Their Eyes Were Reading Smut
The NYT has published an op-ed called Their Eyes Were Reading Smut, which decries the abyssmal state of African-American fiction. I wholehearedly agree.
At the Dave Chappelle show in November, the Bionic Sis and I discussed part of this issue - the utter lack of quality African-American authors. She told me how one of the fiction editors of Callaloo came to her college and begged for submissions: the journal already knew their standards had sunk pitifuly. We also tried to name any African-American fiction authors who were 1. male, and 2. living. We're both college educated - in fact, the Sis has a Master's in Theology. The closest we got was August Wilson, who had recently passed away, and was a playwright. The Sis named a guy who dated her best friend from college. He's published a few books that apparently sold poorly. Looking about later, I found Edward P. Jones and Toure'. I don't know of any others, besides myself.
This can't be right. There must be other African-American writers out there. I know there are women writers, but there must be other men as well. I just don't know who they are.
I asked my writing prof. about this and he named Colson Whitehead. Keep the suggestions coming! I need to read these guys. I've already read most of the major women writers.
At the Dave Chappelle show in November, the Bionic Sis and I discussed part of this issue - the utter lack of quality African-American authors. She told me how one of the fiction editors of Callaloo came to her college and begged for submissions: the journal already knew their standards had sunk pitifuly. We also tried to name any African-American fiction authors who were 1. male, and 2. living. We're both college educated - in fact, the Sis has a Master's in Theology. The closest we got was August Wilson, who had recently passed away, and was a playwright. The Sis named a guy who dated her best friend from college. He's published a few books that apparently sold poorly. Looking about later, I found Edward P. Jones and Toure'. I don't know of any others, besides myself.
This can't be right. There must be other African-American writers out there. I know there are women writers, but there must be other men as well. I just don't know who they are.
I asked my writing prof. about this and he named Colson Whitehead. Keep the suggestions coming! I need to read these guys. I've already read most of the major women writers.