Edjanga Jones, a fiction writer from Madrid, traveled to Michigan State University this semester to share his knowledge and reflection of the Black experience in Spain.
After winning a national scholarship to the United States to finish his fourth novel, Jones visited numerous MSU classes and gave a talk at the African Studies Center that focused on what he learned during his childhood.
Yomaira Figueroa-Vásquez, Associate Professor in the Department of English, was his sponsor for the award from Spain’s Ministerio de Culutra y Deporte para la Direccion General del Libro y Fomento de la Lectura.
“Most of my writing is related to my background in my childhood as a Black child in Spain and the migration of my parents,” Jones said. “I am trying to reflect part of the history of Equatorial Guinea, the history of thousands of persons who left Guinea at a prompt age, and many of them never returned.”
“I could see how the universities work in Michigan, Georgia, and New York, meet students and professors, and share ideas and experiences.”
Jones’ fourth novel has to do with Afrofuturism.
“This novel has an Afrofuturistic perspective. That is not really popular in Spain,” Jones said. “I am interested in how polarization works in the United States. It looks like polarization is taking over the world nowadays, so, from my point of view, it is better to observe this phenomenon from diverse locations.”
Traveling to the United States was a great experience for Jones and his work on his book.
“I could see how the universities work in Michigan, Georgia, and New York, meet students and professors, and share ideas and experiences,” he said. “Overall, reality itself is something challenging to approach. Just talking and living in situations like these could give us a better understanding.”
Jones says he hopes to come back again someday.
“It was the first time for me, coming from Spain to the United States. I was impressed by the commitment of people to develop a better country as a message repeated in each classroom,” Jones said. “I have learned a lot from everyone here — teachers, students. I must go back, definitely.”