BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 28, 2016–The Villa Garden at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina came to life after an informal private reading turned into a formal public conference.

Dr. Candice Pitts had offered to read an extract of her PhD dissertation for Mrs. Margery Laing, the wife of iconic judge, professor and diplomat, Edward Laing.

However, last Saturday shortly after 6 p.m., an audience converged on the Villa Wings Ground and made their way into the Villa Garden to give their attention to a prolific Belizean intellect.

Her dissertation is firmly rooted in nationalism in the English-speaking Caribbean with a keen focus on the works of Antigua’s Jamaica Kincaid, Jamaica’s Margaret Cezair-Thompson and Belize’s very own Zee Edgell and how they represented the nationalist movements in their countries.

Her presentation, thought-provoking and seismic, held her audience captive as her analysis of Zee Edgell’s popular Beka Lamb raised eyebrows and dropped jaws.

The audience now awaits the complete publication of her paper in September.

There are also ongoing efforts to organize a public lecture led by Dr. Pitts which will coincide with the September celebrations.

“My position is that Belizeans should think about their society, cultures and politics critically. Edgell’s novel has allowed me to do just that. My article can help Belizeans to look at the socio-cultural and political issues I raised both critically and differently,” remarked Dr. Pitts.

Dr. Pitts told Amandala, “I am more excited about publishing the article that discusses Belizean issues and having that available for global readership.”

This young stellar academic will continue to be on Amandala’s radar.