Makeda silvera biography of michael

Makeda Silvera born in Kingston, Jamaica is a Jamaican Canadian novelist and short story writer. Silvera emigrated to Canada at the age of 12 with her family, and currently lives in TorontoOntario. She published two volumes of short stories in the s before releasing her first novel, The Revenge of Mariainfollowed by The Heart Does Not Bend in An out lesbian[ 1 ] she cofounded Sister Vision Presswith Stephanie Martin inand worked and as managing editor, edited a number of anthologies, including Piece of My Heartthe first North American anthology of literature by lesbians of colour.

Mays, Karin Aguilar-San Juan, Milagros Paredes, and Nice Rodriguez, Silvera creates an enduring testimony to the inextricable connection between literature and social activism for innumerable multi-ethnic and multi-racial lesbians.

Makeda silvera biography of michael

However, she found no reflection of herself or her experience in the books, television programmes or classes available to her. Silvera stated that she became involved with writing as activism when, while working as a journalist for a Black community newspaper in the early s, she was assigned to cover controversy over the move to deport large numbers of Caribbean domestic workers from Canada.

She investigated the agreements between the Canadian and various Caribbean governments, covered the protests and listened to the stories of some of the workers. However, she was soon taken off the story because the editors felt that her reporting showed too much of a bias. Her interest piqued, Silvera did not abandon the story. She continued to interview domestic workers and worked with them to edit their oral histories.

Until that point, books on domestic workers were written by academics, said Silvera, and did not include the voices of the women themselves. The difficulties she encountered trying to get the book published led Silvera and her partner, Stephanie Martin, to start a press on their own, despite their lack of experience with the publishing business.

At the time, there were virtually no books published by people of colour in Canada. Sister Vision sought to create a place for writers such as Silvera's friend Dionne Brand, who recently won a Governor General's award for her writing. Brand new copy. These writers speak through poems and essays, as well as through the telling of their own life stories.

They discuss racism in the women's movement, homophobia, the connections between oppression, spirituality, women of color as writers, and the necessity to bring about change. Family loyalty, betrayal and the redemptive power of love are at the heart of this poignant and unforgettable novel set in Canada and Jamaica. When Maria Galloway dies, she leaves everything to her spoiled, wayward grandson, Vittorio.

Her only granddaughter, Molly, whom she raised from infancy, is left to confront the unyielding bitterness Maria harboured against her. When Maria decides that things might get better if she leaves Jamaica and joins her adult children in Canada, she takes Molly with her. Silver, Joel Silver, Joan Micklin —. Silver, Joan Micklin. Silver, Harold M.

Silver, Eve Eve Kenin. Silver, Eliezer. Silver, Edward S. Silverberg, Robert Silverberg, Robert —. Silverburg, Sanford R. Silverfish and Fire Brats: Thysanura. Silveri, Paolo. Silverio of St. Silverius, Pope, St. Silverius, Saint. Silverman v. United States U. Silverman, Al —. Silverman, Alexander. Silverman, Erica —.