Decolonising Creative Writing Conference presentation

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Gilbert, Francis; Leena, Dhingra and Steve, Roberts. 2020. 'Decolonising Creative Writing Conference presentation'. In: Decolonising Creative Writing. United Kingdom 11 December 2020. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Decolonising Creative Writing FGilbert 12th Dec 2020.pptx - Presentation
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Abstract or Description

The traditional ways of thinking about subjects are being questioned in ways that they never have before. The Black Lives Matter movement has led to significant social and intellectual change across the globe with statues being removed, laws being changed and racist views being challenged in ways they haven’t been before.

But what of creative writing? Despite the fact that there are many new and diverse voices coming to the fore, has the question been asked: can we decolonise creative writing? For centuries, creative writers have both promoted and challenged colonialism, but has any serious thought been given to decolonising the subject? While other disciplines are being examined in these terms, creative writing for a variety of reasons has been ignored as a focus for decolonisation.

This conference aims to redress this situation. Its keynote speaker Toni Giselle Stuart, is a South African poet & performer whose work re-imagines and re-writes African and diasporic histories, by centering the perspectives of black and indigene women. She is also an experienced creative educator, who will interweave her talk with practical creative exercises for participants, which can be taken into the classroom.

In other talks, outlined below, academics, teachers and post-graduates on the MA in Creative Writing and Education will provide insights and creative prompts to get all delegates thinking about the vital concepts.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Lecture)

Keywords:

decolonising the curriculum, intersectionality, colonialism, creative writing, Leena Dhingra, Steve Roberts, Thomas Macauley, Nelson Mandela, Joan Anim-Addo, Dierdre Osborne, MA in Black British Literature

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