Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Staceyann Chin: The Other Side of Paradise

Yesterday I met an openly gay Jamaican woman, whose knack for comedy and messianic oration about her life in Jamaica, held the attention of some 90 students in a class on Adolescent Development. I was completely blown away by her ease of mind, and the frankness with which she discussed deeply personal and moving tales of abandonment, abuse, and ultimately liberation. I was proud to call myself Jamaican alongside her, and I look forward to meeting with her again sometime soon.

While listening to her read from her book, flashes of my own childhood came rushing back. I was so heartened by her ability to overcome the challenges she faced, while simultaneously reminding myself, that there was indeed a light at the end of the tunnel of despair that was my youth.

I asked her about her exile in America, and she spoke resolutely of having to LIVE, using her pasts to motivate her ambitions. She repeatedly reminded the audiences she spoke to not to pity her, because now she is living a good life. She said that it is somewhat hurtful to be forced to leave home on account of preserving one's safety. But she reminded me that it is a necessary choice that one must make, if they are to live happily.

I bought her new book, in which she signed the following words: "May our voices ring louder than our fears." A most germane reminder of the need for us to speak out against the injustices wrought upon our misunderstood brother/sisterhood.

Buy the book- it's worth every penny!
http://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Paradise-Memoir/dp/0743292901

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for the info :D

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  2. I want this SO BADLY!

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  3. you are insane to think that your nasty lives would go unpunished.man and woman populate the world it was designed so.If yo have two million same sex so called couples living on an island for 100 years,. chances are the populus would naturally be extinct because of natures law.If you have fifty ccouples living on another location barring natural catastrophic events, the populus would NATURALLY GROW AND EXCELL!This acceptance thing is new to our cu=ivilization and should be met with all resistance possible.Stacy ann go find a man yuh wotliss nasty nega!

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  4. keep yuh nastiness private,a man that desires a n inphant, a man that desires a donkey or a woman trhat desires a dog all have a voice too lesbians and battyman fall into those catergories because the 4relationship does nor lead to procreation. the anus excrete waste in solid ,liquid and gas. it was never designed to be confused with the vagina nor was it designed to axcrt as a substitue there are no homophobias becaUSE THESR ARE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT THE DECLINE OF FAMILY AS WE KNOW IT. nATGURE WOULD HAND YOU YOUR JUST REWARD.YOUR LIFE IS UN ACCEPTABLE AND WOULD BE RESISTED ....THE CHILD MOLESTER HAS THE SENSE NOT TO ORGANIZE NOR DOES THOSE THAT INDULGE IN ANIMALS AND BEAST BUT YOU AND YOUR CROWNIES DECIDE TO ORGANIZE TO RE CREATE ANOTHER SODOM ANMD GOMERA WELL GUESS WHAT? WHEN JAH SET ANOTHER FYAH PON YUH LIFE STYLE JUST REMEMBER YOU WERE TOLD TO RE THINK YOUR NASTY WEIRD LIFESTYLE.......MORE FYAH!

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  5. YOU CLING ON ORDINARY PEOPLE TO ACCEPT YOUR NASTINESS? WHY??????????????YOU ARE INSANE AND SPIRITUALLY CORRUPT YUH NASTY NEGA MORE FYAH!

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  6. I am a gay Jamaican and Stacy thanks for the book. It healed me and gave me a new sense of direction.

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  7. I love this work, Staceyann Chin, is a true artist. I have written about this article my self. Check out my page sometime, at http://www.vjdominates.blogspot.com

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