Illegalese: Floodgate Dub by Wayde Compton

Born in Vancouver, BC, Wayde Compton has been an active part of the black writing community in that city since the mid-1990s. He is the co-founder of the first black-oriented press in Western Canada, Commodore Books, as well as of the Hogan’s Alley Memorial project, concerning the historical black neighbourhood in Vancouver. He teaches Creative Writing at Douglas College and his publications include poetry, short stories and non-fiction. This poem, from his collection Performance Bond, reckons with the troubling legacy of Canada’s immigration policies.

What is the history of one of your communities in your city or town? What interesting stories can you find there to write about?