Decolonial Daughter

In Decolonial Daughter, a mother reflects on her experiences as a Black woman in Europe, addressing themes of identity, migration, and the legacy of colonialism.

In Decolonial Daughter: Letters from a Black Woman to her European Son, Trinidadian-American writer and activist Lesley-Ann Brown shares her heartfelt journey as a Black mother in Europe. Through a series of poignant letters to her son, Brown delves into the complexities of migration, identity, and nationhood, examining how these themes intersect with the historical traumas of forced migration, imprisonment, and genocide faced by Black and Indigenous peoples. Her reflections are rooted in personal experience, providing a unique perspective on the challenges of raising a child in a post-colonial context.

Having relocated from Brooklyn to Copenhagen over eighteen years ago, Brown grapples with her family's legacy against the backdrop of a world that claims to be post-racial. In Decolonial Daughter, she articulates the struggles and triumphs of navigating motherhood while confronting the realities of systemic inequality and cultural dislocation. The letters serve not only as a means of communication with her son but also as a powerful commentary on the historical narratives that shape their lives.

Through her writing, Brown seeks to bridge the past with the present, crafting a narrative that challenges the notion of progress in a society that often overlooks its own history. By sharing her experiences from a country often dubbed 'The Happiest Place in the World,' she offers an essential alternative to prevailing dystopian views, inviting readers to reflect on the deeper implications of identity and belonging in a globalized world.