My grandfather, Papa, as I call him, was born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He came to the United States on a full college scholarship. When he left home in 1963, his mother gave him a ring made from her earrings, engraved with his initials. His mother had no money to buy a new ring, so she took it to a goldsmith. He has worn the ring ever since, and it’s not just a piece of jewelry, but a tangible connection to his family and home. One of Papa’s greatest challenges was navigating cultural differences and judgment. He told a story about a boy from his college who asked him if he lived in a treehouse since he was from Africa. Papa sarcastically responded, “Yes, and it even had an elevator. I also traveled to school on a Jaguar.” College was difficult, but his smarts and global perspectives guided him through it. After Papa’s mother passed away, the ring became even more significant. It now holds his memories of her and represents how far he has come. Papa graduated from college, had a successful career as an actuary, and started his own family. He inspires me and everyone around him because of his determination in the most challenging situations. I have learned from Papa’s stories that it’s okay to be different and stay true to your culture and upbringing, no matter what, because uniqueness is valuable.

– Jolie Salem

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant