Voodoo and the Holy Ghost.Sin and Redemption.The Immigrant Experience and Life in the Native Country.White Supremacists Against Black Nationalists. These are some of the powerful themes explored in this book by a man who lived and experienced both the best and the worst of both worlds. Haunted by a lurking fear of a 'curse' he was told he might have inherited from his father as the first born son, he sought to escape the 'voodoo' by emigrating first to St. Croix and the Virgin Islands and from there to the United States where he began to pursue the American Dream. It was smooth sailing in the beginning: a good job, lots of cash, a happy marriage, beautiful children and a great family life. Then it all came tumbling down. Suddenly he seemed to have forgotten about his family, his goal of working to save money to go back home to help his family, and blew it all on 'good time' It was: women, booze, drugs. He paid the ultimate prize with a failed marriage, disgruntled children and a disappointed family. He almost lost his life when he ran into angry white 'union brothers', who hated Black people, called him a nigger and tried to kill him. Yet through it all, he managed to hold on to his dignity, with his faith in God, pride in his heritage and dedication to his children.
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About the Author
Both the author, Mervyn Vincent Patrick, and collaborator, Kofi Quaye, reside in Syracuse, NY, and share many things in common, not the least of which is the fact that they are both immigrants, and artists, of sorts. Kofi Quaye, originally from Ghana, is an internationally recognized author of several books of fiction and non-fiction. His books focus mostly on the 'immigrant experience' and include JOJO IN NEW YORK published by Macmillan Publishing Co., England, CRISIS IN THE FAMILY [HERITAGE BOOKS, NY,] FREE FROM DEATH ROAD, [HERITAGE BOOKS, NY] WHEN THE IMMIGRANT'S DREAM TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE [IMPRINT BOOKS, NY] To Kofi Quaye, collaborating in writing the book was an 'exercise in nostalgia.' It is a book which essentially reflects his own experiences in terms of growing up in a cultural ambience in Africa where belief in ancient religions, customs, rituals and traditions exists side by side with Christianity, to the confusion and bewilderment of men, women and youth who don't know which one to accept or reject.To Mervyn V. Patrick, writing the book was a labor of love; he wanted to tell his side of the story, to his children and others who want to know the real truth about his experiences as an immigrant, the challenges he faced, the obstacles he overcame and the ultimate prize he paid.
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