Award-winning Connecticut author Okey Ndibe spoke with community members and Housatonic Community College (HCC) students, faculty and staff yesterday as he discussed his book, Never Look An American In the Eye: A Memoir of Flying Turtles, Colonial Ghosts, and the Making of a Nigerian American.
“For HCC to make my memoir the fulcrum of conversation for the semester is incredible,” said Ndibe, whose book was chosen for the College’s 2019 One Book, One Campus initiative. The shared read experience of this Connecticut Book Award winner and robust related programming was designed to promote discussion of topics raised in the book, creating a deeper understanding of issues we’re facing today.
Originally from Yola Nigeria, Ndibe shared stories to underscore the differences between cultures and the narratives we all carry with us.
“My transition to America was very difficult, and it is still ongoing,” said Ndibe, who arrived during winter 1988 at the invitation of famous Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe.
Ndibe explained that his uncle, a film buff who watched a number of Westerns, gave him the advice to ‘never look an American in the eye because they all carried guns.’ When police were looking for the bank robbery suspect, and Ndibe fit the description, it was this advice that perpetuated their suspicions.
After 30 years in America, and now a U.S. citizen, Ndibe considers himself an American but openly shares his Nigerian experiences in an effort to expand others’ viewpoints.
“We learn when we open ourselves to other perspectives. I’m helping America to change, and at the same time, it’s changing me. When the country is open to its immigrant history, there’s an enriching dynamic at play,” said Ndibe.
Housatonic Community College would like to thank Connecticut Humanities for their support of the College’s 3rd Annual One Book, One College program.