What happens when you're South Sudanese—but you grew up in America?

In Part 2 of our conversation about assimilation, Christine and Sahra sit down with Tariq, Willy, and Janet to move beyond the viral clip and talk about something much more personal: our own experiences growing up South Sudanese in America.

As first-generation and third-culture kids, we've often found ourselves caught between two worlds. We were raised with South Sudanese values, traditions, expectations, and identities but we also grew up surrounded by American culture and had to figure out how to navigate school, friendships, relationships, careers, and everyday life.

So what happens when you're trying to fit in?

We talk honestly about the parts of our culture we've held onto, the parts we've adapted, and the things we may have unintentionally lost along the way..including language.

For some of us, assimilation meant becoming more comfortable in American culture. But it also came with questions about identity:

Am I South Sudanese enough?
Am I too American?
Where do I actually belong?

We also get into the complicated relationship many immigrants have with America. We can recognize the opportunities this country has given us, appreciate the freedoms and possibilities we've experienced, and still have honest conversations about racism, discrimination, stereotypes, and microaggressions.

Can you critique the country you call home while still being grateful for what it has given you?

Can you love America without ignoring its problems?

And can you fully embrace American culture without losing your South Sudanese identity?

This conversation isn't about finding one "right" way to assimilate. It's about sharing different experiences and asking what we've gained, what we've lost, and what we want to carry forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

🇸🇸 Growing up South Sudanese in America
🇺🇸 Assimilation and adapting to American culture
🌍 Being first-generation & third-culture kids
🗣️ Losing our native languages
👥 Trying to fit in while maintaining our identity
🎓 Growing up between South Sudanese and American expectations
💭 Questions of belonging and cultural identity
✊🏾 Racism, stereotypes & microaggressions
❤️ Being critical of America while still appreciating it
💰 The opportunities America has provided immigrant families
🔄 What we want to preserve—and what we're willing to let evolve
👨🏾‍👩🏾‍👧🏾 What this means for the next generation of South Sudanese Americans

This is our experience, but everyone's story is different.

What did you have to change or adapt when you were growing up in America?

Did you ever feel too African for America or too American for your African community?

And what part of your culture would you never want to lose?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. 👇🏾

🎙️ Hosts: Christine & Sahra
🎤 Panel: Tariq, Willy & Janet

#LadiesOfSosa #SouthSudanese #SouthSudaneseAmerican #SouthSudaneseDiaspora #Assimilation #ImmigrantExperience #ThirdCultureKid #AfricanDiaspora #CulturalIdentity #Racism #AmericanDream #Identity

Please feel free to engage and challenge the perspectives, but please keep comments respectful.

Thank you so much for watching! Don't forget to like and subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday!

Peace and love to our Sosa Fam :) 🇸🇸❤️

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