Defining My Identity

I am Nigerian

My birth certificate does not matter to them

My Yoruba title does not matter to them

Watching Nollywood movies does not matter to them

Singing and dancing to Afrobeat music does not matter to them

Wearing African print does not matter to them

Visits back to my motherland do not matter to them

My skin color does not matter to them

My ancestry does not matter to them

My tears do not matter to them

My confusion does not matter to them

My yearn for a sense of belonging does not matter to them 

Masking my American identity does not matter to them

My loyalty does not matter to them

I am American

My green card does not matter to them

Watching American films does not matter to them

Listening to pop songs on the radio does not matter to them

Wearing western clothing does not matter to them

My American accent does not matter to them

My skin color does matter to them

My tears do not matter to them

My yearn for a sense of belonging does not matter to them

Masking my Nigerian Identity does not matter to them

My loyalty does not matter to them

I am Nigerian-American