Dear Diaspora Child

it's okay if you only learned about your culture from Google

it's okay if you only read your language at the public library

it's okay if you need books to know your ancestral recipes

it's okay if you've never even set foot on the soil of your people

it's okay if your hips don't sway to those rhythms

it's okay if the food is too bitter for your tongue

it's okay if English is the only language that flows freely from your mouth

it's okay if your wardrobe is just jeans and Ts

it's okay if you only know Shakespeare

it's okay if spice brings you fear instead of joy

it's okay if you understand but can't reply

it's okay if you dread the disappointed stares of aunties

it's okay if small words like Salaam alaykum fall from your tongue like broken bones

it's okay if you spent your whole life shunning it all, only to now want it back

you are no less worthy

it is no less home

Love always,

CB