A Chat With Pearl Kasujja – Van De Velde on her latest book
If you are familiar with diaspora based lifestyle authors, then the name Pearl Kasujja – Van De Velde sparks excitement and tickles imagination.
Pearl’s latest book “Dear White Husband(s)” is a light-hearted, humorous, anecdotal guide that dives into the delightful and baffling world when black (African) and white ‘relationship’ worlds collide.
She hopes readers walk away with a deeper understanding of love across cultures and the insights that come with it.
Diaspora Digital News had an exclusive chat with Pearl, where she gave us insights into her latest literary work.
Inspiration
Pearl says that her writing has always been inspired by her own experiences. “This particular book, written in both English and French – with a Dutch version out in a few months – was inspired by my interracial marriage; my Dear White Husband is Belgian. So, it was easy for me to draw from this. I also know many family members and friends that have had similar experiences in their own intercultural marriages. I wanted to create a book that highlights these differences and experiences with relatability and humor.”
Humor meets wittiness
When it comes to the art of interspersing humor with topical issues, Pearl is one of the best in the ‘business.’ In her view, humor can be a powerful tool for connection and shared experiences as she explains: “It’s always been a way of survival for me and so, that seeps into my writing – even with emotionally heavy/ serious topics on race, culture, etc. I feel like it “softens” the barriers and makes readers stick around long enough to learn something. In a world that’s mostly bleary and bleak, my aim is to foster conversations around such topics in a light-hearted way.”
However, considering the reality of the issues raised in the book, will readers be able to relate and appreciate the humor?
She explains further: “I think many readers will see themselves in the funny moments I share in this book. The book chapters are all illustrated by the renowned Ugandan cartoonist, author, lecturer, and human rights activist Jimmy Spire Ssentongo. This really adds an engaging visual element that complements the text and brings the anecdotes to life in a way that I believe makes the stories even more memorable.
The book speaks to a broad audience: African, Caribbean, Caucasian audiences and to anyone else that is simply curious about intercultural relationships.”
(Jimmy Spire Ssentongo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Makerere University, specializing in Ethics and Identity Studies. As an accomplished author, the award winning community engagement and justice activist has also edited scholarly volumes, published extensively, and contributed as an Editorial Cartoonist and columnist for The Observer newspaper since 2006).
The relatability of this book stems from the fact that Pearl is known for writing what she lives and closely experiences. Her most sought after first book: ‘From Journeys to Words – Wobbly Tales of Expat Lives’ documents her and co–author Julie Epenu’s lives in more than 10 countries over the last 17 years as expat spouses. And so, we asked her to share tips on how to adapt to living with a significant other from a different race without losing identity, and her articulation was apt:
“It is so easy to lose one’s identity through migration – whether it’s migration for work, love or any other reason. Adapting to a new culture, language, way of living takes stamina. I’ve personally had to learn several languages because firstly Belgians just love being polyglots – one language isn’t enough, we have to “know” several languages when we move to Belgium and also, because of my years as a traveling expat spouse.”
She adds:
“Over the years, it’s been a battle trying to maintain my own identity as a Ugandan and to give that through to my husband, our two girls and to the rest of the people I’ve met along the way. I have steadfastly clung to some aspects of my culture and married them (pun intended) into my interracial marriage and friendships.
My husband and kids know many of my foods, cultural rituals and nuances … Dear White Husband(s) expands on these, and many more aspects of this cultural identity.
The one sneaky adaptation challenge has been teaching our children my native language, Luganda but, having spent years juggling Chinese, Arabic, French, and Dutch classes, Luganda was a hard one to sneak in. I keep dropping words into their vocabulary though … They can say “I love you” in Luganda – that is already something.”
Takeaways from Dear White Husband(s)
Among her expectations, Pearl wants readers to embrace their differences and find joy in the journey of building relationships together, no matter the background.
She also “hopes that the book encourages open dialogue around race and culture and through laughing together in Dear White Husband(s), we can collectively challenge stereotypes and invite deeper conversations about our identities, experiences, cultural norms, misconceptions, and the beauty of blending our different backgrounds in relationships.”
A lot to do!
Pearl has a full plate; a lot more experiences which she may want to share with us in her next publication. In the meantime however, she gives us a sneak peak:
“My husband has taken early retirement after many years of working and living all over the world, so that means, I am a retired expat spouse, back in Belgium – a country that I call home … that isn’t exactly home … that isn’t Uganda … but is home now … but wasn’t for many years … Looking for a job, finding my way in this new experience that weirdly feels like another work posting, feeling weird that I don’t have to pack up and unpack an entire house every four years and the kids don’t have to change schools every few years. So many emotions to unpack there. So, perhaps I’ll take a shot at exploring what that means through another book!”
Dear White Husband(s) is available on all Amazon stores as well as selected bookstores in Uganda, London, Kenya – with many more countries to be added on the list.
Get your copies now and widely recommend!
About the Book’s Author
Pearl Kasujja – Van De Velde was born and raised in Uganda, but acquired a second home and nationality in Belgium when she married her (Dear White) husband.
The past 15-plus years have seen her, with her husband and two children embark on an adventurous journey through several countries as expats. These crazy travels helped her blend her love for adventure and writing – resulting in the birth of her first book: From Journeys to Words – Wobbly Tales of Expat Lives.
Pearl is passionate about social justice and development; and she’s focused on creating positive change in communities and advocating for equality and human rights.
When she’s not writing, reading or eavesdropping on the very fascinating lives of fellow expats, then you’ll usually find her indulging in her unyielding addiction of binge-watching K(orean)-Drama on Netflix!
Find Pearl on:
Facebook: Pearl Kasujja
Instagram: pearl_kasujja
LinkedIn: Pearl Kasujja – Van de Velde.
Interview: Theresa R. Fianko
Content/ Images: Pearl Kasujja – Van De Velde