First Gen Show is Singing My Life With Its Snark
We’re the experts of our experiences and the best storytellers of the lives we live. When we see our stories not being reflected, we should tell them.
I was born and bred in Nigeria but I’ve been here since I was young. Being a first generation Nigerian-American is interesting because no matter how American you might feel outside, when you step into your home, you better get it together and know who you are. There are certain experiences that most of us can relate to, like the fact that Naija parents have no chill or care about your feelings. And at one point or another, we were expected to either be doctors, engineers or lawyers. In this stereotype is an ounce of truth.
Even me. I’m a writer today but I was told I’d be a doctor since I was 5. I went into college majoring in Psychology Pre-Med. Long story short, that didn’t work out. And I don’t like hospitals.
ENNEHWEIGHS, one of the funniest people I know is my friend Yvonne Orji. When I tell you the girl has no sense? I MEAN IT. Every time we get together, we show out and it’s not our fault. Yvonne is an actress, comedian, overall dope chick and she is also a child of Nigerian parents in America.
She came up with the idea to do a show about her experience as a first generation chica and that is how First Gen Show came to be. She collaborated with two other Nigerian ladies (Chika Chukudebelu and Kay Oyegun) to make this show come to life and the pilot trailer just dropped and I love it.
Watch:
YESSSSS!!! If she don’t come on and sing our life with her words and imagery!
The shady mom, Agatha, is like many of our mamas. I cackled at “What about your daughter? The one with the cross eyes.” WELL DAMB. Reminds me of the time my mom walked up to my cousin and went “OMG you got fat. ARE YOU PREGNANT?” She was. And she just hadn’t told anybody. Shady boots.
I’m here for the afro-centric neighbor too. “Agatha. See that’s the name the white man gave you?” “That’s my Grandmother’s name.” HA! Daddy’s proverbs slay me. “Even in the jungle. The lizards and the chameleon. They’re not mates o.” HA!
And of course, the want/need for us to get married by force.
This is my story and many others will see themselves in this too.
I am looking forward to seeing more of First Gen, and I hope it’s picked up by a network. Our stories matter, and when people say there is no audience for them, we can show them that people of color have driven the success of so many projects that are excelling right now (see: Scandal and Empire). In the same token, you can also see how well Black-ish and Fresh Off the Boat are doing. Then add to the fact that Nigerians are powerful numbers-wise? Yes, this show is overdue.
I am so proud of Yvonne and her team for making this happen and I’m ready to support this. If you like what you see so far, check out the First Gen Show website, subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@FirstGenShow).
NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST! Yvonne, may you prosper in all your endeavors, my sista! I’m rooting for you and this project!
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17 Comments
I saw this over at Shadow and Act, and I can’t wait to give it a chance.
I love this! I will definitely watch WHEN it’s picked up. Well done and so funny!
I need to know the outcome of the Lion telling the tortoise something about the mongrels they’ll meet along the way. It’s killing me.
I will watch this. Make it so.
I have now words! This is so on point, I’m not Nigerian, but I am African… think all African parents are the same! Loved this!
But why she know my life though?!?
I HOPE this thing gets picked up! I’m ready and here for this!
I am not African but My mother is most definitely like Agatha. The time she told some man she knew from work that we were going to mall so he could meet me. That didn’t go well. I will be watching!
Yvonne is my college roommate and hilarious… love her to pieces!!!. So proud of her…
Following because it looks funny and the world need more diverse voices on our screens.
I saw this yesterday and was CACKLING in my office!! My Nigerian side of the family still doesn’t understand what I do (I work in public health advocacy) because I’m not a physical therapist (me and those chem prerequisites were NOT friends). I can feel their disappointment from across the ocean. #kanyeshrug’o. Mama Agatha=my mother AND my auntie. Real G’s throw shade every day! And now that 3 out of the four cousins are married/preggo/egnaged…I know team shady is about to come for me and my sisters. I’m not ready!! Basically, these four minutes just gave me life, and I will LIIIIIVVVVEEE for this show!
I’m married to a first gen Nigerian and this was pretty spot on. His parents had some issues when 3 of their 4 kids did nothing in a medical field. One did go on to get her doctorate but neither sister has gotten married and his mother is so concerned about it all the time.
I’m excited to see more!
Yes oo!!! That’s my mother right there! Everlasting shade.
Can’t wait for this. Will be fully supporting
This looks great!
I’m looking forward to it.
Can I holla at her brother tho
I’m first gen Haitian American and I feel like I can relate to all of this. I think it could be a first generation American thing. My Haitian friends and I STAY laughing about how “disappointed” our parents are that we’re not doctors/lawyers/etc. yet we all have respectable careers!
And I cackled when I read “Being a first generation Nigerian-American is interesting because no matter how American you might feel outside, when you step into your home, you better get it together and know who you are.” because it is so true. I feel like I live two lives – my “American” one and my “Haitian” life when I’m home. :DDDD
Listen…I’m a first gen Trini American and this trailer spoke VOLUMES to me lolol! Especially when the mothers were sitting having tea and bragging about their kids. All forgeigners love to do is brag about what their kids do. I went down to ATL to visit my fam and this random lady walks up to me during a gathering and tells me my whole life story. How does she know, you ask? Oh, my Trini mother told her -__-
My son’s friend in high school was first-gen Nigerian. When I was over to visit their house, it was EXACTLY like watching this show unfold in real life. There is an audience for this!
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I know I’m late o! But you gotta know that we French people were so here for this show. Even if it’s in America! We relate so much and are si glad to hear our story told!