As the ancient Igbo proverb goes “The okra tree never grows taller than its farmer”.
Basically, it means don’t get too big for your boots.
I like to think this proverb was developed specifically to describe relationships between parents and children. Especially black parents.
Throughout my entire childhood I have been reminded of the fact that regardless of the heights I reach in society, I must always remain indebted to my parents for bringing me into this world and above all, never making the fatal mistake of having even the faintest inkling that I might be more knowledgeable than them on a particular topic.
By their very nature, parents are required to maintain an aura of superiority, and of course, that works until you’re about 12, but once you’re a teenager it’s basically your job to challenge your parents’ authority on just about everything… unless your parents are black that is.