University of Toronto Magazine University of Toronto Magazine

The African-Canadian Experience

George Elliott Clarke explores the African-Canadian experience in a new collection of essays

Despite the influence of African-American culture, African-Canadian literature has a distinct history and deals with issues all Canadians hold in common. That is the message of Odyssey Home: Mapping African-Canadian Literature (U of T Press, 2002), a collection of essays by English professor George Elliott Clarke. Clarke investigates how African-Canadian writers – in both fiction and non-fiction – have addressed issues of identity, racism and colonialism in Canada since 1785. “Our population consists of people with roots going back centuries as well as the more recent arrivals from the Caribbean, Africa, South America and the United States,” says Clarke. “It’s an exciting mixture of people who don’t necessarily share the same world views, religion or language but who do share an experience of displacement, colonialism, slavery and racism.” Nevertheless, African-American models will continue to influence African-Canadian ones because of what Clarke calls “the dynamic and successful cultural example of African-Americans” in their long struggle to achieve equality.

Recent Posts

Nisha Pahuja, wearing a black 3/4 sleeve top and black-framed glasses, sitting on a chair at a corner next to potted plants in front of large windows, with sunlight flooding the room

Fighting for Justice

In her latest documentary, filmmaker Nisha Pahuja tackles a most difficult topic – sexual assault

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. One Response to “ The African-Canadian Experience ”

  2. Jim Kinney says:

    George you have been dancin' away from me like a butterfly in a breeze. I have called, written and my words die like a lost albatross on an unknown and anonymous ocean. I am not the sentimental type but I would like you to meet a young artist friend of mine Quentin "Vercetty" Lindsay. Check him out at:
    http://www.youdunknow.org/

    Be sure to check out his Spoken Word section. May your muse always whisper in your heart!