Staceyann Chin (1971- ) is a slam poet from Jamaica who now lives in the country of Brooklyn in New York City. She travels the world performing and teaching poetry. Unlike most poets she has been on Oprah’s television show and has her own Blockbuster Online page.
I thought maybe she was just television-driven fluff, that she had no substance, but when she made me cry at her grandmother’s death – not mine but hers – then I knew she could write.
She was a slam poet before slam poets were in fashion, when it was still underground in New York. Like in Ancient Greece, slam poets perform their poetry for an audience with judges picking the winner. Their pieces generally run three minutes long and tell a story. A video of one of her pieces is at the end of this post.
She got into slam poetry almost by accident: one day she went to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The rest is history.
Her first published book is not of her poetry – she is not ready for that yet – but a story in prose about her first 24 years: “The Other Side of Paradise” (2009).
She was born on Christmas day in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the unwanted daughter of a rich Chinese businessman and a poor black woman. Her mother left the country soon after and Chin was brought up by her grandmother, then in her sixties. Although unwanted by her mother, her grandmother loved her unconditionally. No one has ever loved her more. Because her grandmother could not read, Chin read the Bible to her, especially the psalms – a slam poet in training!
All that ended at age nine when her mother arrived from Canada, briefly, and put her with a great-aunt whose sons tried to force her into sex. She was shifted from house to house without a home, till age 16 when she went away to boarding school and then university – paid for by a Chinese businessman who denies he is her father.
At age 21 while at university she found out she was lesbian. She only told close friends: in Jamaica you cannot live openly as a homosexual and expect to not be beaten up or, in the case of women, raped.
As much as she loved Jamaica, she had to leave: it would not allow her to live freely as a lesbian. So at age 24 she came to New York:
New York was my godsend. As soon as I landed, I knew I was in a place that welcomed misfits.
No one in New York cared if she kissed girls. She was free! Yet not free: she was black. In Jamaica, because of its colourism, she was favoured for her light skin. But in America she found herself at the bottom – for the very same skin, now seen as black. America may have been more enlightened about lesbians, but it was way less enlightened about black people.
See also:
I hear Jamaica is hell on earth for gays. It’s a good thing she made it to NYC. I wouldn’t have guessed she was half-Chinese. She looks S. African to me.
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I loved this…
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Tulio, you’re absolutely right. She has a bone structure reminiscent of South Africans, I wouldn’t have guessed she was part Chinese. I’m also quite amazed that her skin tone is considered light in Jamaica, when in South Africa that hue is two a penny with a number of tribes. She could have been descended from the bushmen from the looks of her. Interesting…
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While she doesn’t stand out as being part-Asian, it’s not so hard to see when you look. Take away that afro, and her face would not look out of place in Indonesia or the Philippines.
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Because of lighting and so on, it is often hard to tell how light-skinned someone is from photographs, but this, I think, is a good picture since it shows her with two other people under the same lighting that you can compare her to:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3445755317_0c23e31261.jpg?v=0
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@Eurasian Sensation:
Yes, I see it as well.
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You can see the Chinese influence in her face but I agree, she can easily pass for for a pure South African.
I always get her confused with Stacey Epps, another free spirit, who also has a black Asian ethnic lineage (she is black American and Filipino).
I have her memoir in my reading cue.
Also, MerriMay, for the eighth million time, skin color perception is completly fluid. She wouldn’t be particularly “light” in black America but she damn sure is much lighter than the typical Jamaican.
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What a shock. Every comment about this woman is focused on her looks. Has anyone read a single line of her poetry? No.
Meanwhile, there is something about her story that does not add up.
The post says:
“She was born on Christmas day in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the unwanted daughter of a rich Chinese businessman and a poor black woman.”
and:
“Staceyann Chin (1971- ) is a slam poet from Jamaica who now lives in the country of Brooklyn in New York City. She travels the world performing and teaching poetry. ”
There is NO money in poetry. None. Poetry is a labor of love. How — or who — pays her travel expenses? Her rent in Brooklyn (where I live).
