Hank A person’s name is the very first impression they give. One’s name is the foundation of all interactions. A name is deeply important. A name sustains traditions stemming from family ties, cultural history, and personal beliefs all of which tie oneself into the surrounding community providing a level of relatedness. My legally given nameContinue reading “Names are Important”
Tag Archives: Yaa Gyasi
Why Making Assumptions is Dangerous: An Example From Class
By: Roy Chebaclo Today in class, my classmates and I had a large group discussion where we shared our writing from the weekend. The writing was from an assignment where we had the opportunity to engage with a character from Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, the novel we are currently reading, on a personal/first-person basis. ThisContinue reading “Why Making Assumptions is Dangerous: An Example From Class”
The Importance of Names in Homegoing
By Reina Ackerberg Homegoing, written by Yaa Gyasi, includes a vast variety of names, varying from extremely short to long, and common to unique. What are names? And why are they important? According to the Equity and Inclusion Office of British Columbia, “Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deepContinue reading “The Importance of Names in Homegoing”
“Family Is Like the Forest”
by Sage Marmet Yaa Gyasi’s epigraph in Homegoing, an Akan proverb, rings so undeniably true about families and each of their respective dynamics. The epigraph reads, “Abusua te sε kwaε: sε wo wↄ akyire a wo hunu sε εbom; sε wo bεn ho a na wo hunu sε nnua no bia sisi ne baabi nko”Continue reading ““Family Is Like the Forest””
In The Shadow of The Castle: the Legacy of Ghanaian Slave Trade and What “homegoing” Means to African Americans Today
Above: Steve Harvey explores Ghana as part of the “Year of Return” for African descendants in the diaspora.1 By Taggert Smith In 2019, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo announced a “Year of Return,” inviting descendants of Ghanian people spread out across the world to return to the motherland. Though we didn’t read this far in class,Continue reading “In The Shadow of The Castle: the Legacy of Ghanaian Slave Trade and What “homegoing” Means to African Americans Today”
Silence: the Loudest Voice
Silence. The one word that once said, disappears. For many, there is peace in silence. It’s a place of serenity where one is left to their own thoughts and are given time to reflect. It can be an avenue to practice mindfulness and meditation. Yet, silence is also a defense mechanism; a method to processContinue reading “Silence: the Loudest Voice”
The Destruction of Fire: A Symbol of Slavery
The motif of fire is very prominent in the first few chapters of Yaa Gyasi’s novel Homegoing. Fire is a destructive force that brings pain with its rapid and aggressive spread. It leaves behind nothing but dust and ash and shows no mercy to anyone. Although there are literal mentions of fire –like the oneContinue reading “The Destruction of Fire: A Symbol of Slavery”
Daddy’s Little Girl: Blessing or Curse?
In American culture, the concept of being a “daddy’s girl” or a “mama’s boy” is all too present; I myself have been called daddy’s little girl. More often than not, if a young girl connects with her father and is given special attention from him, she is deemed a daddy’s girl, for many a prizedContinue reading “Daddy’s Little Girl: Blessing or Curse?”
Constructions of Gender in Literature 