Yabome Gilpin-jackson

Discussion Guide Yabome Gilpin-jackson

This companion discussion guide accompanies Identities: A short story collection. The stories in the collection evoke the global experiences of Africans of diverse backgrounds, races, ethnicities and identities. It explores, through story, the everyday identity concerns of diasporan or global Africans, such as experiences of being asked: where are you from?, immigrant and refugee integration, personal vs. ascribed social standing, remittance responsibilities, traditional vs. contemporary cultural values and many others. Ultimately, Identities is about the experiences of bridging, balancing and weaving together the multiple strands that form contemporary African identities on and off the continent. The companion discussion guide is designed for educators and book club enthusiasts or even an individual reader - to delve deeper into the themes that Identities provokes. The guide is meant to jumpstart you into further meaning-making through your own storytelling. For each story in the collection, this guide includes a story quote or snippet, behind the book commentary adapted from the blog series on the book and discussion questions. However, these are just guidelines. The invitation is for you to tell the stories your way and make this guide your own. This guide is meant to facilitate discussion and learning after reading each story. The questions are designed to promote open dialogue and not for debates on each person's position relative to the issues and questions raised. The intent therefore is that all who use this guide in a group setting will engage in transformational listening and questioning of each other for the purpose of learning.