She probably lives in Park Slope — a neighborhood popular with Lesbians — which is expensive. Or maybe Fort Greene, which neighbors Park Slope.
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Mynameismyname:
Those are my opinions, I was agreeing with anothe poster here, am no sure why you get worked up everytime there’s a discussion on skin color. Let it go will you, after a while it gets a little silly.
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She is radicalist.
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“There is NO money in poetry. None. Poetry is a labor of love. How — or who — pays her travel expenses? Her rent in Brooklyn (where I live). ”
I dunno, maybe she has a part-time job or something. I’ve heard that there are people who do that.
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slammin
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Never heard the term ‘Slam Poets’ before. I am not even sure what the term means – Nor did I watch the link either
Just a thought here …My mind thought more akin to ‘Griots’
(here read African centred/focus) when I read
“She was a slam poet before slam poets were in fashion, when it was still underground in New York. Like in Ancient Greece, slam poets perform”
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Sad to say that Jamaica is so obnoxious about homosexuality. But the least I can say is that they are not subjected to life imprisonment, like homosexuals in Uganda (or to death).
I’d seen her on Oprah and was saddened by the fact that she cannot return to Jamaica as an openly lesbian woman.
As someone of Jamaican descent, I really hope Jamaica changes this hostile behavior – it’s silly. There are plenty of homosexuals in Jamaica who are in hiding. Why can’t they live openly in freedom? What are heterosexual Jamaicans so afraid of?
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She is very strong and opinionated. I used to watch her on the show, “My Two Cents”. She seems very interesting.
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I’ve never heard of her before… will be googling for more info. Thanks for the post, abagond.
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eurasian sensation, you wrote:
“I dunno, maybe she has a part-time job or something. I’ve heard that there are people who do that.”
Chin undoubtedly lives in either the Park Slope or Fort Greene sections of Brooklyn where a marginal apartment rents for $1,500 a month.
Writing poetry that no one buys and working a part-time job does not yield enough money to rent a place and travel the world.
Oprah probably paid her travel expenses, and Chin is now on a book tour that the publisher is paying for. But the book tour is for her memoir about growing up in Jamaica. The book has a limited audience and will probably sell only a few thousand copies, if that.
Bottom line — she has a benefactor paying her bills. Maybe her “rich Chinese father” is helping her.
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Merrimay,
Worked up about what? LOL. Relax. I just made a simple comment. Is that okay?
Abagond, have you read her memoir?
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I remeber seeing her on Def Poetry Jam and on BET’s Hip Hop vs America II. I like her poems
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Who the hell cares?? If you’re that inquisitive, then ask her for a copy of her bank statement. Jeez…
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Perhaps its one of those rhetorical No_Slappz questions again he he he.
I am looking forward to hear his response ha ha ha
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Chin undoubtedly lives in either the Park Slope or Fort Greene sections of Brooklyn where a marginal apartment rents for $1,500 a month.
Writing poetry that no one buys and working a part-time job does not yield enough money to rent a place and travel the world.
Maybe her SO pay the bills. Who knows who cares
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I am looking forward to hear his response ha ha ha
Yes, good ole slappz is a fount of hilarity! What business is it of his as to where this woman gets her income from?
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I have watched Staceyann Chin perform her poetry in Jamaica, and she sizzles. The first time I could see she was anxious but determined to face whatever may come in front of a Jamaican audience. That was in 2001. Last year I heard her read from her memoir at the Calabash Literary Festival, and she was fantastic and no longer seemed so anxious/fearful. My sense was that the audience (mostly literary)was more focused on her craft than her sexual orientation.
Homophobia in Jamaica is nuanced. Gays and lesbians suffer abuse, but class, reputation, income level, and celebrity status can offer a buffer of sorts. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” can work in some situations, but as a whole being openly gay or lesbian is still not a safe option in Jamaica.
