JEAN GOULBOURNE is a senior lecturer in History and Social Studies at Church Teachers' College in Mandeville.

She is an internationally published poet and novelist and has worked at the Ministry of Education in the Publications Unit where she assisted in the writing of the Butterfly Series, a collection of 25 books for the reluctant adolescent reader.

Among her publications are 'Freedom come', 'Actors in the Arena', 'Under the sun', 'Excavation' and 'Woman song'. She has received numerous awards, including the runner up award for the Una Marson Prize 1995 for adult collection of stories, 'Caged Birds'. We caught up with her and found out just a little more than meets the eye.

Q: Of all your accomplishments, which means the most to you and why?

Jean Goulbourne: My children's writing, especially 'Freedom come" and being a lecturer at Church Teachers' College because I love teaching and my students and I have a very good relationship.

Q: If you had the chance to be a character in Jamaican history, who would it be?

Goulbourne: Louise Bennett.

Q: It's said that you portray a lot of pain and suffering in some of your works, why is this so?

Goulbourne: It is a part of the human condition and if you don't have sorrow then you won't know what joy is.

Q: If you could decide on the national dish, what would it be?

Goulbourne: Curry goat and rice.

Q: Your favourite Jamaican author?

Goulbourne: Rachel Manley and Everette Palmer, particularly Everette because he portrays Jamaica so accurately in his books.

Q: If you were to die today, what two things would you want to take with you?

Goulbourne: The gift of writing and the love of my family.

Q: If God gave you the chance to assign someone as a cultural god or goddess, who would it be?

Goulbourne: Louise Bennett or Bob Marley.

Q: In one word, tell readers who is Jean Goulbourne.

Goulbourne: Jamaican.

Q: What do you think we can do to incorporate more of Jamaican literature into our society?

Goulbourne: If people see themselves as authentic Jamaicans in Jamaican literature, they would be more inclined to read.

­ Karen Beale

• Main
• Roots & Culture
• A sketch of Miss Lou
• 'Nowhere else I'd want to be' - Barbara Gloudon
• Getting under the covers with Jean Goulbourne
  
• The JCDC story -- 40 years of waving the flag
  
• Jamaica mi bawn ya
• A true stalwart - D. Joyce Campbell: Preserving Jamaica's cultural heritage
• Ole time Sinting - The Way We Were
• Ole time Sinting...
• When the reign is over
• Sweet Sweet Jamaica
• Wey go so, an' wey nuh go so
• Story time
• Bre Anancy and Commonsense

See Also A Tribute To Miss Lou

• Noh lickle twang!
• Labrish with Miss Lou
• Tribute to an icon
• Moments With Miss Lou
• Louise Bennett-Coverley - Author
  

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