Releasing My Critical Chatter

Releasing My Critical Chatter: An autobiographical Narrative from the Black Diaspora

is a first person narrative of the author’s daily experiences as a woman of African heritage living in the Black Diaspora.

Drawing on Black feminist thought and critical education theories, she theorizes through experiences of racism and sexism in

her daily life as a child, a student, a mother, and a government employee. She presents her critical chatter,

her autobiographical testimonial, through poetry and prose and through a series of ‘moments' that illustrate how

racism and sexism are embedded in her everyday life. She connects personal individual experiences to systemic and

institutional practices of colonialism and patriarchy. She further explores the contradictions, questions and struggle

that doing this work brings, and the implications for curriculum and pedagogy in schools and classrooms.

The author’s testimonial is an act toward social transformation of the spaces and places in which we work and live.

What others say:

“This chatter is a revelation. It unmasks experiences catalogued as belonging to another time, another

place...It cracks white-coloured glasses and illuminates an unacceptably flawed, external lexicon.”

- Michelle Davidson, Instructional Designer

“An insightful study of many things associated with discrimination, including ‘polite’ racism and invisibility… the

‘moments’ and their analyses are a powerful tool which draw the reader in as a participant, resulting in intricate

self-reflection." - Carolyn Gammon, Author, and Guide & Destination Manager

“An affirmation of the adage that ‘it is the wearer of the shoe that knows where it pinches',

and an expose of many falsehoods pertaining to the systemic coloured perception of others," - Matunda Nyanchama,

ICT Professional & Publisher.

About the Author

Mary Louise McCarthy is a woman of African Canadian heritage with a strong sense of justice and equity.

She has a BA in Sociology from York University (’91) and a Masters in Education from University of New Brunswick (‘07),

with a specialization in Critical Studies. Mary is currently in her first year of her PhD at OISE, University of Toronto,

in the area of Sociology and Equity studies. Mary’s is as well on leave from her full time position as an Employment Counselor

with the Province of New Brunswick. In this position Mary struggles daily to advocate for the employment of men and women

striving to promote a healthier lens for hiring and also Mary continues to strive for literacy and equity for all people.

Mary has been active in her personal community and is dedicated to repairing her ancestor’s graveyards, specifically some

who are still segregated. Mary’s current (2011) research within her PhD is to look at the New Brunswick Education Policy

from 1900- 2010, specifically she is looking at the lack of diversity within the provincial schools, both elementary through

to post secondary.

Mary’s other published work is found in Feminist Journeys, A History of Canadian feminism 1960-2010 edited by

Marguerite Anderson, (2010).