Can one man be a melting pot? – Jamaica native learns from his family’s multiethnic background
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Humans have an inherent desire to learn where we came from, making reality shows such as ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and ancestral search engines such as Ancestry.com wildly popular in the melting pot that is the United States.
Jamaica native Derrick Garland Coy is an ideal example of the value that can come from knowing more about your family’s history. His new memoir, A Jamaican’s Journey to Time and Patience, paints a vibrant portrait of his multiethnic family whose African, Chinese and European roots merged in Jamaica for a short time during the 19th and 20th centuries, then scattered around the globe to places such as Hong Kong, Australia and the United States.
“I wanted to know what caused my original family members to leave their various homelands and come to an island in the Caribbean Sea,” said Coy.
Coy’s research revealed that the slave trade from Africa under the Spanish and British control, the fierce heritage of the Maroon runaway slaves who harassed the British army and plantation owners, and the abolition of slavery that gave rise to the indentured program were all contributing factors in bringing his distant ancestors together.
The author and former pastor weaves vibrant tales from his forebears with his own personal journey— growing up in a family that moved from Jamaica to Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, England, Trinidad, Australia and the United States, his rebellious teenage years, a dramatic conversion to Christianity, two failed marriages, and straying from his faith before returning to his mission of serving Jesus Christ.
“This is a book of encouragement for readers whose lives and families are less than perfect, who carry in their background shame, regret, secrets and broken relationships,” said Coy.
By retracing the events that shaped his family, Coy’s reflections emphasize the importance of understanding the past, appreciating the present and looking faithfully toward the future.
For more information, visit http://dgcoy.me.
