Atlanta, GA–She arrived the United States with $300 and suddenly realised that there were no subway train networks and double decker buses in her community. The sudden realization of reality probably led to culture shock which formed part of the inspiration to write about her experience.
Author Folake Taylor was inspired to write this book by the troubling social trends in the developed world. She is a foreign born MD who has dared to express an opinion about issues she believes are in need of a new direction in the American society and most of the western countries. She offers solutions to alleviate these and other problems, even as she makes a connection to global views and personal experiences. According to Folake Taylor, “Though leaders politically and economically, America and many industrialized countries are not leaders socially. We have fallen short in this regard. Do we have to trade modernization for social values?”
The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant is a phenomenal read and though literature exists on similar subjects, they are usually not authored by an immigrant (with a view from within and without); neither do they contain such an array of information in a single book. Folake Taylor provides an interesting perspective for women and African Americans most especially, as seen through the eyes of an immigrant. She paints a picture of unique struggles and triumphs that one scarcely ever reads on paper while offering a matchless viewpoint to assist immigrants from the third world.
The book highlights some aspects of the following issues;
- Identity & Gender roles
- Health & Preventive medicine
- Finding a mate
- Relationships & Family
- Single parenthood
- Teenage pregnancies
- Diet & Nutrition
- Global exposure
- Positivity & Loving yourself
- Life outside the United States
Her objective for this book is to facilitate change in her environment by the collective involvement of each individual in the community. Though dealing with critical issues, this book is an easy read.
For more details, visit; www.theonlywayisup.net
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