I awoke from a long 24 hour flight from Providence, Rhode Island all the way to where we finally landed; Monrovia, Liberia. My eyes were heavier than a 24 pound rice bag. I got off the plane and found my family very quickly. It was dark and it was a misty night. My mom gathered all our suitcases, and we proceeded through the quite small airport and outside to our taxi waiting for us. There were employees running everywhere asking if we needed help. My mom told me to keep walking.
For a long time, I did not know what it meant to be Liberian. Of course I knew I was of Liberian descent since the majority of my family was born in Liberia. I experienced bits and pieces of the Liberian culture and its traditional roots but was oblivious to what being Liberian actually meant until I traveled there in August of 2016 with my family. I was told I was “going back to my roots.” …show more content…
But it’s beautiful, Grand Bassa County is so much fun, and Sunset Beach is wonderful ; is what family and friends who have been there would say. Careful not to offend my wide mix of friends I’d attempt to explain how, as someone of mixed heritage (half Liberian, half Ivorian), I felt uncomfortable going somewhere where I did not know. I felt uncomfortable with what the status quo was, and I wondered where someone like me would fit into their culture. Had my opinions really changed, after my mom already bought my round trip ticket? I’d heard mixed opinions… but what did I really know? Nothing, I admitted, as I’d never