Kwame McPherson, the Jamaican author, expressed that his visit to Abu Dhabi was a valuable opportunity to explore new cultures and strengthen literary connections between Emirati and Jamaican writers. He emphasized the significant potential for growth and development in the relationship between the Emirati literary scene and Caribbean literature.
He characterized the UAE as an ideal environment for the exchange of creative ideas and cultural openness.
This statement came during his participation in a panel discussion at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, where he discussed winning the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize after entering the competition nine times. McPherson highlighted that his award-winning story addressed historical events related to the burning of racially mixed communities in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, shedding light on the struggles of veterans and racial minorities.
He emphasized that his literary goal is to raise awareness of marginalized histories through narratives that reveal human suffering and broaden the understanding of humanity.
McPherson revealed that his novel “Ocoee” is in the process of being adapted into a film, which he considers a significant step in bringing Caribbean literature to a wider global audience.
In recounting his literary journey, he noted that his early educational environment focused heavily on Western literature, often overlooking local works. This situation began to change gradually, thanks to the successes of internationally acclaimed Jamaican authors like Marlon James, a Booker Prize winner. He affirmed that Jamaican literature draws strength from a long history of suffering associated with slavery and colonialism, giving it a distinctive character that reflects struggles with identity and self-discovery.
He pointed out that discovering his literary voice resulted from a long journey of reading and reflecting on personal and collective experiences, which contributed to the development of his narrative style over time. He highlighted that the writing process has never been easy, as he continuously seeks to uncover new voices and methods that reflect his creative uniqueness.
McPherson shared that he has written in various literary genres, from science fiction to historical novels, sometimes using pseudonyms to distinguish between his different styles and meet the expectations of his audience for each literary work.
He concluded by reiterating the importance of continuing to share stories inspired by global events, noting that history remains a primary source of inspiration in his literary endeavors.