Ep. 78: The Fabric of Words: Caribbean Women Weaving History in Literature with Dr. Warren Harding

As we weave through Women's History Month and International Women's Day, the  patchwork of Caribbean women's literature takes center stage. With scholar Dr. Warren Harding, we celebrate the novels and poetry that carve out a space for the stories of Caribbean women. Our conversation turns the pages of history, culture, and activism, as Dr. Harding shares the profound influence of storytellers like Miss Lou and his own family's narratives on his Jamaican heritage and academic focus.

Caribbean women's voices unfold in our discussion on the role of these writers in painting a nuanced portrait of their communities, both at home and in the diaspora. We acknowledge the diversity within these stories, showcasing how they lay the groundwork for dialogues on marginalization and resistance. Trailblazers like Makeda Silvera and Merle Hodge are brought into the spotlight, illuminating their significant contributions to the literature that serves as a beacon for revolutionary thought.

The final thread of our episode examines the profound impact of Silvera on the writing and publishing industry through Sister Vision Press. We traverse the landscape of narratives that intersect with race, gender, and citizenship, celebrating how these stories from Michelle Cliff to Edwidge Danticat enrich our literary horizons. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of Caribbean literature and a heartfelt invitation to embrace these compelling voices in their own exploration of the written word.

*Noted Correction: Sister Vision Press was founded in 1985.

Dr. Warren Harding is an Assistant Professor of English, General Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University.  His work engages practices of reading, Black feminist literary and cultural criticism, and literary fieldwork in contemporary Caribbean and Afro-diasporic literary cultures. In his first monograph, tentatively titled Migratory Reading: Black Caribbean Women and the Work of Literary Cultures, he uses interviews, archival research, and close reading to study the interventions of five women: Rita Cox, Makeda Silvera, Merle Hodge, Soleida Ríos and M. NourbeSe Philip.Prior to Binghamton, he was the Diversity in Digital Publishing Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University Digital Publications where he supported the conceptualization, research and administration of a set of public-facing faculty digital publications that center the history and experience of oppressed or marginalized peoples. He earned his PhD in Africana Studies from Brown University in 2021.

View the Strictly Facts Syllabus for more resources on this episode.