Chapter 1 – Introduction
In My Roots, the author, Wilfred Granby, recounts his childhood growing up in his home country of Jamaica. He shares his personal experience growing up and the different experiences he encountered throughout his life. He details his family's hardworking lifestyle and the struggles they faced just to make ends meet. From the seven different types of bread his mother sold to creating money from farming, Wilfred's family worked hard to help him gain the education he did today. As the roots of his family spread across the world, Wilfred reflects on the past and how far he has come.
Chapter 2 – Family
In this section of My Roots, Wilfred reveals the strong sense of family values that was instilled in him growing up on the island. He emphasizes that the family bond was something that connected the members of the family in the same way plants were connected to their roots. There was reliance and support from the other members of the family, no matter their individual circumstances. Wilfred remembers the outings the family would take to Kingston for shopping trips, and how they would all stay together even while at the beach, since that was usually a leisure time activity. In his own words, Wilfred explains that “family was so much more than just the bloodline.”
Chapter 3 – Education
In this chapter, Wilfred discusses the importance of education for a young man growing up in the Caribbean. For him, it was the key to succeeding in the future. Wilfred's mother pushed him to get as much education as he could and gave him resources to do so. Wilfred remembers reading books from his bed and walking to school at 4 in the morning to beat the crowds in order to get an education.
He talks about the humility of education and how his family would never think of questioning what his teachers said. Wilfred learned the importance of respect for elders and knowledge while growing up and it's something that he has kept with him as an adult.
Chapter 4 – Migration
Wilfred recounts the migration of his family from Jamaica to the United States and other countries. He describes how his family would toil in the fields to earn enough money for the voyage and how they would all think of the better life they’d have abroad. Wilfred's father talked of the “land of milk and honey” of America, and how important it was for the family to try and better themselves. This experience helped form Wilfred's sense of family and the importance of hard work in order to make it in life.
He talks about the struggle of leaving his home and family, and how it was hard to say goodbye even when it meant going on to better things. Wilfred struggles with his newfound life, not having his culture or family around him, but slowly learns to adjust to the new life he has created for himself.
Chapter 5 – Homecoming
Wilfred eventually makes the trip back to Jamaica for a homecoming. He talks of the joy he felt returning to the place he was born and seeing his family for the first time in years. Even though he had changed a lot personally, Wilfred Anthony discovers that the strong relationship between family that he had grown up with still remained. He was welcomed back into the home with open arms and the bittersweet emotions of returning to his home country emerge. Wilfred found pride in the strides and successes his family made together and witnessed firsthand the hardworking lifestyle of the Caribbean.
Chapter 6 – Diaspora
In the final chapter of My Roots Wilfred recounts his journey and his family's subsequent travels. He reflects on how their travels took them all around the world and even to places as far away as the United States. Wilfred talks about the strength of his family and how each of them has faced their own struggles. He also stresses the importance of the diaspora and how it has connected them all over the globe. Wilfred concludes by discussing his plans to continue his family’s journey and further spread their roots. He mentions his plans to make a documentary on his family’s life, a great project to share the hardworking lifestyle of the Caribbean, noting that “My Roots started from the soil of Jamaica, and will continue to travel far beyond the shore.”
