The web has been shaken for several days by comments from Zeinab Bancé, this Ivorian who tried to break a Guinness record by cooking for five days. Invited to a TV show, she spoke about her origins. This provoked strong reactions from some Internet users. Even if for others there is nothing to worry about, the question of the identity crisis remains raised.
“Frankly, I think that in this story of “she is Ivorian, she is not Ivorian”, we must be able to move beyond that. We are African above all. No one denies their origins, but me, I was born in Ivory Coast, I grew up in Ivory Coast, all my parents are in Ivory Coast. My husband is not Banked. It’s myself who is Bancé. My father is Bancé. I don’t know any other country than Ivory Coast.”
This is Zeinab Bancé’s response to a question from host Willy Dumbo on the controversy over her true nationality.
These words spoken on the show “Willy at noon” on Life TV without filter quickly made the rounds on social networks and gossip platforms, leading to the disappointment of some people. Those who supported the young lady in her adventure and who thought that she was Burkinabè by birth and Ivorian by marriage, did not appreciate her comments. Intended to return to the often harsh messages left in comments on certain publications. One thing is certain, the disillusionment of everyone brings to the surface the question of the identity crisis.
The question of identity for people born in a country where their parents immigrated is complex. For many people born in a host country, cultural identity can be an area of conflict. They are often forced to find a balance between the expectations of their parents and those of the country where they grew up. This situation can lead to a feeling of not really fully belonging to either culture.
Denying their parents’ first homeland can be a way for some to integrate more easily and avoid stigma or discrimination. The problem is that these people can distance themselves from their cultural heritage, which can be a source of inner conflict. These people find themselves torn between the cultural heritage of their parents and the culture of the host country. This can lead to tensions linked to the transmission of family values and the desire for integration.
In this case, Zeinab Bancé clearly noted that she is not denying her homeland, a homeland that she has certainly never visited. Whose fault is it? It’s up to everyone to make up their own mind.
Some may partially or completely deny their original culture to better integrate, often due to social pressures or negative stereotypes. The effects include isolation, frustration, and sometimes rejection of multiple identities in favor of just one. Parents, wherever they are, must make their children understand and appreciate both cultures.
It is not late for Zeinab to visit Burkina Faso, a land of hospitality for thousands of Ivorians. Beyond the boundaries of identity, she is African.
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Lefaso.net
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