This is Why Black People Always Seem Angry
Once again demonstrating a baffling deafness for tone and a pathetic grip on reality, Publisher’s Weekly offers this as the current issue’s cover:
I don’t even know where to begin in deconstructing this bizarre image. The black woman as the exotic, wild creature with crazy hair is not, perhaps, the wisest choice of images. Why not just have Venus Hottentot bare breasted and holding a book parading around the cover? Also, can we talk about the fact that black people haven’t had afros that required picking for roughly 20 years, save for a few people who like a little throwback and even then, they aren’t walking around with a head full of picks? The saddest detail of all may well be the black power fist at the end of each pick (see: Black Panthers, 1960s, things we have let go). What does this image have to do with writing? What is the message PW is trying to convey? This image is offensive and weird and creepy and that the people involved in the editorial process didn’t stop to ask themselves how this image might be perceived is kind of funny and very sad.
I understand, historically, why there was a need for the term African American books to exist and why the little section in the bookstore was (is) needed but at the same time, I personally think that when you start to segregate books what you’re saying is that some of these things are not like the others. I’m sure every black writer has a different opinion on the subject but I would prefer my books to be found in the fiction section because that’s what I write. My books would be cranky in the African American section because they would want to kick the asses of books written by Maya Angelou. There would be a RUMBLE in that aisle and then the Women’s Studies books would cluck their tongues and the Asian Books would shake their heads and soon, everyone would want to riot.
The PW cover story, about African-American books in the marketplace, treats African American books like they are some strange, mysterious kind of book–that African American books are markedly different from all the other kinds of books out there in the world, requiring special care and handling and that African American readers are elusive and quixotic, requiring a very special kind of book, bookstore, and marketing campaign. For example, Zane is releasing a book in conjunction with a song by Kenny Lattimore. Next up, video hos marketing books. BET Books.
I learned quite a bit about African American books in the marketplace in reading this article.
Street Lit is the primary subgenre of African American books but, sadly, Street Lit may not be as hot as it once was. Time to find a new niche, black writers. Gritty urban tales about drug dealers and baby daddies won’t cut it anymore.
If you’re a black celebrity you can still get a book published though it is best if you are an athlete. Good news, Tiger Woods!
Obama has not only created change in national politics, he has parted new waters for black writers. Holy Moses!
People who want to read African American books are very very very very hard to find. Unless of course, you go to a Barnes & Noble. I’ve seen black people there and the most shocking thing is that they were roaming throughout the store and not in just one tiny little section crammed with Alice Walker, Maya, Toni Morrison and some thug life novels.
Zane (the spokesperson for all black writers) does not feel we get the respect we deserve even though she is one of the worst writers I’ve ever read and is probably not getting respect for being a black writer, but rather, being a BAD black writer.
Publishing African American books, and finding readers for those books is a complex issue that is far bigger than this ridiculous article but maybe, just maybe if publishers stopped publishing crappy books that pander to tired stereotypes, they’d finally sell some books to black people and maybe if the publishing industry started to understand that black readers share more commonalities than differences with the rest of the reading world, they wouldn’t feel the need to publish absurd covers like the one featured in this week’s Publisher’s Weekly. I’m just saying.
Highly recommended: “White Readers, Meet Black Writers”
http://isak.typepad.com/isak/2009/11/welcome-white-folks.html
Highly recommended: “White Readers, Meet Black Writers”
http://isak.typepad.com/isak/2009/11/welcome-white-folks.html
[…] reported by HarperStudio and HTML Giant, there is something more than a bit wrong about Publishers Weekly’s new cover. But the […]
“the little section in the bookstore was (is) needed but at the same time…”
why is it needed?
“People who want to read African American books are very very very very hard to find. Unless of course, you go to a Barnes & Noble. I’ve seen black people there and the most shocking thing is that they were roaming throughout the store and not in just one tiny little section crammed with Alice Walker, Maya, Toni Morrison and some thug life novels.”
wow, this paragraph is … wow
“the little section in the bookstore was (is) needed but at the same time…”
why is it needed?
“People who want to read African American books are very very very very hard to find. Unless of course, you go to a Barnes & Noble. I’ve seen black people there and the most shocking thing is that they were roaming throughout the store and not in just one tiny little section crammed with Alice Walker, Maya, Toni Morrison and some thug life novels.”
wow, this paragraph is … wow
Can’t roll with you on the image Roxane. Doesn’t bother me. I think it’s an attempt at being artistic and doesn’t seem to be a mockery of some ridiculous perception of blackness. It’s a dumb image, don’t get me wrong, but not offensive. That era in blackness is still very influential and a whole lot of literature came out of it. The afro pick with the fist was a popular style in the 70s. My dad had one and I took it and used it in the 90s. They still sell them. It seems the image was chosen to go with the punning headline. The image and the pun are stupid, artistic attempts, but not marginalizing….as fro (ha, I typed from by mistake) the piece, I’ll comment when I have time to read it….if I have something to say, that is.
