One of the realities that communities in the United States ignore or refuse to highlight

Since their inception, the United States of America has been known as a nation created by immigrants — a place where, in addition to the native people, the majority of inhabitants arrived from other continents, such as Europe, Asia, and Africa (History, 2025 and History vault, 2026). Throughout this long period, families immigrating to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream have always brought with them the cultures and traditions of their countries of origin (Hirschman, 2013). Beyond schools, health centers, hospitals, large retail complexes, and supermarkets, community activities in the United States — such as church gatherings, family visits and celebrations, funerals, and baby showers — are primarily organized based on countries of origin (Emond et al., 2011, and Monsen, 2015). There is growing demand among Africans — whose grandparents arrived here during the era of slavery — for DNA analysis, driven by a desire to at least identify their countries of origin on the African continent (Casey, 2015, and Dutchen, 2023).

For those who arrived in the United States as adults, there is a process of adapting between the cultures and traditions of their home countries and those experienced here; however, this is not the case for those who arrived as children — especially those under the age of ten — or for those born here, whose families live and navigate between two different cultures and traditions. This is a genuine issue faced by many young people — a reality that many American communities fail to adequately address.

This motivated me to write this article, since it is an experience, I personally went through. Growing up with two different cultures has shaped me into the person I am today. I am American and proud to be, but I'm also a Congolese by blood, my family's roots come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). My family and I moved here when I was only two years old and have spent almost my entire life growing up here in Texas. Even though I was very young when we moved, my Congolese background has always been an important part of who I am. Sometimes it feels like I have two different worlds that are a part of me. One represents where my family's country of origin, while the other represents where I have grown up and the experiences that have shaped me. I have learned that I do not have to choose between the two. I can be proud of my Congolese roots while also appreciating the life I have in America.

Being Congolese will always be a part of me; I am still connected to my roots through my family. My family, traditions, food, language, and how we treat each other remind me where I come from. One of the biggest things I have learned from my Congolese culture is the importance of family. Speaking French at home, trying to learn other Congolese languages like Lingala, Swahili, Luba; and always discovering other foods (fufu, pondu, makayabu, mbika, mosaka, …) and how to cook them. Family means having people who support you, teach you, and want you to become the best version of yourself. I have also learned the importance of respecting my parents and elders and appreciating the sacrifices that people make for their families. I always enjoy summer breaks when we travel as a family in Kinshasa, the capital city of Congo and spend months there with my cousins, aunts and uncles. Knowing that my family comes from Congo makes me proud because I know I am carrying part of their story with me.

When we moved to America, I was too young to understand how big a change it was. I do not remember everything about moving, but America became my real country, the place where I spent most of my childhood. I grew up going to American schools, making friends, playing sports, and experiencing American life. Almost all of my childhood memories are connected to America. This is where I have learned many of the things I know today and where I am continuing to grow into the person I want to become. Growing up in America has also allowed me to meet people from many different backgrounds. I have learned that everyone has their own story, culture, and experiences. Some people were born in America, while others came from different countries like my family. Being around different people has taught me to respect differences and understand that there is more than one way to live and see the world.

Having to learn and live within two different cultures on a daily basis is no small feat, but rather a heavy burden that young people like me are compelled to bear and submit to throughout our lives. It is true that this allows us to benefit from the positive aspects of both cultures, which can serve as a safeguard against the excesses often associated with the recklessness of youth. There are things about Congolese culture that feel special because they connect me to my family and my roots. Then there are things about American culture that feel completely normal to me because I have grown up around them for almost my entire life. Because of this, I sometimes feel like I am between two worlds. I am American, I grew up here and, at the same time, I have Congolese roots, but most of my memories and experiences are American. I accept both sides and understand that they are both important.

Having two cultures has taught me that identity is not always simple. I do not have to do only one thing. I can be both American and Congolese, and neither side makes the other less important. My Congolese side represents my family, my history, and my roots. My American side represents my identity, my citizenship, where I have grown up, the people I have met, and the experiences that have helped shape me. Together, these cultures have helped me to become who I am. My two cultures have also taught me to be proud of what makes me different. Not everyone will understand what it is like to grow up with a background like mine, and that is okay. There may be people who do not know much about Congo or Congolese culture. Instead of being embarrassed about that, I have learned that my background is something I can be proud of. My differences do not make me less than anyone else. They are part of what makes my story unique.

Growing up with two cultures has also made me think about my future. I want to become successful and make my family proud. I know that the opportunities I have today are connected to the sacrifices my family has made. They moved to a different country and built a life that allowed me to have opportunities they may not have had. Even though I was only two when we moved, I understand that their decisions helped shape the life we have today. That makes me want to work hard and make the most of my opportunities.

As I get older, I also want to learn more about my Congolese culture and my family's history. Since I was so young when I left Congo, there are probably many things about my family's past that I do not know yet. I want to understand more about where my family came from and the traditions that are part of my background. I believe knowing where you come from can help you understand who you are and where you want to go in the future. At the same time, I am proud for being an American and grateful for growing up in America. This is where I have gone to school, made friends, played sports, and created many of my memories. America is the most important part of my life, and I am thankful for the experiences I have had here. My American experiences and my Congolese roots have both helped shape my personality, my goals, and the person I am becoming. In the end, being American and Congolese is not something I see as having to choose between. Both cultures are a part of me, and I will always carry both with me.

I am proud to have Congolese blood running through me, and I am grateful for the life I have experienced in America. Growing up between two cultures has taught me that I do not have to fit into one box. I can carry both cultures with me, learn from both of them, and become my own person. My identity is made up of my family, my roots, my experiences, and the journey that has made me who I am. My story is a combination of where I came from and where I am going, and that is something I will always be proud of.

Every day of my life, I make a constant effort to avoid confusion regarding this aspect of things — regarding my identity — yet within the communities, there are literally no structures in place to provide guidance and support to young people like me who are bearing this burden and responsibility. My experience relates to my family coming from Africa — specifically from the Congo — but how many young people find themselves in the same situation after arriving from Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, and other Asian countries; from Haiti, Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, and other South American nations; France, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, and other European countries; or from Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, and other African countries? This is a matter of public and community interest that warrants an effort to alleviate the psychological and intellectual suffering experienced by this category of young people. It is already recognized by various authors and scientific researchers (Gamboa, 2018, George, 1993, Jaeger, 2019, Nafeesah, 2026, Portes et al.,2009, Valdivia, 2024, and Whang, 2021), yet little effort is being made on the ground

within American communities.

Reference

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2. Dutchen, Stephanie. August 3, 2023. Historical DNA Study Connects Living People to Enslaved and Free African Americans at Early Ironworks. Harvard Medical School. Available at: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/historical-dna-study-connects-living-people-enslaved

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