Celebrating our (literary) Sisters
What We’re Reading this Black History Month
Hello from London and what seems to be the epicentre of excitement this Black History Month. First observed in October 1987 to mark the 150th anniversary of emancipation in the Caribbean, Black History Month aims to remember and honour the contributions of people of African and Caribbean heritage. 2023’s theme, Saluting our Sisters, celebrates the work of women (many of them forgotten or obscured behind historical revision) towards furthering change, advancement, and social justice. Depending on their remit and mission, organisations, institutions and authorities will focus on black women in industry, science, sport, politics and academia. So at Cayman Connection, we thought that we would take the opportunity to share a selection of authors and books being read, discussed and suggested by members of our Book Club.
Bernardine Evaristo, is a literary powerhouse whose work and activism have paved the way for change and understanding. Evaristo’s multicultural heritage, fascinating early years in theatre and the rapidly changing London, storytelling and recall, profoundly influence her work and enrich her readers. We think her autobiography, Manifesto: On Never Giving Up should be required reading. The book offers readers a profound insight into her life, experiences, and the forces that have shaped her as an individual and as a writer. It’s a powerful testament to resilience and the journey towards self-discovery. Evaristo revisits her multicultural heritage, her experiences growing up as a Black woman in Britain, and her evolution as a writer and activist. She delves into the complexities of identity and the challenges she faced while navigating a society often marked by racism and prejudice.
Manifesto is several books in one volume. It’s a call to action and encourages us all to embrace our identities, regardless of societal expectations of status quo. Her journey from a young girl with dreams to a celebrated author and advocate is both inspirational and empowering. But it’s also a fascinating literary biography, employing lived experience to reveal something of the creative process, the struggles of the publishing world, and the dedication required to succeed in the literary sphere. And if you’re not quite sold on the money and resources that DEI demands, you’ll want to stand up and cheer for equality and change when you’ve finished reading, then go in search for something that you can contribute towards a more equitable society.
Born on November 28, 1959, in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Bernadine became acutely aware of the intricacies of identity, race, and culture growing up. These early experiences laid the foundation for her later exploration of these themes in her writing. She showed a passion for storytelling, creativity and academic pursuits early, ultimately shaping her unique voice as a writer and her commitment to addressing issues of race, gender, and identity. Her work spans across various genres, including novels, poetry, essays, and drama. Her groundbreaking 2019 Booker Prize-winning novel, Girl, Woman, Other tells the stories of twelve characters, highlighting the complexities of their lives, experiences, and identities. Both books are groundbreaking contributions to literature (alas, we wanted to mention her novel Mr. Loverman but ran out of space). Their author is a role model who harnesses the creative arts to portray the world we live in right now, and consider how we could apply our strengths when working to improve it.
