Tracy-Ann Hyman documents cultural experiences in new book
Published:Sunday | April 10, 2022 | 12:13 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
They say the only way to know and understand a culture is to experience it. This notion proved to be true for Jamaican scholar and educator Tracy-Ann Hyman who took the experiences she garnered from her travels to Japan and documented them in a new book.
How Do You Use Those DARN CHOPSTICKS?!: A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who Lived and Studied in Japan chronicles an unexpected journey into the great unknown. “Travelling to Japan was actually the furthest thing from my mind; in fact, it was my plan B,” she told The Sunday Gleaner, noting that her first choice was to explore studies in Europe. However, she received a MEXT Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at the prestigious University of Tokyo and was grateful.
Upon arrival in Japan, three things stood out for her: the food, the culture, and the people. “I found it very difficult to use chopsticks to eat. I was used to a knife and fork back home in Jamaica. How was I supposed to use two wooden sticks to eat meat, rice, or even vegetables? So I avoided eating out with friends and colleagues in restaurants because I was embarrassed to ask for a fork, while everyone else was using chopsticks,” she explained.
Hyman practised the dining etiquette behind closed doors and was soon able to master the skill. For her, chopsticks became the very metaphor for her time in Japan (the culture shock, adjustments, and life-changing experience) and the inspiration behind the name of her book.
Two years after her master’s degree, she found herself at a crossroads: should she keep studying or seek a job? She decided on the latter and began teaching English to adults. The classes, she says, were conversational, the training materials incorporated storytelling content and used a lot of daily life examples.
“At first I thought my Jamaican accent would be an issue for Japanese students, but it was a plus for me and worked in my favour. Quite a few Japanese like and admire Jamaican culture, so in the end, it was a great experience teaching them English. I also enjoy academics and research, and so my time studying was also rewarding in Japan,” she said.
HARROWING ORDEAL
Her journey as chronicled in her book compelled her to learn more about herself and her identity as a black woman. She had to make a sudden departure due to the horror of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and the resultant nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant.
“It was a harrowing experience, a numbing one, which I describe in great detail in the book. It felt like I was losing my mind. Being a Jamaican in a foreign country with no family near you is very scary. I believe however that my experiences with the 2011 Tohoku earthquake enabled me to cope better with the global COVID-19 outbreak in 2020,” she revealed.
With the courage to stand up to adversity, she was able to cope with crisis and change. She even created a course for high school students, tertiary students, and working professionals, who are navigating through times of change and uncertainty, “This particular course is very relevant right now as students and working professionals return to face-to-face learning and interaction, and my own experiences, along with those of my team have enabled me to effectively deliver this course.”
The book was four years in the making, and Hyman followed through on all elements, including publishing. All of her hard work paid off at the launch last December.
In the midst of the pandemic, along with her team was able to have a hybrid launch, in partnership with the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ). The event, which was well supported, saw attendees like the Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, Masaya Fujiwara, who brought greetings on behalf of the Japanese government; Geraldine Miles, representing Ambassador Sheila Sealy-Monteith, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; her parents and, of course, her team members and friends.
“The atmosphere was exhilarating and I never wanted it to end, especially since the book launch day was also my birthday. I got to cut my birthday cake with my parents there, surrounded by the former leaders of this nation showcased at the NLJ, namely Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, and Louise Bennett-Coverley. I am eternally grateful to God through his son Jesus Christ for this signing milestone.”
Not only was she able to bear witness to her book coming to life, but Hyman was also able to see it take form as part of the archives at NLJ. “Prior to my book launch on December 16, 2021, there was one book in the library on Japan and its culture. My book now makes number two and so I am ecstatic, proud, and humbled all at the same time. Let me also encourage fellow Jamaicans who have lived, worked, and studied in Japan, to document their stories and make them available as well,” she added.
With the hope that her book will inspire others to learn about new cultures and weather their storms, How Do You Use Those DARN CHOPSTICKS?!: A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who Lived and Studied in Japan is available on Amazon or you can grab copies at Fontana Pharmacy in Kingston and Montego Bay. You can also purchase copies at the Town Centre pharmacy in the Spanish Town Shopping Centre, St Catherine.