Yesterday, the hashtag #GrowingUpBlack began trending as a forum for black Twitter users to share formative childhood memories and experiences. Though the hashtag was open to users worldwide, it primarily found traction in the U.S.-- where it originated-- among African-Americans. For African Twitter users with no connection to those markers of a Black American childhood, a continent-specific hashtag titled #GrowingUpAfrican sprung up today.
Since it began trending this morning, the hashtag has been populated by light-hearted tweets on shared parental discipline styles, cultural mores, and recognizable childhood treats in addition to thought-provoking anecdotes on having to deal with offensive stereotypes as a first-or-second-generation African migrant in the diaspora. In the wake of #GrowingUpAfrican's widespread appeal, users have also created offshoot tags like #GrowingUpEritrean, #GrowingUpNigerian and #GrowingUpZimbabwean.
Below, we selected some of our favorite #GrowingUpAfrican tweets from today.
When you heard 'Go and bring the cane!' You knew you were in trouble. #GrowingUpAfrican
— Ama K Abebrese (@Ama_K_Abebrese) July 15, 2015
I used to eat this straight out the can. No milk no water #GrowingUpAfrican #GrowingUpNigerian pic.twitter.com/15B3Ld3tFz— ಠ_ಠ (@BLVCKlamb) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican whenever your parents asked "what did you say?" You're not actually suppose to repeat what you said.
— Queen (@HoopinQueen) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican The main ingredient for African food pic.twitter.com/zlhiV9UPNm— Barry 1⃣5⃣ (@_xxxalxxx_) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican everytime you ask "why" the answer is "because y has a long tail and two branches"
— Jotham and 46 others (@Geotherm_) July 15, 2015
Jollof can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. #GrowingUpAfrican pic.twitter.com/u7WfMmZEHo— Ama K Abebrese (@Ama_K_Abebrese) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican Me: I'm hungry Mom:There's rice in the fridge Me: I don't want rice Mom:Then you must not be hungry pic.twitter.com/LdnXFVVhDD
— ♡osa♡ (@Osidosy) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican "Do you guys speak in clicks?"— Loyan (@loyeeezy) July 15, 2015
Still not knowing if your uncle/aunt/cousin is your actual uncle/aunt/cousin because of #GrowingUpAfrican
— ♕TinuVeli♕ (@TheGeminiLegacy) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican Knowing that there is no "16 & Pregnant". There's only "16 & Getting Shipped Back To Africa To Learn Some Discipline".
— Jackie From Allstate (@AllstateJackie) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican you learn to grow to fit in. From society to clothes meeennnn...— HaPpYnEsS (@jekodsclassics) July 15, 2015
Your parents talk shit in front of you, but brag to their friends about you accomplishments behind you back 😂😂 #GrowingUpAfrican
— ♕TinuVeli♕ (@TheGeminiLegacy) July 15, 2015
When your sibling does something wrong but you are included in the insults #GrowingUpAfrican— Queen Arthur1 (@MyzzKrissygh) July 15, 2015
#GrowingUpAfrican this sugar has been in existence since God knows when #GrowingUpNigerian pic.twitter.com/fpk34ht4Jd
— Glamorosa♡ (@Prisley_young) July 15, 2015
#GrowingupAfrican Grandma: Go and call Ayo, your mother for me Me: Ayo, grandma is calling you Ten minutes later: pic.twitter.com/CFNcJqi97h— JUSTIN (@Layken_Odabo) July 15, 2015
When you ask your parents where you should put something, and they say put it on my head #growingupafrican pic.twitter.com/D2RmUiCU6c
— Abisola (@iamabisola) July 15, 2015
