Jan Carew –a tribute to a giant

        There are many who have impacted upon my life, but few across the span of my many interests have had such a significant impact than Jan Carew –poet, playwright, artists, critic, journalist, editor, publisher, novelists, historian, philosopher, educator, and my friend.  Born in the tiny village of Agricola in Berbice, Guyana in 1920, Jan’s life touched millions through such novels as Black Midas (1958), The Wild Coasts (1958), The Last Barbarian (1960), the Cry of Black Power (1970) his 1964 essay Moscow Is not My Mecca,   The Children of the Sun (1980), Fulcrums of Change (1988), and the Rape of Paradise (2006) gives testament to a life well lived, a creativity well nurtured, and a love for life well expressed.  Carew was the epitome of a scholar-activist, unafraid to speak truth to power, and undaunted by the slow progress of change.   While many apologized for or romanticized the imperialist assault that brought about the United States, he fought tirelessly to restore the identity, personality, and the reality of ancient American civilizations and their Diasporas that existed before and survived the Columbus encounter.   Throughout his intellectual pursuits we find a gentleman of uncompromising integrity, and fighter for freedom and justice, who etched into my being a concern for not only excellence but also compassion.  He taught and influenced students from Northwestern University to Princeton, Rutgers, George Mason, Lincoln and Louisville University.  As one of the Godfathers of Pan-African Studies his friends include Malcolm X, W.E. B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, Kwame Nkrumah, Shirley Graham Du Bois, Maurice Bishop, Cheikh Anta Diop, Edward Scobie, John Henrik Clark, Tsegaye Medhin Gabre, Sterling D. Plumpp, and Ivan Van Sertima. 

In the aftermath of the American invasion of Grenada, Carew’s book Grenada: The Hour Will Strike Again (1985) he uncovered the soul of a people that sought their own self realization, and independence that refused to be quenched by the “invasion”.  It resurrected the spirit of the African captives who rebelled, and fused a spirit of resistance and resilience in the culture of the island’s indigenous population.  Long before environmentalism was in vogue, Carew was challenging the government of Guyana to protect their rainforests.  Because of his relentless insistence, the government eventually created Tropical forest and conservatory for the purpose of research and the development of systems, methods and techniques for sustainable management and utilization. 

How does one praise such a talented gift?  All pale in the glow of the life, talents, blessing, and reality of this intellectual giant –and so my friend, I can think of no better way to end this then with a poem.

My friend –Jan

Rodneyc//12

Born to blaze trails

Impossible roads traveled

Broken lives reshaped

Tortured paths unveiled

Proud warrior of truth

Humble Angel of letters

You found that fulcrum

And you moved the earth

Farewell –my friend

Jan Carew –Born 24 September 1920 returned to the elders 5 December 2012

Rodney D. Coates

For more of my work please check me out at -

http://redroom.com/member/rodney-d-coates

The song that lies silent in the heart of a mother sings upon the lips of her child..

Kahlil Gibran

Rodney D. Coates

Professor and Interim Director of Black World Studies