Life for the average human is filled with joy and pain; it involves work, friends, family and a need to connect to others and to nature. Yet when we think of these very ordinary matters, rarely do we think of black people. In film, television, magazines and books, both the imagined and real protagonists tend to be white.
In your introduction, you speak briefly about injecting a new meaning into the word “diversity”... how would you describe the new meaning or definition of diversity you are trying to create through your book? Diversity could be shorthand for black. It could be shorthand for immigration. It could be shorthand for queer. It could be shorthand for a lot of things, and I really wanted to come to terms with what diversity in blackness is. When folks think about what black writing can be, there seems to be a particular type of narrative. For example, just how black folks came to be in Canada is a very specific narrative.
French was pitched this project by the University of Regina Press, and agreed to being the editor of the collection.You also say you aren’t interested in “asking people to see our humanity, you’re just here to celebrate it.” ... How do you think Black Writers Matter celebrates our humanity and why is it necessary to not “ask others” to see it?
I think asking to be seen is a very human thing, particularly if you’re coming from a community or a group where you’re often ignored, or at first made to feel invisible. Constantly being asked to be seen, or to have your humanity acknowledged, or having to ask for space, becomes a belittling of your spirit. My thought process was to celebrate our humanity because it’s there. We’ve already proven that to ourselves and to our community.