Introduction
Sociology provides a distinct perspective on the multidimensional process of self-understanding. Socioautobiography combines sociology with personal reflection. Socioautobiographies go beyond personal experiences, feelings, and milestones. It challenges people to critically examine how sociocultural institutions, social norms, and historical events have formed their lives. This exercise aims not merely for self-reflection but also for understanding one’s life from a sociological perspective. This entails examining personal experiences in the context of wider cultural trends to see how they are intertwined. The socioautobiography raises awareness of the subtle and overt social factors in one’s life. It is a disciplined path that connects the personal with the social, encouraging people to consider themselves as products and actors of society. Through this paper, I will embark on this analytical journey, connecting dots from my life to the broader sociocultural landscapes that have influenced it.
Background and Context
In West Africa, Nigeria has many cultures, languages, and customs. Nigerian ancestry spans millennia, with each ethnic group contributing to the nation’s identity. Other major communities like the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba have separate languages, rituals, and traditions. Thus, Nigerian culture is a rich mix of music, dance, art, and food that has developed through time, influenced by indigenous customs and colonization. Whether free or forced, migration has always been part of human history. My family’s move to a predominantly white neighbourhood expanded our Nigerian heritage. This transfer changed cultural landscapes, from a region where our traditions were the majority to one where they were the minority. Our Nigerian identity was contrasted with Western culture in this new context. Being Nigerian in a predominantly white neighbourhood made our home a microcosm of Nigeria, a sanctuary where traditions were kept and embraced. Outside, the world was frequently quite different. The juxtaposition presented many obstacles, from little changes like food and dress to broader concerns like identity, belonging, and maintaining cultural integrity while assimilating to the dominant society.
Sociological Concepts: Culture and Identity
According to Traver (2021), cultural dissonance arises when individuals find themselves in settings where cultural norms and values clash with what they have internalized from their background. This is particularly true for multilingual people. Nigerian music played, and the aroma of traditional dishes lingered in our house. When I went outdoors, new sights, sounds, and smells replaced them. This stark contrast between my household and the outer world caused cultural dissonance. Being immersed in two cultures made it difficult to decide which cultural standards to follow in different situations. Balancing my beloved Nigerian customs with the prevailing culture was a daily challenge.
Traver (2021) defines ethnocentrism as the assumption that one’s culture is better. Such views typically eclipsed varied experiences in my encounters. It was inevitable that I would meet people who, possibly mistakenly, considered their cultural standards superior. Ethnocentric views typically neglect cultural diversity. These meetings also stressed cultural relativism—the capacity to understand and accept other cultures. It strengthened my urge to educate and learn from others, creating mutual respect for other origins.
Traver (2021) defines socialization as internalizing societal norms, values, and actions. Growing up in a dual-culture milieu, my socialization was a blend of Nigerian teachings and the influences of the wider community. The values instilled at home are often intertwined with societal expectations. I needed to learn my neighbourhood’s behaviour, communication, and conventions while maintaining my Nigerian identity to navigate my social situation. This fusion created my identity and highlighted the complex relationship between personal upbringing and social influences.
Struggle with Social Interaction: The Dual Challenge of Fitting in and Being Antisocial
Traver (2021) explores identity, social isolation, and group membership. Traver’s views help explain the “outsider within” experience and social identity theory within wider sociological frameworks, highlighting the role of societal processes in affecting individual experiences. Managing my identity in two cultures made me feel like an “outsider.” My absorption into Nigerian culture made me look distant, yet my Nigerian origins helped me stand out in my neighbourhood. I struggled to find my place in both spheres, which caused societal issues. Being antisocial increased solitude. In a place where I felt like an outsider, my reserve sometimes hindered interaction. Confronting cultural differences and fighting the natural desire to retreat were the challenges. My self-concept was largely shaped by the groups I identified with or felt alienated from. The ongoing conflict between my Nigerian origin and my environment shaped my self-esteem. While group memberships may empower, feeling excluded can also lower self-esteem.
Embracing My Roots: Dance and Cooking
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Symbolic Interactionism
My Nigerian background was expressed via dancing and cooking, enabling me to connect with my origins. I expressed and shared my ethnic identity via dancing and Nigerian food. These activities connected me to my Nigerian roots and served as bridges, allowing others to experience and appreciate my culture and facilitating mutual understanding.
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Role Theory
Cooking and dancing positioned me as a cultural ambassador. These platforms allowed me to share Nigerian culture, giving me purpose and identity. This job gave me a feeling of belonging and reminded me that I could affect views and build cross-cultural interactions even as I navigated conflicting cultures.
Conclusion
My dual identity path has been one of complicated balances, obstacles, and deep self-discovery. Embracing my Nigerian ancestry and my adoptive community’s culture has taught me identity resilience and diversity. Sociology has taught me how bigger social systems affect personal views and relationships. This attitude promotes empathy, mutual understanding, and self-acceptance, promoting social integration. Recognizing that our stories are part of a larger social fabric enhances our journey and reminds us of our uniqueness and connectivity.
Reference
Traver, A. (2021). Introduction to Sociology Textbook. Open Educational Resources. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/qb_oers/172/
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