Marlene Louis Blyden grew up in a large nuclear family in Coulibistrie, Dominica but migrated to the United States and is now tapping into the experiences of living in both countries for her new book “Perception Vs Reality in Culture.”
She said she uses satire (not so much sarcasm), and some levity, to help paint a clearer picture of those experiences and observations of specific aspects of human nature and behavior found in these two cultures.
According to Blyden, the book is geared to the general reading public but would be of great assistance to persons who have recently migrated to the US. She said one of the main goals of the book is to help readers take a few moments and see themselves through someone else’s eyes.
“The reader’s initial reaction may be, ‘Why should I care about others’ perceptions of me?’ On the flip side, the author asks, ‘Why should they care about your perceptions of them?'” She explains, “You see, in a civilized society, our attitudes and behaviors affect each other. The old saying is still true, ‘No one is an island.’”
She continues, “No one chose their family of origin, ethnicity, culture or country of birth. Therefore, the onus is on each individual to make the best of their given circumstances. It is OK to hang on to the positive, and let go of the negative aspects of your upbringing. Likewise, when you find yourself residing in a new country/culture you do not have to adopt all attitudes and behaviors you see practiced there. People are people no matter their circumstances or country of origin. If a decent person or someone who is working toward becoming a better human being reaches out to you, do not turn away. Help them if you can.”
Blyden attended the Coulibistrie Primary School and St. Joseph Secondary School. She has a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She plans to earn a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is the author of “My Daughter and Me: Laughing all the Way” and plans to release another book, “Maintaining a Stable Marriage in a Changing Culture,” in the near future.
Congratulations! Marlene the article said you are from Coulibistrie. Do you have a mother and father. Are they alive. It is my view that your parents are more important than where you come from. So the article should have read “daughter of Mr and Mrs Witnel Louis from the community of Coulibistrie.
Congrats girl. we went way back at Coulibistrie Gov’t School. So proud of your achievement
Congrats Marls, you and I were always close in school and beyond, so am celebrating your victory with u. much more to come.
Big congrates to a member of the larocque family, coulibistrie family, st joseph secondary school family of which i am part of all. Proud of you my girl. shoot for the highest star and with the inspiration of the father above,you will make it!! blessed love!!
congrats Marlene on your achievement. what else could one expect from the sons sna daughters of the g8 Mr. Whitnel Louise, also her alma mater is the St. Joseph Secondary School, that’s mine as well and believe it or not 99% of the graduates from that school some 20- 25 years ago are gainful employed so therefore St. Joseph Secondary School, now the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School has produced intelligent, well discliped, committee persons
congrats madame..i take you for rhoda we…yessa!!
‘GONE TOO SOON’ Our mother, Lumina Marie Larocque Louis left us April 2012. But she is saying to her 10th child and last daughter “WELL DONE” I am not there to enjoy the fruits of my labor, but please, ‘COULIBISTRIE/DOMINICA’, be proud of MY DAUGHTER, “MARLENE LOUIS BLYDEN” DO WELL WITH HER, and also your children. ‘THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND IT’S FULLNESS THEREOF, SEE U IN HEAVEN’, keep doing good to and for each other, AMEN.
Come ye forward, sons and daughters
Of this Gem beyond compare
Strive for Honour, Sons and Daughters
Do the right be firm be fair
Toil with Hearts and Hand and Voices
We must prosper! Sound the call
In which Everyone rejoices,
“All for each and each for All”
The Louis/Larocque family and DOMINICA on a whole are happy for their production. I use to feed Marlene and wondered, why this child is eating her food and not putting on weight, and later I realized all the food was going to her brain in her little head. “THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND IT’S FULLNESS THEREOF” My little sister have inspired all DOMINICANS not to give up on thier dreams. Invest in the positive and not the negative. Let us help build our girls, boys , young and old to be the best they can be and we all will get the best results. DOMINICA is a “BLESSED COUNTRY” let us rejoyce and be glad in it. DOMINICA is blessed with good people and Natural resources. We are in this together. GO MARLENE GO, GO DOMINICA GO. The President and Prime Minister of DOMINICA are very proud. “ONE LOVE” STRIVE FOR THE BEST, NEVER GIVE UP “GOD IS LOVE”
Congrats my dear friend. Keep working hard and remember, the sky is the limit. Very proud of you!
congratulations to my fellow villager hehe and facebook buddy. good job and keep it up
off spring of the great Whitnel Louis and product of the St Joseph Secondary School. Ted Serrant take a bow, you use to drill us to be great adults. Jennifer wallace, brade and dear the late Ms Proper
“Coulibistrie I from” Great job sister. Congrats from the Louis-Larocque Douglas family in Florida. Continue the great job. Much success to you in all you do. “Mi debas oui, gen Coulibistire ka ecrit livre.” Yes we are smart.
Always feel good when a Dominican do well but i’m elated when it comes home to the twin village of Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette. Congratulation!
Its amazing when we PLANT seeds and nurture them, we eventually REAP our harvest.
Congratulations to you my dear on your G8 success.
May the Spirit of the Lord continue to guide and keep you and LEAD you all the way.
