CfP (book): Gender stereotypes in the Caribbean
and wider African Diaspora
Call for papers (book chapters) in an edited book that has been accepted for publication by Cambridge University Press (UK). Tentative book title: Fanm se Chatenn, Nonm se Fouyapen dou [Women are Chestnuts, Men are Breadfruits]. This book focuses on gender stereotypes within African-Diasporic populations in the Caribbean and beyond. All papers published as chapters in this work will address issues related to assimilation, identity, the transmission of gender stereotypes (and more) within the Caribbean and its Diaspora.
It has been observed that men and women from the African Diaspora are still often regarded as problematic bodies, the others, the strangers, the intruders, in environments dominated by the institution of whiteness (Ahmed 2000, hooks 2004, Henry 2007). If one understands whiteness as the manifestation of the will of some, accomplishing and fulfilling itself to the detriment of the will of the other, the act of creating stereotypes can be regarded as a strategy to cope with the physical presence of the other. In fact, one can argue that the black, brown, yellow cultures of the others are diced into bite-sized stereotypes which the main culture can masticate, digest and assimilate.
This work endeavours to present a few of the challenges faced by the African Diaspora ‘at home and abroad’ in terms of gender. The book will bring together new scholars and activists passionate about their field, and it is this passion that is communicated through their chapters. Authors who are interested in Caribbean studies, Gender studies, Cultural studies, Transnationalism or Neo-colonialism are strongly encouraged to submit a paper to be included in this book as one of its chapters (the book has been already contracted to be published by Cambridge University Press upon its completion).
Works cited
Ahmed, S. (2000). Strange Encounters: Embodied Others in Post-Coloniality. London, England: Routledge.
Cashmore, E. (1995). The De-Labelling Process: From “lost Tribe” to “Ethnic Group”. In B. Chevannes. Rastafari and Other Caribbean Worldviews. New Jersey: Rutger University Press.
Cooper, C. (2000). Lady Saw Cuts Loose: Female Fertility Rituals in Jamaican Dancehall Culture. Available onhttp://www.jouvay.com/interviews/carolyncooper.htm, retrieved on 21/01/2012
Henry, Wiliam (lez). (2007). Whiteness Made Simple: Stepping into the Grey Zone. London: Nu-beyond Ltd.
hooks, b. (2004). We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity. New York: New York University Press.
Dr. Nathalie Montlouis (Editor)
School of Oriental and African Studies
University College London
Dr. Scooter Pégram (Editorial Assistant)
Minority Studies
Indiana University Northwest
Our thanks to Peter Jordens for sending this item.