Shelagh's extended conversation with Wayne Grady
CBC Radio | Posted: November 25, 2013 5:00 AM | Last Updated: November 25, 2013
Wayne Grady grew up thinking his father's family was Irish. One day, when he was digging through the archives in Windsor, Ontario, Wayne made a discovery that changed his life. His great-grandfather wasn't Irish. He was African American. Wayne's father had spent his life "passing" as white and never told his wife or son the truth about his background. Wayne's discovery that day was the catalyst for his book Emancipation Day Wayne has written many non-fiction books and award-winning translations, but Emancipation Day is his first novel.
Emancipation Day is about a young man from Windsor, Ontario who, like Wayne's father, is so light-skinned he can pass as white. And he does. He goes to St. John's during the Second World War to play trombone in the Navy Band and falls in love and marries. He and his young wife eventually return to Windsor and the secrets and lies of their relationship play out against a backdrop of race and identity.
Emancipation Day was on the long list for the 2013 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
We hope you enjoy this extended version of Shelagh's conversation with Wayne Grady.