Slavery and colonialism have long intertwined disability and Blackness, shaping perceptions of disability in ways that are often negative. Yet, in the work of Guyanese writer Wilson Harris, new possibilities emerge.
His writing challenges conventional ideas, presenting disability—particularly blindness—not as a limitation, but as a creative and transformative space.
This thought-provoking talk with Dr Malica S Willie of the University of Glasgow will explore Harris’s reimagining of disability within the context of Black history and literature. Drawing on Harris’s work, Dr Willie will highlight how literature can offer fresh perspectives on identity, embodiment, and creativity.
The event will take place at Merchants House, Queen Street, Glasgow, opposite the bottom entrance to Queen Street Station. It is an opportunity to engage with complex but vital discussions around race, disability, and representation, framed within the broader legacies of slavery and colonialism.
Organised as part of Black History Month Scotland 2025, the talk reflects CRER’s commitment to inspiring conversation and critical thought. Attendees are reminded that participation is subject to the Event Attendance Agreement, available via the Black History Month Scotland website.
By placing Harris’s work at the centre of the discussion, this event invites audiences to rethink how disability is perceived and represented, and to consider the creative potential of perspectives often marginalised. It is an essential conversation for anyone interested in literature, history, and the intersections of race and disability.
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