Great Job and congratulations on another milestone. Louis Larocque Love Forever.
Great job. Dominicans abroard are positive and hardworking. I’ll have to read this book. Support to Coulibistrie girl.
You go girl!!!Great job.!!!
We are happy for you Mrs. Louis Blyden. Your mother is saying in heaven “well done my daughter You have made me, your dad, brothers, sisters, extended family and the whole of DOMINICA proud. A lot of the world do not know about DOMINICA, and we are happy you have put us on the “WORLD WIDE WEB”. I know the Prime Minister is also RROUD of you, no matter what.Let us all Dominican rejoyce is ours, and we all should never give up on our dreams. “KEEP HOPE ALIVE” “NEVER GIVE UP”
I like your alot.true vibes!
“Praise the Lord”, we are happy to have this young lady making Dominica proud. We should rejoyce. Especially, she was bread and raised in Dominica, she has put the icing on the cake in America, and she is going to come back to live in Dominica, what a blessing. No matter our differences, give praise where praise is due. We Dominicans should never give up. Keep hope alive for all Dominicans young and old. We are in this together. “Praise the Lord”. Dominica produces everything good. “Amen” We Know the PM is also Proud.
Yes! We all are…!
Congrats to her on becoming a published author ………hmm she aint too easy on the eyes nuh…..lmao I dont care how many thumbs down I get for saying this…….#just my two cents
Way to go…. Coulibistrie on the map buoy…Congrats!
Coulibistrie is alway on the map. It has never been erased.
I’m glad you are proud.
I remembered u at st . Joseph school. You were in a jogher grade. Congrats to u.
I remembered u at st . Joseph school. You were in a higher grade. Congrats to u.
Dreams cannot be realised in DOminica, at least not until we have things in place for it. A better economy, fairness, a future (promising one). Good job, I knew you growing up. Keep it up.
A Dominican doing something so positive and we are getting thumbs down. Well we have some real haters there. The more you hate this girl the more she strides forward. So sorry for you thumbs down.
CONGRATTS girl, Mr. Louis Nose must be up in the air and he deserves that. Good luck on your future accoplishments. You make us proud.
Too bad!! All the haters need to get a life and do something positive for themselves and their country.
congrats mr Louis here goes you daughter
Congratulations
sweety do your thing
She looking like Louise that driving the PM
His sister
her brother
Yes his sister, but he is no longer a Police Officer. No longer driving the PM.
Congratulation! your Dad and the rest of the louis family must be very proud of you girl. You came from hard working family and you are doing well keep it up.
Way to go Marls
As one who grew up with you, attended your Almater and later worked together only for a brief stint, I feel VERY proud of you and your accomplishments. Always saw the greatness in you and knew that you had the capacity to affect generations and most certainly your writing will transcend generations. The sky is the limit and you are already making quite a name for yourself. I am pretty such that heaven rejoices because it is HE who has made ALL this happen to and for you! To be able to accomplish all this means that you have alot of family support and this is for them too. Be blessed my friend and SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
congratulations on all your accomplishments.
Congrats marls I remembered when u taught me in grade 5 I always admired u ..conngratz again
Wow!!Congratulations Marlene I agree with you on this point: “No one chose their family of origin, ethnicity, culture or country of birth. Therefore, the onus is on each individual to make the best of their given circumstances. It is OK to hang on to the positive, and let go of the negative aspects of your upbringing.” I can just imagine how proud your Dad is your achievements because I sure am. that your dad
congrats marls on the venture all the best
baby j
ur book will touch many lives including me. congrats. job well done
she did not attend the St.Joseph Secondary School.,, She attended The St.Joseph Campus ,Grammar School. keep it straight.
Yes, St Joseph Campus of the Dominica Grammar School. It was after Hurricane David. I taught there, I know the name. (Now it has a new name)
By marlenes year it was st joseph secondary school
when she started it was the St.Joseph Campus but by the time she graduated it was the St . Joseph secondary school
true…we graduated together
This book is a non-biased cultural exposé. It will open the eyes of readers and give a fresh perspective of culture and people.
Congratulations Marls……keep it up
Positive positive… I wish u much success and blessings!
Dominicans are smart and can achieve much!
Love it!!!!! Congrats dear one! Keep it going.
Congrats Cuz.
Am proud to be from coulibistrie…….congrats
Sounds like an interesting read. would like to own a copy.
Congratulations. I am sooooooo proud of you. I pray you achieve all your dreams from Dominica to beyond. I will purchase a few copies as gifts to family and friends on Amazon(?). God bless.
Congratulation is in order to you Maria, for this great inspiration. Hope I can lay my hands on this book
congrats…
Elated about this milestone..Keep going for it Marls.
Congrats! Sounds interesting.
Girl you looking like Rhoda, you just fairer.
cogratulations sister, God bless and you are highly favoured, your sis Rhods is rooting and
supporting u full time…May Yaweh continue to
keep u and family hooray for DA
Congratulations from Sister #1 hailing from Florida. Keep up the good work. God is in control. Louis-Larocque Love forever.
Meme bete, meme poile. One father, one mother, all look alike in that family. We even sound alike.