From Amazon to Garden State

CBS Sunday Morning

11 May 201407:39

Summary

TLDRDavid Good's mother, Yara, was from the isolated Yanomami tribe in Venezuela. After marrying an anthropology professor, she moved to New Jersey and became a housewife, raising three children. However, after six years, she chose to return to her tribe, leaving her family behind. David, who was five at the time, struggled with the abandonment and hid his heritage. It wasn't until college that he discovered his mother's story and embraced his roots. He later reunited with Yara and founded the Good Project, a nonprofit aiming to bridge the Yanomami with the modern world.

Takeaways

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 David Good's mother, Yara, was from a remote Yanomami tribe in Venezuela, which was a stark contrast to her life as a housewife in New Jersey.
🌊 Yara's transition from the Amazon jungle to New Jersey was filled with culture shock, as she had never seen modern technology or vehicles before.
💍 Yara was betrothed to David's father, Ken Good, an anthropology professor, who met her during his fieldwork in the Yanomami village.
🚗 Upon arriving in the United States, Yara found the environment and culture to be completely alien, even something as common as a Jeep was unfamiliar to her.
🌱 Yara adapted to life in America, raising three children and being a good mother, despite the immense cultural differences.
💔 After six years, Yara decided she could not return to America and left her family behind, choosing to stay in the jungle with her people.
👦 David, who was five when his mother left, struggled with the absence of his mother and internalized it as abandonment.
📚 In college, David read his father's book about the Yanomami and his mother, which led to a profound change in his perception of his heritage.
🌐 David embarked on a quest to reunite with his mother in the Amazon, overcoming logistical challenges to reach the remote village.
🤝 The reunion between David and Yara was emotional and healing, allowing them to reconnect and understand each other's perspectives.
🌿 David learned valuable life lessons from the Yanomami people about living in harmony with nature and community, which contrasted with modern life.

Q & A

Who is Yara and where is she originally from?
-Yara is David Good's mother, originally from southern Venezuela near the headwaters of the Oronoko River, in the Yanomami territory.
What was Yara's initial reaction to modern transportation like a Jeep?
-Yara's initial reaction to a Jeep was one of fear and confusion, as she thought it was an animal due to her lack of exposure to modern technology and vehicles.
How did Yara adapt to life in New Jersey after living in the Amazon jungle?
-Despite the immense cultural shock, Yara adapted relatively well to life in New Jersey, having three children and being described as an excellent mother.
Why did Yara decide to stay in the Amazon jungle after a visit back home?
-Yara decided to stay in the Amazon jungle because she felt she couldn't go back to America, preferring the familiar environment and lifestyle of her native village.
How did David Good's perception of his mother change over time?
-David initially internalized his mother's leaving as abandonment and felt shame about her background. However, after reading his father's book about her, he came to embrace and be proud of his heritage.
What was David's strategy to avoid questions about his mother during his childhood?
-David lied about his mother's death to stop classmates from asking questions, as the truth about her being in the Amazon jungle was too difficult for him to explain.
What was David's emotional response when he finally met his mother in the Amazon after many years?
-David was nervous and emotional upon meeting his mother, eventually breaking down and crying as he remembered the comforting feeling of having a mother.
What is the 'Good Project' that David started, and what is its purpose?
-The 'Good Project' is a nonprofit organization that David launched to serve as a bridge between the Yanomami people and the rest of the world, facilitating cultural exchange and learning.
How does David feel about his mother's choice to stay in the Amazon after reconnecting with her?
-David has come to understand and respect his mother's choice to stay in the Amazon, recognizing the cultural and personal significance of her decision.
What does David plan to do in the future regarding his relationship with his mother?
-David plans to spend as much time as possible with his mother, cherishing every opportunity to be with her and learning from her way of life.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 From Jungle to Suburbs: Yara's Unimaginable Journey

The first paragraph introduces Yara, a woman from the Yanomami tribe in southern Venezuela, who lived a drastically different life from a typical New Jersey housewife. Yara was betrothed to Ken Good, an anthropology professor, after he lived among her tribe and fell in love with her. The narrative describes Yara's initial shock and adaptation to American culture, including her fear of a Jeep at the airport, which she mistook for an animal. Despite the cultural shock, Yara adapted well, raising three children and being a loving mother. However, after a visit back to her tribe, she decided not to return to America, leaving her family behind and causing her son David to internalize her departure as abandonment.

