Editorial.Black literature and art are at the nexus of Black identity in the Canadian mosaic. The recent recognition of our writers marks the turning point in the advancement of our literature, especially in the academies. Writers such as Austin (Tom) Clarke, George Elliott Clarke George Elliott Clarke (born February 12 1960) is a Canadian poet and playwright. Born in Windsor Plains, Nova Scotia, he has spent much of his career writing about the black communities of Nova Scotia and served for a time in the African-American Studies department at Duke , Cecil Foster Cecil Foster (born September 26, 1954) is a Canadian novelist and essayist. Born in Bridgetown, BarbadosBarbados]], he emigrated to Canada in 1979. Currently, he lives in Rockwood, Ontario and serves as a professor of sociology and anthropology at the University of Guelph. , H. Nigel Thomas, Dionne Brand and George Boyd, and artists such as Anthony Joyette, Pamela Edmonds and others, have contributed to the community's standing in Canada. The literary and artistic challenges facing the Black writer and Black artist are ones of audiences. The white society recognizes the contribution being made by these individuals, but the Black community is yet to promote the talent of its own cultural and linguistic guardians. Austin Clarke's Giller prize, Jan Carew's CARICOM CARICOM: see Caribbean Community and Common Market. literary prize, George Elliott's Portia White prize The Portia White Prize is the largest prize of its type awarded by the Province of Nova Scotia and is named for Portia White, a Nova Scotian artist who rose through adversity to achieve international acclaim as a classical singer on the stages of Europe and North America. Alexei's Trillium and Dinne Brand's Governor General's award Since their creation in 1937, the Governor General's Literary Awards have become one of Canada's most prestigious prizes, awarded in both French and English in seven categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children's Literature (Text), Children's Literature (Illustration), are testimonies to the talent, creative energy and literary craftsmanship that are evident in the Black community. What is needed now is a Canadian Black forum from which to pay tribute to the works of Black writers and artists. There are enough Black businesses and intellectuals who could establish an award system for people of colour in Canada. We need to honour our living writers and artists. Honour has its place and it's certainly not for the dead. Kola kola: see cola. will continue to be a voice for established as well as aspiring writers. Let us proclaim that which is culturally and artistically relevant to our lives in Canada. For the years ahead, it is important to set up icons for young writers and artists to emulate. Help us to build monuments as we seek to explore our places as points of light in the northern sky. November 2003 |
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