Lillian Allen is a Canadian dub poet, reggae musician and writer. She writes on the reality of a black woman in a contemporary white society; as an activist for social change, she uses dub poetry to express an opinion as much as art.
Background
Lillian Allen born on February 5, 1951 in Spanish Town, Jamaica; the fifth of ten children. Her father was a public servant, while her mother played an important role in educating her children. In 1969, Allen moved with her family to Canada.
Education
In 1969, Lillian Allen moved to New York City. She studied English at the City University of New York. Some time later she continued her education at York University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
During her education, Lillian Allen practiced a profession of the community legal worker in Regent Park. She also served as an education coordinator for the Immi-Can youth project, and conducted research for the reggae band Truths and Rights.
In 1978 she began working in dub poetry and in 1983 released her first recording, Dub Poet: The Poetry of Lillian Allen. In 1982 Lillian Allen published her first chapbook of poems, Rhythm an' Hardtimes.
Collaborating with Billy Bryans, Dave Gray, Terry Lewis, and others, she made Revolutionary Tea Party (1986) and Conditions Critical (1988). These records received Juno Awards for the best reggae/calypso album.
In 1980s - 1990s, Allen wrote and published books of poetry, short fiction and plays. In 1993, she published Women Do This Every Day.
In 1993, Allen co-produced the documentary about the Jamaican dub poet Mutabaruka and in 1999, she released the album Freedom and Dance.
Nowadays she is a Faculty of Liberal Studies Professor of creative writing at the Ontario College of Art and Design University.
Lillian Allen has been a member of the City of Toronto arts and cultural reference group for the City's new Official Plan and the Canada Council for the Arts Racial Equity Advisory.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Sheila Nopper: "Allen is also “a vocal resistor,” one who has “broken many banders of silence about female culture and identity. She has utilized her voice in her work to challenge, explicitly and implicitly, the power relationships within society, between men and women, and among women. She has dared to be different, to call into question norms of society. Allen has stood up for her rights, followed her inner voice, her truth, and her spirit. In so doing, she has validated not only her own existence but the existence of female culture."
Interests
Music & Bands
Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jean Binta Breeze, Dennis Bovell, Burning Spear, Jill Scott, Maya Angelou