Ideas Why Massey Lecturer Ian Williams Stays Open to All Perspectives
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Mar 14, 2025 Ian Williams, the 2024 CBC Massey lecturer, is a novelist and poet whose work dives into migration and identity. He shares how childhood reading shaped his imagination and reflects on the blend of ballet and rugby in his youth, underscoring the balance of art and athleticism. Williams explores narrative multiplicity, emphasizing diverse voices, and discusses the importance of empathy in dialogue. He also addresses the complexities of racial identity and champions meaningful conversations as a way to foster deeper understanding and connection.
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Early Conversations
- Ian Williams' earliest conversations are marked by voices and the news, not specific content.
- He was a quiet child, absorbing adult discussions in two distinct home environments.
Encyclopedias: A World of Knowledge
- In Trinidad, Williams' family valued encyclopedias, treating them like a pre-internet source of knowledge.
- He loved exploring diverse topics, from flags to medical textbooks, sparking a hunger to learn.
Migration and Multiple Selves
- Immigrating to Canada at nine profoundly impacted Williams, creating a sense of multiple selves.
- This experience highlighted the fluidity of identity and the constant adaptation to new environments.
