My name is Hellina. I was born and raised in the United States. My parents were born and raised in Ethiopia. They immigrated here to the U.S. as young adults. At home, I was raised with strong Ethiopian cultural values. Away from home, I was just another black american kid. This blog shares various stories and opinions I have accumulated over the years as an Ethiopian American. These views are my own, based on my experiences. Issues discussed are cultural identity, socialization, struggles, relationships, and how to teeter totter between two worlds. Join in on the conversation with me.
So apparently when I was 8 years old I said “when I grow up I want to be a lawyer.” Who planted this seed of information in my mind is still unknown to me. But, nonetheless I have some how managed to pursue the path to a legal career. May 2013 I will have completed … More When I grow up I want to be…
Growing up, my cousins and I always joked about how our parents always talked about politics. We never understood it, we just knew that they would become emotionally invested in the discussions, and they would take sides based upon their beliefs, and certain people that subscribed to similar beliefs always sided together. Whether the political … More POLITICS POLITICS POLITICS
Sometime last year my sister and I were discussing a trip she would be taking, and we were discussing where she would put her things upon her arrival. To put this in context, i’m six years older than my sister, the significant gap in age has caused us to have differing Ethiopian-American Experiences, evidenced by … More Kumsatin —the Wardrobe story
Am I some kind of puppet? I don’t understand. If you want me to say something in Amharic all you have to do is speak to me in Amharic and you will hear me reply back. OR if you don’t speak Amharic you can say, “how do you say ________” and I would gladly tell … More Oh you speak Amharic? Say something!
I often write about issues specifically relating to the Ethiopian American Community. Today I’m diverting to that, to something that affects EVERYONE. When I started Law School, some people asked me if I will practice International Law. Being the daughter of immigrants its automatically expected that I will try to practice international law, immigration law, … More Who’s Next? The fight for Justice.
I need to find the person that has been spreading this terrible rumor. Who is she, and what was she thinking. First of all Ethiopian MEN ARE BLACK MEN TOO. It is probably one of the most annoying things to hear when I hear people say “Ethiopian women only date Ethiopian men”. Who is spreading … More Ethiopian’s only date Ethiopians…??? SAYS WHO?
My parents, similar to most Ethiopian Americans in my generation, came to the United States during a time in which Ethiopia was changing drastically. There was internal warfare as the government was changing and young people joined the political movement. Our parents left Ethiopia during this time, either escaping dangers presented, or leaving before danger … More Where we came from-Where We’re going–failure is not an option
I was born with Coffee in my veins: I love Real Coffee. Not the watered down stuff that most Americans try to pass off as really good coffee. Not the Coffee with 10 scoops of sugar and lots of heavy cream. I like my coffee strong like the Ethiopian farmers that grow the coffee beans … More Coffee
Most Ethiopian Americans, grew up in a close knit community. Most of our parents are close friends, and are referred to as gashe or tia (uncle or aunt). That makes the children of my parents’ close friends , my “cousins”. Most of us have grown up amongst a group of people that we have thought … More You’re Not My Cousin!
Ye Gurage Lij nat Check this song out before reading: http://youtu.be/85aVd7ovKnA This is one of my favorite songs. I feel like it embodies who I am, how I was raised, the connection I feel to my culture. Gurage is an Ethiopian tribe. It is where my Father’s side of the family is from. A majority … More I’m not just an Ethiopian I’m a Gurage Lij
EthiopianAmericanGirl 