lifeless. She wanted to write about how the expressways seemed so new and well-scrubbed and the brown envelopes so bafflingly important and the sidewalks so clean and the lawns so preened.

   For me, one of the most noticeable difference about my new home was the pace of life. West African nations operate on what some might call "African time." This concept reflects a more relaxed approach to punctuality and scheduling.  It's not uncommon for events to start later than planned or for people to arrive at social gatherings well after the stated time without causing offense. This laid-back attitude extends to many aspects of daily life, from business meetings to public transportation.

   In contrast, the United States places a high value on punctuality and efficiency. Americans often live by the adage "time is money," and being late is generally seen as disrespectful or unprofessional. This cultural difference can be jarring for immigrants, who may find themselves rushing to meet deadlines or struggling to adjust to the rigid scheduling of American life. The pressure to always be on time and productive can be a source of stress for those accustomed to a more flexible framework.

From:  Between Two Worlds