Karen Ford opens up about one Black woman’s thoughts on issues of the day

Book Title: Thoughts of a Fried chicken Watermelon Woman

My dear departed friend, Eyvonne, used to tell the story of being in the grocery store one morning when a man walked up to her and said: “Girl, you remind me of fried chicken and watermelon.”

Writers Biline

Author Name: Karen Ford

Author Bio:Karen Ford has been a freelance journalist over 20 years and written for a number of local, national and international publications including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent magazine, the Citizen Newspapers, Screen Magazine and Lutheran Woman Today. Her corporate clients have included the University of Illinois, the Chicago Labor Education Project, the Illinois Business Development Authority and the Women in Business Yellow Pages. She has written political ad copy for several local and county candidates and co-authored the book “Get That Cutie in Commercials.” She lives in Chicago with her husband.

Question: Speaking of careers, your biography says that you are a freelance journalist. Can you elaborate on that?

Answer: For my entire writing career, I’ve been a freelancer. The best thing about freelancing is that you don’t punch a clock. I write when I want and what I want unless, of course, I’m doing an article for a particular periodical. On the other hand, as a freelancer, you spend more time trying to get work than actually working. You’re always selling yourself and selling your ideas which is a full-time job in itself. The money is terrible because you never know how much you are going to make month to month. You have to decide what’s more important to you if you’re thinking about freelancing.

Question: If you could do anything, what would you do?

Answer: I would love to be a high school teacher or a college professor. The quality of education in this country is so poor, I can’t believe it. We have more information at our fingertips than at any time in history yet our children are as dumb as a box of rocks. Most of them can’t find their cities or states on a map. They have no knowledge of history; they can’t tell time on an analog watch and spell like crap. Most importantly, they are not taught to think. They have no sense of logic and common sense has become a thing of the past. This saddens me but more importantly, it worries me.

Question: What is the most important thing in your life?

Answer: My family and friends. I have more love than anyone person should have. I’m truly blessed.

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Interviewer: Jessica Meyer