Sylvia Wynter's Dream

Transcription of 5 minute excerpt
(6:57 – 12:28) below:

Natalia Downer (Interviewer): Did you think about having your book published here in Jamaica? Or elsewhere?

Stephanie Downer (Interviewee): Hm. I was thinking about [nervous chuckling] — having it published elsewhere I guess.

[Combined laughter]

And do you have a reason for that?

No, to be honest I never really thought about it fully — ahm — [a short burst of laughter] I guess it could be published here.

Are you aware of the types of books that they — that we publish here in Jamaica?

Well, well — why? Ok let me-let me ahm — reverse. Ah, it would probably be — better for me if it’s published elsewhere because it’s — my book is not going to be judged — ahm — my book is not going to be a — just a ‘Jamaicanized’ book; It’s going to be dealing with, like I seh, mostly religious issues which are here…but…sometimes our West Indian Literature books ha- they-they might want a particular type of book dealing with — more —political and — ahm — [kisses teeth] what’s the word, what’s the word? Ahm, social issues and whatever that — that are very, you know — common in the Caribbean and so…yes religion is, I mean part of that, but it might not get the, sort of — they mightn’t want to — maybe — publish it, I don’t know. So, I figure that it might not fit the — requirements of what would be accepted here, I don’t know, but I just figure I’d have a better chance, if it is — published elsewhere.

Wow, that’s food for thought. Indeed, indeed. So, are you aware of the issues surrounding the expectations of Jamaican or Caribbean writers? It sounds like you do. I suppose you touched on it awhile ago so we can skip over that question. So, I want you to do this for me. Can you tell me how you define a Jamaican writer? How do you define a Jamaican writer? Is it someone that lives in Jamaica and writes?

I figure a Jamaican writer would be somebody who is born in Jamaica, has grown up in Jamaica, has spent most of their life in Jamaica — or at least somebody who, even if they haven’t spent most of their life here, they have — Jamaican —

Lineage? Heritage?

Right. And are exposed to, you know, our culture and — what happens here. So, in other words, they’d have knowledge — enough, a lot — knowledge about our country and our culture and — stuff like that.

And wha — what do you think the content of a Jamaican writer would be about? Do you think it has to be specific to Jamaica and shared experiences etcetera, or?

I don’t think so. I don’t think, I don’t think just because you are a Jamaican writer or a Caribbean writer that you must be restricted to only writing West Indian Literature.

I agree with that.

I think, I mean, we should be able to write about — just about anything we want to write about. It just so happens that we are from Jamaica. So, if you want to say that, ahm, Jamaica, like, let’s say you do very well and whatever. Yes Jamaica will get the — you know, a Jamaican writer did this. But, I don’t think that just because we are from the Caribbean or we from a particular country you–we have to be restricted to just writing about issues and s– — ahm — stories about that country or — that — region.

Region. [light chuckle] I wholly agree with you. So, I-I kinda want to revisit a question from earlier, but with a little twist. Do you think that any of the fear of telling me what your upcoming work is about has anything to do with the expectations placed on you as a Jamaican writer? Or is it — some other reason? [light laughter] Is it just that you’re not ready to share it yet? Or, you think that has something to do with it?

Well, I — nnnnnno, just not ready to share it yet. [Light laughter]

Ok.

“I’m heading in a particular direction but I could change, you know, so I don’t want to — get into — the nitty gritty of it yet.

That’s true, that’s true. I completely understand. So, I have one more question for you Mrs. Downer. Is there anything you’d like to say to the Jamaican writers who wish to be celebrated for deciding to write about non conventionally Jamaican things, those who try to break the mold?

I’d say go for it. The sky’s the limit, don’t be restricted in what you want to write. Write what you — want to write about, write how you feel. Whatever. Don’t be restricted to a — country, a region, a culture.

Amen. Here, here to that. Short, simple, sweet — perfect answer. Once again Mrs. Downer, than you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me. it was such a pleasure having you here, and I can’t wait to read your published book one day.

Well, I-I thank you so much for having me for this interview, and I certainly hope that my book will [short burst of laughter] — will appeal to you, and that it will — make it, you know? Out there.

I’m sure it will. Thanks again. Goodbye everyone, and thanks for listening.