#desirada

[nathalynampremkaur]

[iandeleonarts]

Desirada -- A NEW CONCEPTION OF IDENTITY

MC: The specific problem is that one always asks me, a West Indian, the question "Where are you from?" as if to say "Define yourself!" Since I am black, people want me to emphasize Africa. I was in Africa, though, and I realized that race is less important than culture. I cannot say that I am African. I must say I am West Indian. Then someone says, "You are West Indian, but you don't live in the West Indies. You don't speak Creole, or very little. By what criteria do you define your West Indian-ness?" You see, I constantly have to justify my identity. Finally, one day, I came to the conclusion that I was going to stop justifying myself. Too bad for everyone else! Perhaps we can say that I chose my identity and that I was going to stick by it. Marie-Noelle [in Desirada] doesn't know who her father is, and she doesn't know her own family history very well because there are a lot of gaps in it. Her mother gives her one version. Her grandmother another. Everyone around her lies. Thus, she finally says to herself, "It doesn't matter. I am going to live as I am." I think that one has to define one's identity personally without worrying too much about other people. 

- AN INTERVIEW WITH MARYSE CONDE

[voirlesphotos-blog]

#desirade #desirada #island #ile aux #iguanes #lezards #ugly #laid #herbivores #