Photograph: Dionne Brand
Photograph
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Consider the following lines from a Dionne Brand poem:
“History will only hear you if you give birth to a woman who smoothes starched linen in the wardrobe drawer who gives birth to a woman who is a poet, and even then.”
What do you notice about the quote? What is its impact on you as you read it? What does it tell you about what different generations had to endure? What does it mean to be “seen”?
THINK
Consider the following lines from a Dionne Brand poem:
“History will only hear you if you give birth to a woman who smoothes starched linen in the wardrobe drawer who gives birth to a woman who is a poet, and even then.”
In pairs or small groups, discuss the following:
- Who do you think the author is talking about?
- What does diaspora mean, and how might it relate to this quote?
- What do you think this quote means when you think about whose stories we hear in historical contexts?
DO
Dionne Brand’s work often concerns itself with stories of immigrants. Think of a time when you were in a situation where you didn’t feel you belonged (it can be any situation that you feel comfortable sharing).
Write a short paragraph (fictional if you feel more comfortable with that) describing where you were, how you felt, and what you saw/smelled and could touch. You can share your paragraphs with your classmates or teacher if you choose.
Details
Date January 19, 2005
Materials - Photograph
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- This is a photograph of Dionne Brand. an award-winning Canadian poet, author, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
- Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
- Her work explores themes such as race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience and frequently explores themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Brand’s importance to Canadian literature lies partly in her ability to challenge traditional narratives, and her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience. She frequently explores the complexities of belonging and displacement and themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.
- This is a photograph of Dionne Brand. an award-winning Canadian poet, author, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
- Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
- Her work explores themes such as race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience and frequently explores themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Brand’s importance to Canadian literature lies partly in her ability to challenge traditional narratives, and her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience. She frequently explores the complexities of belonging and displacement and themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.
Summary
- This is a photograph of Dionne Brand. an award-winning Canadian poet, author, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
- Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
- Her work explores themes such as race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
Essential
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience and frequently explores themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.
In-Depth
This is a photograph of Dionne Brand, a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and documentary filmmaker.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953, Brand moved to Toronto in 1970.
One of Canada’s most accomplished poets, she is a former poet laureate of Toronto and has won the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian literature.
Brand’s importance to Canadian literature lies partly in her ability to challenge traditional narratives, and her work provides a unique perspective on the Black Canadian and immigrant experience. She frequently explores the complexities of belonging and displacement and themes related to race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
She has held various teaching positions at universities across Canada and the United States.