Kasai Major Browne

Who is Kasai ? 

Kasai Major Browne is a young Black man who is currently a first-year Art student at Queen's University. Growing up in a predominantly white high school, Kasai's passion for creative writing was nurtured and encouraged by his family from a young age.Kasai bases his life on three key tenets: to celebrate the Black community, to practice self-love and self-improvement, and to support and give back. His poetry reflects these values and expresses his love for the Black community.

His work

It all started in grade 12 , when he took a creative writing class at his high school that he truly discovered his love for the art. With the help of a passionate teacher, he was able to hone his skills in creative writing while also learning to incorporate social justice themes into his work. Kasai's interest in writing was further fueled by the social activism demonstrations that followed the death of George Floyd. He used his creative writing to advocate for justice and celebrate the excellence of the Black community.

Unjustified- An Expressive Cry for Justice

The first of many of Kasai’s poems was inspired by a creative writing project tasked from his class where he wrote about the performative activism he witnessed surrounding Floyd’s murder. Kasai expressed how hard it was to process the shifting social climate surrounding the deaths of Black Americans and Canadians and looked towards creative art to visualize his inner thoughts and emotions into words.

“Unjustified” depicts the raw emotions many Black people— including Kasai— experienced during the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. To bring the experience closer to home—Ottawa— Kasai highlights similar violence that occurred in the community, making the poem even more powerful and relatable.

More Than Just Hair- A Blooming Love Story

For the Black community, hair is not just hair. It is a representation of cultures; a connection we maintain with our history. In "More Than Just Hair," Kasai showcases the beauty of Black hair while also exploring the ways in which society has policed and scrutinized it. The poem celebrates the diversity of Black hair while also highlighting the importance of self-love and acceptance.

The Importance of Kasai’s Work

Kasai’s work is important not only because it explores themes of social justice and celebrates the Black community but also because it gives a voice to those who have been historically silenced. Through his poetry, Kasai has been able to express the experiences and emotions of Black people, creating a space for empathy and understanding. His work serves as a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. Kasai is just at the beginning of his artistic journey, and we can’t wait to see where his talent and passion will take him next.

By Kabura Mwangi