Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

[Daoud4]

Hello everyone,
Please join me in welcoming Yvonne Blackwood, author of Into Africa: A Personal Journey, to the Book Club forum. Feel free to post any questions.

Let me be the first to welcome you and thank you for taking the time to join us. I haven't read your book yet, but have heard and read great reviews about it. I'm looking forward to reading it in the near future.

I do have one question though, what were your expectations when writing the book, if any? Did you expect the responses that you've received from the book?

[mountaingal]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

While we wait for Yvonne to come (she's scheduled to be here at 2 p.m.), here's some info on her:


[ QUOTE ]
Yvonne Blackwood's signature quotation is "Perseverance is a great element of success. If you knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." It was with determination and drive to fulfill a lifelong dream that she set out on a journey to West Africa-alone.

She is a newspaper columnist and wrote for The Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper with more than two million readers. She currently writes for The African Connection. Yvonne has published several short stories. She was the winner of the Canadian Authors, Toronto Branch, Millennium 2000 short story contest with a fascinating story, Old Friends. The story is published in an anthology called In All Directions.

Blackwood is well known for her community work and has held many positions including: President of Tropicana Community Services Organization, Director of the Children's Aid Society, Board Director of the Trillium Foundation, and Marketing Director of the Toronto branch of The Canadian Authors Association.

[Tropicana]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Hi Yvonne:

I am thrilled that you are able to stop by. Unfortunately, it won't be possible for me to be here when you arrive at 2:00 but I do have some questions for you.

First of all, you and I have a lot in common. I have also worked for the Children's Aid and done some writing. I have also been a banker. Kind of spooky that we have so much in common?

Since the age of 18, I have been researching my genealogy and I would very much like to trace my familial roots to Africa. I am stuck in the late 1890s in one branch and in the 1820s on all others. Do you have any tips or have you come across any resources in Africa or Jamaica that could help move my search to the next level.

The next question relates to Jamaican family structure and problems. We have had some, at times, heated discussion about some of the family dynamics in our community. Some have put forth the view that some of the dynamcis we seen in some Jamaican families are part of our culture. Others (including me) are of the view that this is not a part of our culture but a dysfunctional family system that has emerged in response to the negative impact of slavery and economic and social barriers during the post slavery era. What is your view? I am referring to dynamics such as:

- A high number of single parent families, headed by women

- Children being born out of wedlock

- Men having many "baby mothers"

What do you see as the impact of these dynamics on the growth of children into emotionally healthy adults who can "hold their own" in society in every sense of the expression.

My final question relates to child rearing practices within the Jamaican community. When I was a social worker, I remember that a lot of families got into difficulty due to the fact that disiciplinary practices in some Jamaican families were not compatible with some of the legislation in Ontario. Jamaican families were, at times, also perceived as being overly harsh and punitive. Has any of this changed? How are we as a community doing in terms of adapting to the expectations of a different culture w.r.t. childrearing practices and discipline?

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I hope that you enjoy your time on the board.

Walk good and God bless.

[loveone]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

I expected many people, especially Black people, to read the book and enjoy the story. I aslo hoped that many of us would consider going to Africa. I had no ieda the publishing of the book and the process would change my life!

[Hush Darlin]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Hi Yvonne welcome to Jamaicans.com
SistahD send her apologies for not being able to be here today with you as she is in the prosecc of moving house and she dont have access to the Internet at this time.

[mountaingal]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Originally posted by Yvonne Blackwood:
[qb] I expected many people, especially Black people, to read the book and enjoy the story. I aslo hoped that many of us would consider going to Africa. I had no ieda the publishing of the book and the process would change my life! [/qb]

hi, yvonne, glad you could make it. i guess you're handling tropicana's questions right now. also, check your private message, by clicking on "my profile" atthe top of the page.

when you're done, maybe you can say how the experience of writing and getting published change your life. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Hush Darlin]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Well Yvonne I have not read your book as yet but I will be sure to get a copy of it.

[msportmore]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Hi Yvonne,

Welcome to the board.

- Did your journey to Africa prompt you to write the book or did your yearning for writing a book prompt you to travel to Africa?

- What would be your advise for young, Jamaican, female "wanna-be" authors? {By "wanna-be" I literally mean, those who have the desire to become authors of their own books, etc.)

- In your opinion, how easy is it to become a published author being a black Jamaican who happens to be female?

[Daoud4]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Originally posted by Yvonne Blackwood:
[qb] I expected many people, especially Black people, to read the book and enjoy the story. I aslo hoped that many of us would consider going to Africa. I had no ieda the publishing of the book and the process would change my life! [/qb]

I've considered it many times. I'm expecting it will have a huge impact on my life as well.

What are you working on now?

[mountaingal]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

yvonne, please check your e-mail.

[Dailybread]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Hi Yvonne,
Welcome to the board. I have yet to read your book but have added it to my list of must reads.

In writing your book what points did you struggle with most to get across to the readers?

Are there things that were left out that you now wish you had included?


What inspires you to fulfill your dreams and desires?


Thanks in advance,
DB

[loveone]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

This is a reply to Marcia's questions.I'll be brief because your questions are indepth and could take time:
1) There are many ways to proceed with finding out about your roots. When I visited the Ashanti Palace in Ghana(now a museum), the curator told me that had I known the name of the village where my ancestors came from, he would have been able to give me the info I needed.
2)I am very disturbed about our family structure and am convinced that despite the years that separate us from the continent of Africa, it still has some bearing on our mentality. I just returned from a second journey to Arfica and I see almost the identical thing there!
3) Single parenthood has a huge impact on children, and yes, many single mothers have done great jobs in bringing up their children, but a children need both parents.

[Hush Darlin]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

I agree with you that children needs both parent but often time there is only one parent around and that is usually the mother.
Some kids are even better of being with jus one parent around rather than both. As having both thing can get very complicated and they suffer emotional abuse or some kinds of abuse.

[loveone]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

This reply is to Daily Bread,
Hope I'm doing it right!

1)The thing I struggled with the most while writing the book, was how to articulate it so that you the reader can see, hear, & feel my experience. From feedback I seem to have done that.
2) The story was not an autobiography, therfore I wrote about the points that were important in sharing the journey. I have no regrets about the story.
3 I'm ispired to fulfill my dreams and desires based on the lives of others. I realize that all of us can achieve anything we set our minds to achieve. We MUST have determination and continue to challenge ourselves.

[loveone]

Re: Welcome...Yvonne Blackwood

Originally posted by TeeTee:
[qb] Hello everyone,
Please join me in welcoming Yvonne Blackwood, author of Into Africa: A Personal Journey, to the Book Club forum. Feel free to post any questions.

Let me be the first to welcome you and thank you for taking the time to join us. I haven't read your book yet, but have heard and read great reviews about it. I'm looking forward to reading it in the near future.

I do have one question though, what were your expectations when writing the book, if any? Did you expect the responses that you've received from the book? [/qb]