Michelle Cliff speaks at the 15th Annual Lauren A. Coley Lecture

The Institute for Women’s Studies presented the 15th Annual Andrea Carson Coley Lecture on Friday, April 17th at the University of Georgia chapel. The lecture, given by Michelle Cliff, renowned author of such works as Abeng and No Telephone to Heaven was made possible by Andrew and Kathy Coley.

Each year, since 1995, the Andrea Carson Coley lecture has brought outstanding scholars in the field of lesbian and gay studies to campus. The lecture is presented in memory of their daughter Andrea, who was a certificate candidate in Women’s Studies. The lecture was preceded with a reception on the chapel lawn in honor of the Coley family. Guests were invited to speak with other women’s studies majors and advocates, the family, and Michelle Cliff.

Cliff, who was born in Jamaica and grew up both there and in the United States, is an advocate in women’s studies and an activist in gay and lesbian rights. She was educated in New York City and also at the Warburg Institute at the University of London. Michelle writes novels, short stories and poems based roughly on her own life experiences. Cliff’s lecture “Everything is Now” featured some of her own poems which were accompanied with commentary.

Chris Cuomo, director of Women Studies at the University of Georgia spoke first introducing Michelle. Cuomo spoke highly of Michelle and the Coley Family, who make the annual lectures possible for students at the university. Cuomo also thanked LGBT, Globes and the staff of the institute for women studies for their help coordinating the event.

Barnett Stokes, Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences also spoke to introduce Ms. Cliff. “We have had extraordinary speakers for many years now and Michelle is certainly no exception” Stokes said. Stokes spoke of a new generation of writers within the field of women’s studies and gave much credit to Michelle for helping advance the education of others within the field of Women’s Studies.

In many of Cliff’s works, the reoccurring themes are the complexities of inter-raciality and the power of friendship across difference. Cliff describes friendship as a triumph of imagination and liberation in many of her works. “I wanted to write books I didn’t get a chance to read” Cliff said as she wrapped up her readings with questions from the audience.

Cliff first read her poem titled “What would it be like.” The poem, written from the perspective of someone who is not Jamaican, gives a rendition of what an outsider’s perspective would be towards the Jamaican culture that openly encourages hate and violence towards gay and lesbian people.

“I come from Jamaica and a culture that is extremely homophobic. There is a culture in Jamaica that advocates the physical destruction of gays and lesbians” Cliff said. Cliff has not returned to Jamaica since 1975 due to the violence, “The violence is becoming a lot more escalated now since there is a Jamaican gay community out in the open. It has a lot to do with the religious groups” Cliff said.

As a writer from Jamaica, Cliff attributes much of her writing as works inspired from Jamaica. “Jamaica formed my writing for the most part, and for the most part Jamaica formed me.” Cliff shared two more stories with the half-full university chapel. Cliff stressed that women’s oppression is fluid and that it doesn’t matter what race you come from.

One lecture attendee, Karen Schlenger has attended all 15 of the Coley lectures. “It is a good event in the Athens area that supports the gay and lesbian community. I had not heard of any of the readings Cliff shared today, but she is an important writer so I think it is important to hear” Schlenger said.

Cliff has been writing powerful works since the 1980s. Her newest work “If I could write this in fire” is just as powerful. For more information regarding the Lauren A. Coley lecture series, previous speakers and next years speaker, follow this link to the women’s studies Web site.