Kathy Casimir MacLean’s Black Man Listen: The Life of JR Ralph Casimir just published by Papillote Press (July 2022).
Description (and comments):
“I wanted to write Black Man Listen to honor my grandfather and tell his story as it has so far been left out of our island’s history,” says Kathy Casimir MacLean.
This is the first biography of the pioneering life of JR Ralph Casimir (1898-1986), a Pan-Africanist and poet from Dominica. Calling himself a “New Negro,” for more than half a century he confronted not only colonial rule but the elites of his island. It explores his political activism, in particular his role in Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), where he was a founding member, organizer and also agent of Garvey’s Black Star Line. A teacher, bookbinder and law clerk, he was a poet and editor of Dominica’s first poetry anthologies. This well-researched biography by his granddaughter sheds light on little-known aspects of Dominica’s march to independence.
“We need more biographies of this kind to complicate some of the simplistic narratives that so easily fall into place. Clearly, it was possible to be a black nationalist, Catholic, Eugenia Charles-supporting poet! … Very good idea: impeccably researched and stylishly written.Peter Hulme, Professor of Literature, University of Essex.
“An intimate portrait of a man who dedicated himself to the liberation of his people.” Geoffrey Philip
“I feel much better informed having read this book!” Margaret Busby
“He struggled against great personal odds to fight for change and respect for black people.” Lennox Honychurch
For more information, see https://www.papilotepress.co.uk
