Dr. Badjie launches ‘Life as a Hyphen’ book

 

Author: Pa Modou Cham

As there are numerous ways that books influence our lives and give us insight into how other people live, Dr. Ismail D. Badjie, recently launched his new book titled ‘Life as a Hyphen’, a book that influences our thoughts on social issues.

Dr. Badjie, an influential writer graduated his high school at The Gambia Senior Secondary in 2003 before vacating for his medical undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University in the United States of America is a medical expert and entrepreneur who is currently investing in the country’s health sector.

 

Dwelling on his impulse to write this book, Dr. Badjie explained that as a grown-up, he acknowledged the journey of self-exploration that happened in his late 20s ranging from spirituality, health, relationships, and lots of dogmas that he thinks individuals need to have a prospect to challenge lots of beliefs what were installed in them at a very young age.

He said: “Once my daughter, Isha Haddy was born, I realized I had not only a lot of questions about a lot of aspects of my life, my surroundings and upbringings, especially being American-Gambian, spending so many years of my life in the Gambia and end up the rest of my life in the USA. Just aspect of different cultures but I also realized that at some point, my daughter will want to understand her father in a way that only I should have the right to tell her.”

On what should be accomplished for Gambian content to make spirals on international platforms, especially on socio-media, the spicy author stated that social commentary that is formative is lacking in our society while reiterating that social media is good in rapid information but it diluted intellectual conversations that require more a 140 character twit. He added that everybody seems to be yelling at each other and that we are in a time and space where if you want to articulate your thoughts, social media may not be the best platform but being able to present it in a book.

“Nobody owns the international platforms and I think a lot of young people are creative and have something to say that matters so much and there is a hunger and appetite for stories that are for us on the international platforms.”

On his advice to young writers, he explained that if one is writing anything that has to do with facets of his/her life, it requires a lot of intrepidity while saying that once it’s published, it’s up for interpretation and exposing oneself. He continued that a lot of people may not consume it but the few that do may find value.

When asked what exertions can be done knowing that many Gambians don’t write long content, he replied that the passion for reading starts at a very young age, and a lot of Gambians are not empowered to challenge belief systems that are ongoing in them.

On how writing can pitch into the socio-economic evolution of the country, he noted that has to start with candid and tough conversations that are lacking. The talented writer is looking forward to Gambians consuming his book and starting to use it as a platform to spark much-needed dialogue in terms of building the country. Dr. Badjie’s book can be found at Timbuktu, Kairo Café, Amazon and Audio Book.