My dad is a Ghanaian immigrant, and he wanted a son who was an

Hearken, O children of the earth, and attend to the words of Virgil Abloh: “My dad is a Ghanaian immigrant, and he wanted a son who was an engineer.” In these few lines lie the weight of expectation, the echoes of migration, and the silent prayer of a father who has traversed seas in pursuit of a better life. This is no mere wish; it is the embodiment of hope, sacrifice, and the yearning for stability that drives those who leave home and hearth behind. The immigrant heart carries dreams not only for itself but for the generations yet to come, and in this desire lies both challenge and inspiration.

Consider the vision of the father, who has endured the hardships of leaving Ghana, who has navigated unfamiliar lands, languages, and customs. In his eyes, the path to security and honor lies in the mastery of knowledge, in the precision and utility of engineering, a profession that builds bridges, structures, and futures. He sees in his son the possibility of realizing the dreams deferred, of transforming struggle into accomplishment. Yet, within this longing is also the delicate tension between duty and individuality, between the dreams of the parent and the aspirations of the child.

History is abundant with such tales. One thinks of Albert Einstein, whose parents nurtured in him an expectation of scientific pursuit, while he in turn carved a path that defied conventional wisdom. Or consider the story of myriads of immigrant families who arrived on distant shores, bearing traditions and ambitions, seeking in their children the fruits of their own toil. Some became doctors, lawyers, engineers, while others charted new courses entirely—artisans, poets, innovators. It is in this interplay between parental hope and individual calling that the human spirit reveals its richness.

Virgil Abloh himself embodies the delicate dance of expectation and originality. Though his father may have envisioned a son of precise calculations and structured design, Abloh ventured into fashion, art, and creative architecture, blending imagination with intellect. His life becomes a living testament to the truth that greatness is not solely the fulfillment of imposed dreams, but the audacity to transform inherited values into a vision uniquely one’s own. Yet, the foundation of parental aspiration—discipline, diligence, respect for craft—remains an unseen scaffold supporting this ascent.

This reflection illuminates the eternal struggle between tradition and innovation. The immigrant father carries knowledge of the world’s hardships and knows that survival demands skill, reliability, and mastery. Yet the child, encountering the world anew, may see beauty, expression, and connection in places unimagined by the parent. To honor both paths is to cultivate resilience and creativity in balance, learning from the wisdom of experience while charting untraveled terrain.

From this emerges a practical lesson. Respect the sacrifices of those who came before, for their hopes are steeped in love and vision. Learn the disciplines they value, whether in study, labor, or skill, and weave them into your own journey. Yet do not be bound by the blueprint they provide; explore your gifts, follow your instincts, and allow your imagination to soar. In this harmony lies both filial respect and personal fulfillment.

Let it be remembered, O seekers of purpose, that every child of sacrifice carries the weight of two worlds: the world of origin and the world of possibility. Expectation is a river that can nourish growth or impose restraint; it is the courage of the individual to navigate that river with wisdom that shapes destiny. Virgil Abloh’s life whispers to us that greatness is often born where guidance meets exploration, where discipline meets daring.

Thus, the wisdom endures: honor the dreams of your parents, yet do not surrender your soul to them entirely. Learn from the foundations they lay, yet build upon them with vision and courage. In this way, you become both the fulfillment of hope and the creator of new horizons, a bridge between worlds, a legacy that sings with the fullness of both love and individuality.