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Someone mentioned earlier that she was on the shoe “My Two Cents”. I know she was on that show for a couple of years. Maybe that is where she got some of her income. “My Two Cents” is a show that was on Bet Jazz( I think). The show consisted of 4 accomplished African Americans, including StaceyAnn Chin, expressing their opinions on issues that affected African American people. I’m curious. Why do you care how she gets her money? Many people who are actors, musicians, comedians, and jounalist do a variety of jobs to make a living and sometimes they are pretty successful at it, especially if they are popular.
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Why do you guys entertain No Slappz? You know damn well he’s merely trying to get a rise out of you. LOL. Like he or anyone else can estimate this woman’s income! Get a life!
No Slappz, how do you make your money? Do you get a paid a fee to troll? Outside of trolling on the faceless world of the internet, how do you make a living? I’m honestly curious now.
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@mynameismyname:
Not too long ago, I recall Eurasian Sensation likened no_slappz to a scab. You can’t help but pick it. That’s him! Scabby. 😉
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Why do you guys entertain No Slappz? You know damn well he’s merely trying to get a rise out of you. LOL.
I was thinking the same thing. Who even cares what this halfwit says. Just look at the beginning of the name, and if you see “no_s…” that’s your cue to keep scrolling.
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^ Definitely. Scrolling is awesome. 😀
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Leigh’s scab analogy is hilarious.
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I wish I could take the credit for no_scabbz. lol! However, I always give credit where credit is due. Eurasian Sensation mentioned it first. 😉
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You guys make me laugh… Talking about “she looks like a pure South African”. There are light-skinned “pure” South Africans in as much as there are dark-skinned “pure” South Africans.. The same goes for Namibians, Nigerians, Ghanaian etc…
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I had no clue she was a lesbian. I’m Jamaican- interestingly enough none of my close Jamaican friends are homophobic. Nor am I. What I have noticed though is that even the promiscous ppl in JA (and other places too :-))feel homosexuality is wrong and gt really upset @ it…. Weird. Pot and kettle….
I’ll b checking out her poetry though.
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the homophobia is disgusting in jamaica and various black communities in the uk.
There is documentary about it by stephen k amos(a popular openly gay nigeria-british comedian) its called ‘batty man’.
I really recommend watching it.
Homophobia makes me feel so sick and angry. and especially in blacks. we should know the pain that comes from opression and discrimnation- why would anyone inflict that anyone else?
the same way no-one choose their race no-one chooses their sexuality
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Oh yeah I watched batty man it was good I remeber listening to a good podcast of Addicted to Race that discussed some of it if I can find which one I’ll pu the link up
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With regard to the issue of homosexuality, tehre are number of differing perspectives:
1. Is there are a Euro-centred approach some may suggest ‘cultural imperialism’ to make the world
accept homosexuality including lesbianism)?
2. 4. To what extent homosexuality in contrast to homo-erotic behaviour is part of society across the world??
3. It is rarely mentioned or alluded to that the anti-homosexuality in a place like Jamaica is derived from English law
4. Even more worrying it is derived from the bible – but there is never a condemnation of he bible
4. To what extent homosexuality in contrast to homo-erotic behaviour is part of society across the world?? Even though homosexuality has been outlawed in the West, here I think of teh UK specifically. The idea of homosexuality and young boys does appear to be part of the Greek ethos. Something rarely alluded to by Euro-centred historians but more often than not raised by African centred historians.
5. To what extent is the representation in the Western media accurate when reporting ani-homosexuality stories
Finally I agree with Black Roots observation on Staceychinn features. I think we have been ‘conditioned’ to accept that there can only be a certain type of Black, whereas ‘Whites’ (Caucasoids) can come in all different guises (or should that be ‘disguises’ ha ha ha ha)
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J, what is the point of any of the questions you posed?
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Phenomenal!
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Is this No_Slappz comedy catchin on here (Sorry No_Slappz, well I am not really but…he he he he…I am sure you will understand)
Can I kindly enquire whether you are asking me a rhetorical question ere??
With regard to:
“J, what is the point of any of the questions you posed?”
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You know, as much as ppl harp on about how bad it is in JA…. I lived there for almost a decade… and there are homophobic attacks but Ive seen a gay man who lives and works in JA he’s clearly gay and its no prob for him he’s doin his thing…. Its not as horrid as it is made out to be.
