How to Say Babylon
Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and strict Rastafarian, obsessed over her purity and the corrupting influences of the Western world, or "Babylon." He believed a woman’s highest virtue was obedience and imposed strict rules to keep Babylon at bay. The women in Safiya's family wore long skirts, head wraps, and were forbidden from makeup, jewelry, opinions, and friends.
Safiya’s mother, though loyal to her father, introduced Safiya to books and poetry, which became her escape. Watching her mother's silent struggle, Safiya used her education to find her voice, leading to inevitable clashes with her father’s increasing violence. As Safiya's poetic voice grew, a collision course with her father was set.
"How to Say Babylon" is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that sought to silence her, addressing patriarchy, tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism, it’s a universal story of a woman finding her power and a unique glimpse into the world of Rastafari.
Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and strict Rastafarian, obsessed over her purity and the corrupting influences of the Western world, or "Babylon." He believed a woman’s highest virtue was obedience and imposed strict rules to keep Babylon at bay. The women in Safiya's family wore long skirts, head wraps, and were forbidden from makeup, jewelry, opinions, and friends.
Safiya’s mother, though loyal to her father, introduced Safiya to books and poetry, which became her escape. Watching her mother's silent struggle, Safiya used her education to find her voice, leading to inevitable clashes with her father’s increasing violence. As Safiya's poetic voice grew, a collision course with her father was set.
"How to Say Babylon" is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that sought to silence her, addressing patriarchy, tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism, it’s a universal story of a woman finding her power and a unique glimpse into the world of Rastafari.
Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and strict Rastafarian, obsessed over her purity and the corrupting influences of the Western world, or "Babylon." He believed a woman’s highest virtue was obedience and imposed strict rules to keep Babylon at bay. The women in Safiya's family wore long skirts, head wraps, and were forbidden from makeup, jewelry, opinions, and friends.
Safiya’s mother, though loyal to her father, introduced Safiya to books and poetry, which became her escape. Watching her mother's silent struggle, Safiya used her education to find her voice, leading to inevitable clashes with her father’s increasing violence. As Safiya's poetic voice grew, a collision course with her father was set.
"How to Say Babylon" is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that sought to silence her, addressing patriarchy, tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism, it’s a universal story of a woman finding her power and a unique glimpse into the world of Rastafari.
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Hardcover
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October 3, 2023
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352 pages
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37 Ink
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978-1982132330
