Louise Bennett-Coverley - Famous Black People in Jamaican History Whose Work Changed The World

Many consider this Jamaican-born poet, writer, and storyteller a hero. Her heroic acts may seem unconventional and somewhat strange, but to those who knew her and who have been exposed to her works, she is nothing short of marvelous

Hon. Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley, affectionately called Ms. Lou, was born in Kingston, Jamaica on September 7, 1919. She devoted her entire life to teaching and entertaining people all over the world through her unique poems, songs, and theatrical performances.

What was so unique about her work? They were all written and performed in the Jamaican patios (pronounced pat-wa) At first she was frowned upon and laughed at for using such 'bad language' instead of the Queen's English that was taught to all school students.

To her ears and in her mind, there was no such thing as 'bad language'; they are only different. By using the Jamaican patios, she connected with Jamaicans of all classes all around the world. However, they were not the only ones to fall in love with Ms. Lou. People all over the world, black, white, and in-between loved her. She not only proved how beautiful the language is, but also brought messages through her works. She spoke of politics, travel, etiquette, social issues, and everyone's favorites, the unique and hilarious happenings of Jamaica's backyard.

Ms. Lou has been internationally recognized and awarded for her grand works.

In her mother's sewing room, young Louise started her life of entertaining. She would tell them what she had learned at school (which at times differed from what she was taught at home). She loved to tell jokes and stories to the women who gathered in the sewing room to make them laugh from as early as the age of seven.

On May 30, 1954, Louise Bennett married Eric Winston (Chalk Talk) Coverley who died in 2002. They had one son, Fabian Coverley and adopted several children.

The cultural practices she learned from her grandmother and mother was different from what she was taught at school. In those days students were taught British History, Geography, folk songs, and British dances such as the Scottish Waltz. They learned about the Queen and the many amazing people of England. Students were discouraged from speaking patios, as it was considered the language of the poor and uneducated. Jamaican folk songs, dances, geography, and history were excluded from their syllabus.

Louise Bennett attended the Ebenezer and Calabar Elementary Schools after which she attended the Excelsior High School and St. Simon's College. In 1940, she began studies at the Royal Academy of The Dramatic Arts with scholarships. After graduating, she worked as a reporter with various companies in England.

Ms. Lou's poetry may seem confusing to those who read it and to foreigners who may hear it. Every one of her works is written in patios. They talk about everything from Jamaican religion, to politics, to some basic Jamaican behavior. She wrote her first poem when she was fourteen years old. This too was in the Jamaican dialect. Her poems changed the world. They changed the way people saw the dialect and the people, and gave many a way to find the good in all life's bad occasions. Her poetry broke the walls between the rich and poor, and upper and lower classes by showing how alike they are.

One of my favorite Ms. Lou poems is about a Jamaican, who after living in in the United States for six months, shames his mother because he has returned without an American accent. In the poem, "Noh Likkle Twang" the mother of the returning resident bemoans the fact that he has returned without an accent. She expresses her shame, saying that she can never tell anyone that he has just returned from abroad as everyone would laugh at her.

Ms. Lou performed in Pantomimes from as early as 1943. Many of her performances were in leading roles that showed her talent and humorous personality.

Hon Louise Bennett-Coverley has published several books of her stories and poems. Some of the more popular ones are Jamaica Labrish (1966) and Anancy and Miss Lou (1979).

Even though it may be easier for Jamaicans to understand her poems, Ms. Lou has shared her genius around the world. After studying, she lectured in the UK and US, teaching the Jamaican music, customs, and folklore. In 1996, she moved to Toronto, Canada where she continued to teach and entertain through her performances.

Our beloved Miss Lou collapsed in her home in Toronto, Canada and was rushed to the Scarborough Grace Hospital. She died on July 26, 2006 at the age of 86.

She will always be remembered for her wit, exciting performances, and all the things she taught people all around the world. She has led the way for Jamaicans all around the world to embrace their culture despite its uniqueness. She is also a model for people from countries whose language may be classified as 'bad', giving them hope.