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This is a very interesting point and something that I always wonder.

Let me say it then. Just because I got rhythm doesn’t make me a dancer does it? Believe me, nobody would pay to see me dance on stage. Yes, art is subjective but each art form also has standards, markers that distinguish it. Everything written isn’t good, and I really don’t need agreement to stand by that. Different tastes/preferences aside, there are standards for good writing. And you and I know that everything published is not worth the paper its printed on.

Terry McMillan represents one segment of writers. No one group represents us all. I don’t read romance. Not my thing. I don’t read street lit or chick lit. That doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the market. There are lot of readers not reading people of color because they think black literature means McMillian or Baldwin. They don’t know what’s in-between. The majority at-large needs a road map and tour guide- for real.

Let me repeat a few points:

1) Color up the web. We cannot make allies and inform the larger reading market if we remain on our private islands. We need to think more like career politicians: take your platform on the road, baby. White Readers Meet Black Authors got it right. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blog all have space for you. If you’re not online, you’re not serious.

2) How broadly are we reading? In my mind, being well-read means reading good literature across genres. Actually keeping up what is being read allows me to engage others in their interests and introduce them to mine.

3) We need to cultivate a reading culture in our homes, community organizations and schools. Are we donating books, reading at storytime in library or schools, are we supporting literacy groups?

4) Blog brown.

I’ll step off my soapbox now.

I serve a community that loves urban black fiction. At first I tried to steer them in other directions but what I learned was to respect their preferences and when they were interested or willing to hear what I liked to read, then I would share my recommendations.

There are many black writers and other writers of color out there producing great work including in YA which many adults dismiss not realizing the quality and diversity of what the genre offers. I personally don’t like what I think is ghetto, but there are writers who write urban fiction (there is a difference as I understand the definitions). Personally, I read mostly women, women of color, multicultural and YA lit. I am less concerned about preferences and am more interested in increasing literacy and diversity. I want to promote reading across gender, race and genres.

If you’re looking for greater diversity, come by Color Online. We’d love to have you. T visits though she lurks ( I’m sure she’s going to comment soon).

And in the end history will be the judge. 30 years from now most of the Hot Ghetto Mess will be collecting dust in the back of libraries or on some of our shelves cause we are obsessed with our book collections. And the art in written form will stand out. And there will be a greater variety of Black Literature for our kids.

In the spaces where I hang out, writers have learned to promote themselves. They have formed relationships with their readers and their readers are loyal and active. If you not connected online, you’re cutting yourself off from potential readers.

Now…back to the discussion.

-Tee

angelia

-Tee

That is not my experience. I see more support and a desire to connect. That said, I think we should be free to evaluate a work regardless of the race of the writer.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the world is not just black and white. We want a wider audience, we want more support and exposure, then let’s make a real commitment to taking our books on the road. I believe and promote people of color. I read books that interest me and that means crossing race, genre and ethnicity. Help color up the blogosphere by showing up in spaces that lack diversity.

Often we aren’t supported not because a reader won’t read a black writer but because that reader doesn’t know he’d like your book. I’m not suggesting when convince others to read us but expose others to options available from black authors.

While writing is an art, making a living at writitng is business. It is no different than any other career. Those who are discouraged by the market have to decide if this is a career and passion or only passion. If passion matters more, don’t quit your day job.

I think we can do more to seek out these resources and network with them so all those who are committed to literacy and diversity are sharing information.

I run a community library and our library is 80% people of color. I would love to connect with more of you here. I sponsored a book drive for 3 years now for our community and my donors are mostly white readers. I don’t think African Americans wouldn’t support us but I do think we are more isolated. We’re operating from small islands.

It has already started to happen where white authors are starting to write more stories with Black characters and eventually Black authors will be fighting for any space on any shelf. Our books are slowly losing space on book shelves.

I agree that whatever genre one writes in whether it be street or the classics, try to hone your craft, promote it and THAT reader will pick up your book. And that reader’s word-of -mouth can get you more readers. Word spreads over a good/bad book, just as it does over tragedies. Everyone, including publishers and writers are reading reviews, blogs, group pages, newsletters, etc.. keeping up with what’s going on and being said. I agree with Roy that:

” History will not judge the color of writers’ skins, only the value of what they had to say and how well they were able to express it.”

Iris Celeste author of Praise Your Way Through
http://www.irisceleste.webs.com

-Tee