what would you have done?
I found this on the blogsphere. Millenia Black, an author who was scheduled to appear at a bookstore in Florida, cancelled her apperance after the bookstore owner sent an email inquiring about is she was black. Allegedly (now I feel like a real journalist), the bookstore has the largest selection of AA titles in its area and serves a large population of Black people.
I can see why she was offended. Would I have been? Probably not. It takes a lot for me these days, which may or may not be a good thing. Plus when I get a book published, I want my shining face on the back. But that's just my vanity.
Back to Ms. Black. It's obvious that she doesn't want her race to be a factor surrounding interest in her book. She deserves that. But will she get it?
posted by Felicia Pride @ 6:43 AM
15 Comments:
"Back to Ms. Black. It's obvious that she doesn't want her race to be a factor surrounding interest in her book. She deserves that. But will she get it?".....
"I'd say she should be given it with honors"
There's no need to be harsh with each other here, because we all seem to be victims of the past.
But here's the task; Are we willing to do those things make for better changes, by digging out from under the latent fester of racially suppressed emotions?
I am by no means being harsh. She deserves not to have race play a role in her writing career. Everyone should be able to experience that sort of racial freedom. What made you think I was being harsh, that was definitely not my intention.
Falicia, I should preface that statement before making it.
I never even remotely intended to implied you were harsh, because you where "NOT". More kind of transfer energy in emphasis leading into what I was about to say.
I applaused everything you've said, sorry for that misunderstanding.
In hormony with you, we do need to step away from that racial divide into univerasl freedom.
oh, cool, didn't want to give off the wrong impression. But yes wouldn't it be great?
Felicia said:
Back to Ms. Black. It's obvious that she doesn't want her race to be a factor surrounding interest in her book. She deserves that. But will she get it?
My reply:
Felicia, it appears that's Millenia Black's point. She seems to be doing what many black writers are afraid (or are too ignorant to realize they need) to do. Millenia Black is taking a public stand against the forces that won't allow her to have the right she deserves, as your post points out.
I agree with Millenia on some level. As an author with a debut novel coming soon, I struggle with wanting to find a wide audience and knowing that I am and will be known as an AA author. However, I do believe that marketing is the key, no matter what the race. I'm starting to see more AA authors on mainstream bestsellers' lists and the main thing that helps them is marketing. Carl Weber and Kimberla Lawson Roby, as well as others, tour their butts off. They solidified their base of AA readers then took it to another level. They write one book a year, which keeps their stories and names in the minds of their readers. While some people complain about being pigeon-holed as a AA writer, they don't realize how much harder they'd have to work as a "mainstream author." I think I'd rather learn the lessons of bestselling AA authors and build my base of loyal AA fans and build from there as opposed to fighting against the tens of thousands of white authors trying to find an audience each year. Plus, I think people would be surprised by the number of white people that do read AA authors. They are out there, and the numbers are growing.
To Dakota: It sounds like you have the classic "slave stuck on the plantation" mentality. Given that resolve, you obviously suffer from that complex. Wake up and smell the freedom!
I'm just being realistic. I believe I have a general understanding of the AA Literature market and how it is evolving. What's wrong with being realistic and having an open and honest dialogue? The facts, as I expressed them, are that AA authors who build their base of AA fans and market aggressively have become NYT bestsellers. And by expressing that truth and saying it may be a way for more AA authors to be successful, I have a plantation mentality? Give me a break! At least I am confident enough to express my opinions without hiding behind an anonymous comment.
I'm just being realistic
So am I.
It sounds like there's something missing from this story. If a bookstore owner asked me if I am black, I wouldn't automatically cancel the signing. I would ask why that was important to know. I'd ask if they catered to a black audience or are in a black neighborhood. I asked if the Klan would come to burn the store down if I came to town. I wouldn't just burn the bridge. Was this a chain or an independent store? Was it a black-owned store?
Thanks,
Emanuel Carpenter
www.emanuelcarpenter.com
Emanuel, perhaps you should take the time to re-read Felicia's post and the posts she references because you're asking questions that have been answered. I do see how you're saying you would've reacted, but many people feel the question is never justified, no matter the reason behind it.
Yes, there is a key element missing from this story and that is Millenia Black is not black, but white who has from day one marketed her book to black audiences. As a matter of fact is was a Black Expressions pick a few months back. For the longest time she didn't reveal herself. I haven't read her book but I'm told her characters are "no color" and everyone just assumed they were black.
I can see why she was offended. Would I have been? Probably not. It takes a lot for me these days, which may or may not be a good thing. Plus when I get a book published, I want my shining face on the back. But that's just my vanity.
Back to Ms. Black. It's obvious that she doesn't want her race to be a factor surrounding interest in her book. She deserves that. But will she get it?
I can appreciate you wanting to have your face on your book, Felicia, none of us should have to "hide" our faces in the interest of marketability. I think Millenia Black's actions are making that point louder than if she were actually screaming it at the top of her lungs....if the store would cancel the appearance if they found out she was white, Indian, Hispanic, etc. anything other than black, then a white store could site this behavior as support for doing similar things based on race alone.
FYI, In response to:
Yes, there is a key element missing from this story and that is Millenia Black is not black, but white who has from day one marketed her book to black audiences.
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Not sure where Anonymous got his/her information, but over on the Palm Beach Post sitem that this blog links to, the reporter says she's met Millenia Black at a book fest and she is indeed a black person........
FYI on a new stir with Millenia Black. It looks like the bookstore cancellation was just the tip of the iceberg. Check it out if you haven't already:
http://milleniablack.blogspot.com/2006/04/great-betrayal-jim-crow-publishing.html
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