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C.lirette - Assignment 7-1 - Life History Interview Paper
C.lirette - Assignment 7-1 - Life History Interview Paper
Christopher Lirette
2 July 2021
Throughout the weeks I have been in a conversation with my friend Itz Mikson who I met
on Facebook back in October of 2020. Since then, we have spoken on occasion, mostly checking
in on one another. This assignment has given us cause to speak via Facebook Live and get to
know one another better. However, due to rolling blackouts in his hometown of Abuja, Nigeria
to conserve power and our 6-hour time difference, our conversations were mostly limited to
Facebook Messenger.
Throughout our acquaintance it has become very apparent that we are from two different
cultures. When we became Facebook friends he expressed that he would like to get to know me
better and really stressed that he wanted to be my friend. However, it became clear that we had
very different conceptions of what that looks like. He wanted to be my actual friend and not just
Within a month of being friends on Facebook he was disappointed that I wasn’t talking to
him more and at one point he even said that he was worried about me because he had not heard
from me in a while. In fact, as I write this essay, I have looked back on our correspondence and
he is regularly the one to check in and see how my wife, kids, and I are doing. Honestly if it
weren’t for his persistence, we probably would be just acquaintances, because he is always the
Itz Mikson is a 28-year-old man from Nigeria who describes himself as an introvert,
loner, and popular. He enjoys cooking, swimming, reading, walking on the beach, fishing, sailing
camping, playing checkers, scrabbling (digging with the hands), and watching comedies. He
lives in a 3-story building with his family in the city of Abuja. He comes from a family of 7
siblings and is the first son, but the third born in his family. Itz describes himself as the future
A common theme in talking to Itz was his desire to be successful and his parents desire
for him to be successful. He shared that when he was little he “drove the tire” and rode his
bicycle and believes that was evidence that he would be successful in the future. He works at
Itz is very close to his family and has tremendous loyalty to his parents. He stated that he
is only alive because of them and owes them a lot. His father plays a large role in his life for a
number of reasons. Itz works alongside his father as an electrician. Itz says that his mentor is his
dad, because he is nice, caring and understanding. His father loves and takes good care of his
family and is truthful, self-disciplined, and ready to risk everything for his family. Itz told a story
describing how his father would regularly buy him shoes and clothes growing up. He specifically
remembers a pair of shoes he received that had lights in them and how he was very fond of them
As stated earlier, Itz is from Abuja, Nigeria. Abuja is the political and administrative
capital of Nigeria and, as cities go, is relatively young. In fact, it was established in the 1980’s,
specifically be the capital of Nigeria. Nearby Zuma Rock is a place that holds special
significance in Itz’s heart, holding special memories as a place he visited with his sister. Itz
speaks fondly of the people of Abuja, saying they are very kind and welcoming. Itz is still close
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with his childhood friends, and they like to spend time together watching soccer. He says that
when any of them need help, they are they for one another to help each other out.
There are a few special days that stick out to Itz. The first is the Muslim holiday of
Sallah. Sallah is the “Feast of the Sacrifice,” referring to the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice
Ishmael on Mount Moriah, according to Islamic tradition. One way they celebrate this day is
family and friends come from afar to celebrate it together. They will eat any kind of food but
especially rice. Another special day that Itz mentioned is the celebration of manhood when a boy
becomes a man. He has already had his celebration. But the rite of passage is something his
whole town celebrates. Similar to the observance of Sallah, friends and family make the event
While Itz states that he is a Muslim and he celebrates Muslim holidays, Itz says that he is
a searcher for the truth between heaven and earth and ultimately believes that all religions are
good. He believes in a higher power and that we are not alone. Itz says God inspires him each
day with his love and mercies and that God is the reason for his existence. He believes we are
called to multiply love to our neighbors. Itz says that he is a god-fearing man and has his Muslim
faith to credit for his life, attitude, and success. The family has a doctor they take each other to if
they get sick or injured. Itz says, however, that they can’t control everything and must leave
disasters in God’s hands. Regarding Itz’s parents and their faith, he says that he believes what
Itz is a loyal friend and family member. He has a love for life, God, and family. He has a
disdain for betrayal, fakeness, lies, racism, and drama. He believes his past has made him
resilient and he does his best to stay focused on the future and not on the past. In truth, we are
more alike than I thought and I am glad I got the chance to know him better.