05:01

🔄 Reconnecting with Roots: David's Quest to Find His Mother

The second paragraph follows David Good's emotional journey as he seeks to reunite with his mother, Yara, after years of estrangement. Despite the challenges of reaching the remote Yanomami village, David's determination leads him to his mother, who is still there and eager to reconnect. The narrative captures the emotional reunion and the weeks they spend together, hunting, gathering food, and reminiscing about their life in New Jersey. David's understanding of his mother's decision to stay with her tribe deepens, and he starts the 'Good Project,' a nonprofit aimed at fostering cultural exchange between the Yanomami and the outside world. The story concludes with a poignant reflection on the universality of family bonds, regardless of cultural differences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Yanomami

The Yanomami are an indigenous people inhabiting the Amazon rainforest, particularly in the border area between Brazil and Venezuela. In the video, Yara, David's mother, is from the Yanomami tribe, which is depicted as one of the most primitive and isolated tribes on the planet. The term 'Yanomami' is central to understanding David's heritage and the cultural divide that his mother experienced when she moved to New Jersey.

💡Cultural Adaptation

Cultural adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to a new and different cultural environment. Yara's journey from the Yanomami tribe to suburban New Jersey exemplifies cultural adaptation. Despite the stark differences, she managed to become a part of her new community and raise a family, showcasing her adaptability.

💡Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and their development. David's father, Ken, is an anthropology professor who studied the Yanomami people, leading him to live among them and eventually marry Yara. His academic interest in the tribe is a significant factor in the family's story.

💡Isolation

Isolation, in the context of the video, refers to the Yanomami's separation from the modern world, living in a way that is vastly different from urban societies. Yara's initial reaction to the outside world, such as hiding from a Jeep, illustrates the extreme isolation of her tribe.

💡Betrothal

Betrothal is a formal agreement to marry, often arranged by the families or communities. Ken and Yara's relationship began with a betrothal, a cultural practice that is significant in understanding their union and the cultural norms of the Yanomami people.

💡Jungle

The jungle, specifically the Amazon rainforest, is the natural habitat of the Yanomami and a central element of the video's narrative. It represents both Yara's roots and the profound disconnect she experienced when she moved to America.

💡Abandonment

Abandonment is the act of leaving someone without intending to return. David felt abandoned when his mother chose to stay in the jungle instead of returning to America with him and his siblings. This feeling of abandonment deeply affected David and is a key emotional theme in the video.

💡Heritage

Heritage refers to the traditions, beliefs, and history that are passed down through generations. David's initial rejection and later embrace of his Yanomami heritage is a transformative journey that the video explores. His understanding and pride in his heritage are pivotal to his personal growth.

💡Quest

A quest is a long or arduous search for something. David's journey to reconnect with his mother and his roots is described as a quest. It signifies his determination to overcome the physical and emotional challenges to find closure and understanding.

💡Nonprofit

A nonprofit organization is a group that operates for a cause other than making a profit. David's establishment of the Good Project, a nonprofit aimed at bridging the gap between the Yanomami and the rest of the world, is an example of his commitment to his heritage and fostering cultural exchange.

💡Rejection and Acceptance

Rejection and acceptance are emotional responses to one's identity or circumstances. David's journey from rejecting his mother and his Yanomami roots to fully embracing them is a central narrative of the video. It reflects a universal theme of self-discovery and reconciliation.

Highlights

Yara, David Good's mother, was a typical New Jersey housewife who had a surprising past as an Amazonian jungle woman.

David's father, Ken Good, an anthropology professor, met Yara while studying the Yanomami tribe in southern Venezuela.

Yara's transition from the Amazon to New Jersey was like traveling through a time machine, facing a completely foreign culture.

Despite the cultural shock, Yara adapted well to her new life, raising three children and being an excellent mother.

After six years, Yara decided she could not return to America, choosing to stay in the jungle with her family there.

David, who was five when Yara left, internalized her departure as abandonment and struggled with his identity.

David's shame and embarrassment about his mother's background led him to lie about her being dead to avoid questions.

A field trip to the Museum of Natural History in New York City brought David's dual identity into stark relief.

David's feelings towards his mother shifted dramatically after reading his father's book about the Yanomami.

David embarked on a quest to reunite with his mother in the Amazon, facing numerous logistical challenges.

The reunion between David and Yara was emotional, with both breaking down in tears upon seeing each other after 20 years.

David spent time with Yara, learning about her life and the Yanomami culture, without questioning her decision to leave.

David launched the Good Project, a nonprofit aimed at bridging the gap between the Yanomami and the rest of the world.

Yara expressed her sadness at David's departures, urging him not to wait too long before returning to visit.

David's story is unique yet universal, highlighting the importance of family and understanding one's roots.