Adversarial Affiliations: Regional Caribbean Publishing and International Postcolonial Theory
While the early 21st century begins a prolific era for Caribbean writing, it is a time of decline for indigenous Caribbean publishing. Though there has been a rise in the number of publishing houses, many have closed down over the years and there are few new publishers to replace them. Caribbean publishing has had a long hard struggle from under the reign of British colonial rule, the freedom of the post-independence era, and the threat of American neo-colonialist corporate activity. Unfortunately, the postcolonial success of diasporic Caribbean writers has been one of the many factors that have contributed to the decline of Caribbean publishing. Yet, without the diasporic influence, it would have been difficult for Caribbean feminist publishers to find an audience and writers. However, when theorists maintain a diasporic paradigm of Caribbeanness, they stunt the growth of opportunities for all regional Caribbean publishers, feminist or not. Therefore, I am advocating what Gordon Rohlehr calls for in his Guyana Prize address, state-sponsored funding for regional Caribbean publishing. I propose that theorists reform current theoretical discourse about the Caribbean diaspora as that discourse disarms regional Caribbean publishing and arms neocolonial corporate agendas.
Keywords: Publishing, Caribbean, Diaspora, Postcolonial Theory
Katherine E. Verhagen
Graduate Student, English & |
Ref: B06P0218