In 2014, I am an Immigrant launched the first Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate immigrants and the profound impact they have had on our country [1]. Ten years later, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for the immigrant community by proclaiming June 2023 as Immigrant Heritage Month, and invited all Americans to “reflect on the strength and spirit of immigrants that have been passed down through families and infused in our Nation,” [2].
To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, I bought and read The Shimmigrant, a book written by an amazing Ghanaian American woman, Marjy Marj. She tells the fictional story of Obaa Yaa Sasha, a young woman who moves from Ghana to New York in search of a better life, to support her family [3]. Throughout her journey she encounters obstacles that many immigrants face – from feeling profound isolation and loneliness, to struggling to access the U.S. public school system, to being trapped in an abusive relationship.
Obaa Yaa Sasha’s story truly highlights the courage that it takes for immigrants to choose to leave behind their culture, their loved ones, and their home. This courage is something I can’t comprehend, and I find truly humbling. Because of these courageous individuals, our country is enriched and our economies flourish.
After reading The Shimmigrant, I was inspired to do some research about the Ghanaian culture. Here are five of my favorite things that I learned:
- There are more than 100 languages and dialects spoken among Ghanaian Americans, and these languages can be divided into two main groups: the Kwa and the Gur. The Kwa group is spoken mostly in southern Ghana whereas the Gur language group is spoken mostly in the northern region of Ghana [4].
- Bofrot are deep fried Ghanaian donuts that are commonly sold on the side of the road in Ghana. Typically, Ghanaians eat bofrot in the morning with Koko, a fermented corn porridge [5].
- Sarkodie is one of the most popular singers from Ghana and in 2022 became the richest singer within the country [6]. Sarkodie is “a speed-rapper who confidently amalgamates the best of pop, R&B, highlife and other commercially-appealing sonics,” [7]. Check out his most streamed song on Spotify – “Adonai (Remix) [feat. Castro]” [8].
- Ghana’s top 3 exports are gold, crude petroleum, and cocoa beans [9]. In fact, Ghana is the world’s second largest cocoa-producing country in the world [10].
- In 1961, Ghana became the first country in the world to accept Peace Corps volunteers. Up until the pandemic, Ghana hosted more than 100 Peace Corps volunteers in various parts of the country [11].
As we wrap up Immigrant Heritage Month, I invite you to investigate which immigrant populations are represented in your city. I encourage you to learn about the culture of these groups and support them in whatever way you are most passionate about – whether that be eating at an immigrant owned restaurant or purchasing art created by local immigrants. When you look around, you will see all the remarkable ways in which our communities are positively impacted by those who chose to make America their home.
Let us continue to strive to be a country that not only accepts immigrants, but celebrates them and all aspects of their culture. Happy Immigrant Heritage Month!
Sources:
[1] https://www.iamanimmigrant.com/ [2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/31/a-proclamation-on-national-immigrant-heritage-month-2023/ [3] Marj, Marjy. (2023). The Shimmigrant. [4] https://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-Ha/Ghanaian-Americans.html [5] https://thisafricancooks.com/recipe/bofrot-ghanian-donuts/ [6] https://bscholarly.com/best-musicians-in-ghana/ [7] https://pan-african-music.com/en/sarkodie-from-tema-to-the-world/ [8] https://open.spotify.com/track/6y4nqlHb6WXmHkv3Pa7n3P?si=21f5e5503ac44b6e [9] https://oec.world/en/profile/country/gha#:~:text=Exports%20The%20top%20exports%20of,and%20China%20(%241.27B) [10] https://www.cocoalife.org/in-the-cocoa-origins/cocoa-life-in-ghana/ [11] https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-ghana/