Personal Narrative: My Personal Identity

I identify as, in no particular order: Christian, Black, woman, Ghanaian-American, and Kwahuman. Naturally, the formation of my identities was influenced by my family. Over the years I have learned a lot about my family’s history, philosophies, and values via assignments similar to this one. However, interviewing my mother with an adult understanding, brought me greater insight; I look back at those childhood stories with new eyes.
My mother’s life experiences and culture colored everything about my childhood: food, music, values, education, clothing, superstitions, spirituality, etc.. When I think about the misfortunes that led to my mother’s emigration from Ghana, I remember the weight of her cast iron scissors that I now have in my possession. Or, I look to my closet and there hangs the outfit she wore on her first plane ride to the U.S.

Until this interview, I was not able to distinguish the root of my mother’s (and consequently, my own) devotion to education. By the same token, I had an awareness and appreciation of the spiritual world long before I identified as a Christian. Also, I share my mother’s belief that the Abrahamic religions worship the same God. Likewise, if given the opportunity, I find myself preferring herbal or natural remedies over medications. As my friends and families can attest to, I must be near collapse before I deign to take medications. Evidently, my mother’s worldview impressed upon my