I Too Dream America is based on a true story. My aim is to present this culture in a form that informs and teaches you, allows you to make cross-cultural connections, and create the opportunity for you to see your own culture through this cultural mirror. In the pages that follow, you will learn mostly about the customs and beliefs of this African culture. Some of the customs and beliefs you are about to encounter in this volume may shock you, amaze you, amuse you, or leave you awe-inspired. You may find the whole thing fascinating. Whatever emotion you come away with as you thumb through these pages, it is my hope that you will hold on to something that is life changing for you- for the better. The purpose of this book is to emphasize similarities between cultures, heighten students' consciousness about ethnic diversity and appreciation for their own ethnic heritage. Although the African culture is presented in this story, it is the universality of the issues discussed that is important. I have done everything I could to make this journey to a strange world as easy as possible without compromising the very essence of cultural discovery. I hope that you will get a lot from this book, and it will change your views about life, yourself, your culture, and the cultures of other peoples of the world. As a teacher, I am aware of the need to educate people, especially our children, on the cultures of other peoples. I have, therefore, included discussion on the socio-cultural issues and cross-cultural issues from an ethnographic perspective and incorporated strategies for teaching this culture and the cultures of other ethnic groups. You really do not need to study the culture of every group before you can begin to teach in a multicultural classroom. The idea is that once you have mastered the strategy for teaching the culture of one ethnic group, you can teach the culture of any ethnic group. This is necessary because, as Takaki (1993) notes, all students in America today need to know much more about the origins and history of the particular cultures which, as Americans, they will encounter during their lives. Finally, it is my heart's desire to impress upon you, the teacher, the fact that every student that enters your classroom, like the little boy in this story, comes with a dream. It is your responsibility to keep every student's dream alive, to focus every one of them, and to motivate each of them to achieve his or her purposes. All children want to succeed. They, too, dream America. As Dr. Hanson observes, "I Too Dream America gives readers a tantalizing glimpse into a world few Americans have experienced or imagined. As he relates his youthful experiences in Nigeria, we are simotaneously intrigued and astonished by the sense of participation his stories deliver. He makes it possible for readers to share his adventures, successes, and tragedies as participants in his vivid memories of a unique African cultural heritage." Dr. Allen notes, "It captures the spirit of voice of every parent, teacher and child who would like to understand the culture of other countries. It is a look at the African culture through the eyes of a native who has come to America and now lives the American dream. It gives direction to teachers, parents and students on how to understand and appreciate the culture and contributions of every child that shows up on the steps of an American school, seeking an education that would lead him or her to the American dream. It brings to life the desires of every parent and the aspirations of every child"