Once-in-a-Lifetime Wisdom comes to Laurier

By Douglas Clarke

A small but engaged crowd sat in rapt attention at this year’s Nelson Mandela Lecture presented by Laurier’s Tshepo Institute for the study of Contemporary Africa, supported by Laurier Faculty of Arts and the Department of Religion and Culture. Co-hosts Dr. Karen Cyrus (music), director of the Tshepo Institute and Dr. Carol Duncan (Religion and Culture) welcomed 22 students, scholars, and community members on October 30^th, 2025. The guest speaker, Dr. Yvonne Shorter-Brown, held everyone’s attention as she discussed the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica and her own life. Drawing on her book Dead Woman Pickney (WLU Press, 2022), Dr. Brown told stories of growing up in a Jamaica undergoing changes. The imposition of colonial regimes made education difficult, as indigenous knowledge was judged through the lens of the British system. Further, many colonial authorities wielded power that often led to physical (and emotional) confrontations. The subject matter was difficult, but interesting, as some of these remnants are still felt by people in the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and beyond.

Dr. Brown was candid about the struggles she had growing up in such a system and her desire to bring them to light. Now semi-retired after a career in teacher education, Dr. Brown travels and speaks to audiences about the legacy of colonialism in the contemporary world. Everything from mega-corporations to current politics, financial institutions that continue to benefit from money gained through slaveholding, to theories in education that maintain ties to colonial thinking. Nothing was off the table during her lecture.

Dr. Brown brought her inimitable soft-spoken yet thoroughly authoritative style and grace to the talk, generously giving her time not only to speak but also to provide thorough, detailed answers to questions posed by the audience. She was also more than charitable with her time, posing for pictures with many former students and community members who came to hear her speak. While the talk was only about 90 minutes with the Q&A & portion, taking a further 30, it felt as if generations of wisdom had entered the Senate and Board Chamber, enriching all who got to participate. I think everybody in attendance agreed with Dr. Brown when she said, switching to Jamaican Patois, that this talk “made her glad-bag bust” meaning that there was so much goodwill, joy and learning in the room that we all felt like we could burst!

If you are interested in hearing more from Dr. Brown or are interested in the topic, reach out to the Tshepo Institute or the Department of Religion and Culture.