The kitchen is cluttered with cumin, pepper and bitter leaves. If you start laughing, singing, or communicating in any way, you will choke because spice particles now make up most of the air. It's my living room three times a week when my mother doesn't go to work the day before. This is how my family works. My family encouraged me to live my life in cultural immersion. I helped my mother prepare our Jollof rice dinner and participated in fundraisers until dawn to build primary schools in the homeland. I am grateful to my family, through them I cultivated my early interest in culture, and now I will carry that interest with me well past my high school years. Although I can say that I got a substantial piece from my family, they limited me in my life for too long. Often, because of preformed notions or ideals that my parents had, they would not allow me to explore a passion that I had. Additionally, sometimes I could only pursue a limited interest due to my obligation to watch over my siblings or accompany them in their activities. My parents also expect...