Dr Hakim Adi - My First Interview

So quick blog post to tell you guys the interview went well, I was totally worried but I found that it was quite calm and I enjoyed it. We talked about a lot of interesting topics, some in relation to literature others not. I am hoping to publish the interview within the next two weeks ... I know I am such a tease right? but guys I want to make sure its perfect for you! So keep watching this space for updates.

But for now to soothe your broken hearts check out this three part interview with Dr.Adi , which I found quite interesting, its an interview that made me realise the extent of my ignorance in terms of international relations.

So check it out ! because ..... knowledge is power! Although sometimes knowledge is painful too so maybe ignorance is better ... okay so I am going to stop before I get philosophical.


LINK TO PART TWO
LINK TO PART THREE

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11/07

Absence of postcolonial texts at GCSE level ignores that English literature was always worldly

So, I just found this article by typing postcolonial in the google search bar ! Amazing the gems you can find on the internet. I think this has been an ongoing debate throughout Britain's more integrated years; its a question which I have also found myself asking also whether or not children should be taught about post-colonial literature. I think its an important part of english especially for post-colonial descendants, I think learning your ancestors had a role in something so cultural and majestic would prove detrimental to the mindframe of young british immigrants or children of immigrants. However I do understand that we are in England and that children are taught English literature, should children be not taught about the land of which they stay? Which begs me to question, is it the role of the government to promote world literature or should that role be awarded to the parents  themselves who want to keep their culture alive for generations to come? 

but what's your opinion ?

http://theconversation.com/absence-of-postcolonial-texts-at-gcse-level-ignores-that-english-literature-was-always-worldly-27352

F.

10/07

African Love Stories

So I went on a little shopping spree yesterday, what can I say mamma need a new selection of books. So I ordered about eight books, but out of all the eight I have got to admit I was particularly excited about one, that being; "African Love Stories" which is an anthology (a literary collection of short stories) edited by Ama Ata Aidoo  (who is going to be in conversation at the Conference Centre, British Library on Sat 12 Jul 2014, 18.30-20.00). So me being the eager reader I am, I ordered the books on next day delivery. Its about 12:50pm right now, the post man arrived at about 11am and I have read about a third of the anthology, it started of as just reading the introduction, then one entry, then two ... and well you know the rest. I literally had to force myself to put it down so I can get on with other things I had planned for my day. This anthology interestingly ties back to my first entry where I discussed the idea of relating to either the protagonist or other characters within a text. Even Ama feels like it too! She makes an interesting point in her introduction; 

"Meanwhile for the average,black female, young or adult, the reality was truly unspeakable. Since there was no black versions of even these romances, she was expected to identify with the white heroine!"    (p.viii)

Aidoo makes this point in relation to the love stories that exist both in the western canon such as "Romeo and Juliet" and more modern texts such as Mills and boons texts. She highlights that often texts such as African Love Stories are not promoted and black women are left without a heroine to relate too.

So basically I am thinking the reason why I am slightly obsessed with this text is because I think I believe I can relate to the characters? Because they are black ... sounds a tad silly doesn't it when I say it like that? Well I think that is how I felt when I began reading the text but after reading a few stories, I don't think the latter is true... even with their skin colour closer to mine that what of Juliet's would have been, I am still not content.  From the few stories I have read the stories are about slightly older women who are coming from abroad marrying white men and going back to the homeland with them and basically working through their issues. Whilst there are aspects of these texts I can relate too, I cannot fully , because in the country where they feel foreign and are considered foreign, I feel at home. Nevertheless this anthology is still amazing, it gives a chance for colonial relationship problems to be put forward and discussed such as collisions of culture and their effect of the relationships of inter-racial couples.  I would say from what I have read so far if your looking for a twist on the usual canonical love story, this is the book for you. I would rate this book  3 and half stars. So check it out. 

F.

(2/07/2014)

Calling all Londoners ... and those who can reach London

Check out these great events on this month!

http://africawrites.org/

F.