I think its worse in certain areas. Where there aren’t many educated people its gonna be worse. In the ares I lived in it wasn’t an issue.
The idea of banning homosexuality WAS instituted by the British. Homosexuality is condemed in The Torah, The Bible and The Qu’ran…… I dunno why (some) ppl want to force others to be glad/happy for gays. I jus think they should be left to go about their business. Gay ppl are not special. I see them in the same way I see those who have sex before marriage. **shurgs shoulders**
I think hatred is sooo poisionous, I want all people to live without fear of being beaten, verbally abused, ostracised etc. Let God/Jehovah take care of the consequences of our actions…
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I think gay rights is a human rights issue.
religious people shouldn’t force their morals and laws on others.
secular society is the only way
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In Jamaica, because of its colourism, she was favoured for her light skin. But in America she found herself at the bottom – for the very same skin, now seen as black. America may have been more enlightened about lesbians, but it was way less enlightened about black people.
I have to take issue with this statement.
How “enlightened” is JA if Ms. Chin was ‘favoured for her light skin’?
Doesn’t it seem more like JA just has a different racial psychosis, than to say they’re “more enlightened”? From what I understand, colorism is no cakewalk.
I can agree that our stories are different, but I wouldn’t necessarily claim that JA has made it to ‘enlightenment’.
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IT may not be horrid, but it is not SAFE!
That’s the point. ITS NOT SAFE!
I would not trade my safety in one place just to walk on eggshells all day. THe treat is real.
Jamaica is a VERY religious and political little country. Ppl who have not been there to live woud not understand it as well. They are just beginnign to change, but many leaders harbor THINLY veiled disgust for GLBT ppl , and know they can use it to their advantage. ( NOt so different from the USA, but the USA is bigger and we have many laws that protect GLBT and many places that openly welcome them).
Its ppl like her that remind me its good to be a progressive, free spirit and,no , I am not losing my mind. Or alone.
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Staceyann Chin herself says that those with more money or education are more accepting of homosexuals – it is mainly the poor, who are more religious, who are less accepting, even violently so in some cases.
The Bible does say, for those who forget, that the proper punishment for a homosexual is stoning. I think that, more than English law, is what supports the violent homophobia. But that is in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, while it is clearly still a sin, even an unnatural one, stonings are out since the old Jewish law has been overthrown by Christ. Some Jamaicans do not understand that fine point – but, again, that might be my Catholic (“Eurocentric”) reading of it.
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@ Molecular Shyness:
Good point. Colourism is hardly enlightened, but to my mind racism is even less so. I did not say that Jamaica was enlightened on the matter of skin colour, just that it was MORE enlightened than America, which, quite honestly, does not take much.
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Were some comments deleted.
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Not on this thread.
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abagond,
Sorry, I was having a senior moment. I lose my place when the number of comments gets high.
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Abagond,
I am wondering, like Molecularshyness, how JA is more enlightened? I understand that you said MORE enlightend than America (U.S.), but I am not understanding. The conditions the darker skinned black people live in JA are due in part based on fewer opportunities because of darker skin. Greater opportunities to those of lighter skins. Where is this MORE enlightenment?
Peace
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That is because I see racism as being worse than colourism, though neither is great.
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Aren’t racism and colorism the same thing?
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Ok, thanks. I understand your position. I think I find “colourism” worse since its most often wrought by the very same people that once suffered under racism.
I don’t think racism and colourism are the same, but may be twigs from the same branch.
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Racism and colorism are not the same but they are both equally destructive forces. It’s a form of racism that works by indirectly destroying non-white communities; It channels racist ideology into the minds and hearts of nonwhites through other non white people.
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Colorism is based upon white supremacy. It is simply a variant of racism, not something completely different.
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What!? No bitter denunciation from Kiwi of the shockingly racist behavior of his fellow ‘Asian’ as far back as 2010? His Peter Liang performance wasn’t apostasy after all! How come nobody noticed it until 2016?
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