The Forsaken Lover: White words and black people

The Forsaken Lover is a 1972 book by Chris Searles that explores the identity issues faced by black people in a Caribbean society where they are educated in a cultural context that denies them their own identity. The book is full of children's own writing and urges change in language and education policies and attitudes. It is of interest to students of race and ethnic relations, education, linguistics, and public policy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Forsaken Lover, originally published in 1972, delves into the profound issues of identity faced by black individuals who must navigate the complexities of the white man's language. Through his experiences as an English teacher in a secondary school in Tobago, Chris Searles highlights the inherent biases and prejudices embedded within the white man's language, which seek to uphold the pride and culture of the white man while denying the black man his rightful autonomy.

The impact of this linguistic colonization is particularly evident in the education of black children. They are still taught within a cultural context that denies them their own identity, perpetuating the notion that their success lies in emulating white characteristics and adopting a whitewashed perspective. This relentless pressure to conform to white standards undermines their sense of self and perpetuates a cycle of self-hatred and disempowerment.

In The Forsaken Lover, Chris Seale presents a captivating and forthright account of his own experiences. The book is filled with the creative expressions of the children themselves, encompassing poetry, prose, and drama. By incorporating their words, Searle compellingly argues for the need to transform language and education policies to address these pressing issues. While the Caribbean serves as the immediate backdrop, the concerns raised in the book are universal, applicable to societies where differences in color, class, and environment exist.

The Forsaken Lover holds immense interest for students and scholars engaged in the study of race and ethnic relations, education, linguistics, and public policy. It offers a valuable lens through which to examine the complexities of identity, language, and power dynamics, shedding light on the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by black individuals in societies worldwide.

Weight: 381g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032442051