When I am saying all of this, she is just looking at me and I am seeing water in her eye. So I am saying to her, if I am telling this to you it will be making you to think that I am some sort of beast or devil. Amy is never saying anything when I am saying this, but the water is just shining in her eye. And I am saying to her, fine. I am all of this thing. I am all of this thing, but I am also having mother once, and she is loving me.
Acknowledgments
My thanks to,
The Kagan Fellowship Committee and the Mellon Program for their generosity.
My love and thanks to,
My advisor — Jamaica Kincaid — for everything. Your excitement, motivation, and guidance are much appreciated. Without you, this never would have happened.
My first writing teacher — Patricia Powell — for giving me the chance to explore and taking the time to show me what writing is about. Without you, this never would have happened.
My family — Mommy and Daddy for understanding and continuing to understand what this means to me. Onyi, Oke, and Uch for listening to my ideas (and tolerating my never washing the dishes). Uncle Chi-Chi and Auntie Uju for housing and feeding me for the summer. Uncle Chude and Dayo for keeping me on track with my work. Uncle Amaechi for the jokes and the suya. And to my grandparents and all of my other uncles, aunties, and cousins for their love and companionship.
Simi and Auntie Kaine for believing in me, taking care of me, and helping me to understand what it means to be from where we are from.
My friends — all of you who had nothing but good things to say without even reading a word of what I wrote. Nina for her unflagging support and for editing and proofreading up a storm (it’s finally finished). Ian for being a huge role model (when I grow up, I want to be almost just like you). Adeline, Benita, Elliot, Robin, and Thenji for entertaining my thoughts (stay as you are forever). The Chateau for being there and for dealing with me (burn the videotape). And to Aaron and Ismael because you are who you are to me.
My agents, Jeff and Tracy — you are wonderfully kind and patient.
My editors, Anya and Tim — you are wonderfully kind and patient.
I am deeply indebted to all of you.
About the Author
UZODINMA IWEALA was born in 1982 in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Harvard University, where he was a Mellon Mays Scholar and received a number of prizes for his writing, including the Eager Prize, the Horman Prize, the Le Baron Briggs Prize, and the Hoopes Prize, awarded for outstanding undergraduate thesis. He lives in New York City.
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