Can’t roll with you on the image Roxane. Doesn’t bother me. I think it’s an attempt at being artistic and doesn’t seem to be a mockery of some ridiculous perception of blackness. It’s a dumb image, don’t get me wrong, but not offensive. That era in blackness is still very influential and a whole lot of literature came out of it. The afro pick with the fist was a popular style in the 70s. My dad had one and I took it and used it in the 90s. They still sell them. It seems the image was chosen to go with the punning headline. The image and the pun are stupid, artistic attempts, but not marginalizing….as fro (ha, I typed from by mistake) the piece, I’ll comment when I have time to read it….if I have something to say, that is.
I personally wish there was no section marked “Afro-American” in any bookstore, because I like a lot of these authors and when I go to that section, I feel like every black person in the store must whip their head around and whisper, “What’s SHE doing in that aisle? She’s white!”
Thank God they put Walter Mosley in the Mystery section!
I personally wish there was no section marked “Afro-American” in any bookstore, because I like a lot of these authors and when I go to that section, I feel like every black person in the store must whip their head around and whisper, “What’s SHE doing in that aisle? She’s white!”
Thank God they put Walter Mosley in the Mystery section!
what’s wrong with that paragraph, jereme?
Black Panther fist is pretty oof.
what’s wrong with that paragraph, jereme?
Black Panther fist is pretty oof.
Kind of a stupid thing to think.
Kind of a stupid thing to think.
I hear what you’re saying, Rion, but the image continues to bug the hell out of me.
Wow. Just…wow.
the cover model seems sad to be under that weird contraption and that annoying exclamation mark
i wonder if p&w realized how embarrassed she looks
the ignorance of it rion.
That’s often times what you see in that section even though that is not at all an accurate representation of Af Am lit.
I hear what you’re saying, Rion, but the image continues to bug the hell out of me.
Wow. Just…wow.
the cover model seems sad to be under that weird contraption and that annoying exclamation mark
i wonder if p&w realized how embarrassed she looks
the ignorance of it rion.
That’s often times what you see in that section even though that is not at all an accurate representation of Af Am lit.
*pw, not p&w
*pw, not p&w
i thought that section was more like lit *about* african american culture or issues pertaining, not necessarily written by. most black authors who write stuff are mixed in with the rest i thought. its not segregating by author, just by content. at least thats what i thought that, i don’t go to that section much. i don’t go to any bookstore much actually.
i thought that section was more like lit *about* african american culture or issues pertaining, not necessarily written by. most black authors who write stuff are mixed in with the rest i thought. its not segregating by author, just by content. at least thats what i thought that, i don’t go to that section much. i don’t go to any bookstore much actually.
What’s in that section really depends on the bookstore and the city or neighborhood where that bookstore is located. I’ve seen it vary from a really interesting range of fiction, nonfiction, self-help etc to a few random fiction titles by black authors.
What’s in that section really depends on the bookstore and the city or neighborhood where that bookstore is located. I’ve seen it vary from a really interesting range of fiction, nonfiction, self-help etc to a few random fiction titles by black authors.
I think her neck must hurt.
I think her neck must hurt.
seems likely
seems likely
You have to realize I was being sarcastic–that I was playing on a certain truth for effect. I mean really, Jereme.
You have to realize I was being sarcastic–that I was playing on a certain truth for effect. I mean really, Jereme.
I don’t think it’s ignorant. In some of these of these stores is just a tiny shelf funny-looking shelf. I could be wrong, but the implication is blacks don’t read, but we’re roaming the these stores. At least in my neighborhood. She is being facetious.
And let me take a stab at why theses sections (are) were needed. It’s a hidden fact that bookstores with these sections stock and sell more black books. The fear is that without these sections, the bookstores would totally ignore the black author. I’m sure these reasons have nothing to do with racism. Oh no. Say racism on this site and you are the racist. Just as racist as the Wigger Chick cartoons. Everyone is racist! So no one is!
Pardon my outburst.
I work with a guy who used to own Karibu books, which was an amazing (now defunct) black bookstore in the Washington, DC area. This is slightly off topic, but a stroll through the store when they were popping and it was easy to see the need for black bookstores (and maybe black sections). The range of books was magnificent. Book you could find nowhere else were in this store. It was heavenly being in there. You just can’t find The Spook Who Sat by the Door at Borders or Barnes & Noble or even Politics and Prose, a great independent in the DC area.
So, in theory, this is why these section exist.
BUT….when I have books, I would like them stocked in the fiction section. I write for all people, not just black people. Stores should be able to maintain their stock of these sorts of titles without segregating them. I find it hard to navigate these types of stores and find the organization arbitray at time. Chimmanda Adiche in fiction? Oh, I guess she is not American, but she is African. When I can’t find a book in the African-American section, I ofent look in the fiction section, whcih makes me stay longer in these bookstores than I planned to. I think, in the end, they should go.
And thug books, with the exception of Sister Souljah’s Coldest Winter Ever, are crap. I wonder what the next trend will be. Probably not quality fiction.
I don’t think it’s ignorant. In some of these of these stores is just a tiny shelf funny-looking shelf. I could be wrong, but the implication is blacks don’t read, but we’re roaming the these stores. At least in my neighborhood. She is being facetious.
And let me take a stab at why theses sections (are) were needed. It’s a hidden fact that bookstores with these sections stock and sell more black books. The fear is that without these sections, the bookstores would totally ignore the black author. I’m sure these reasons have nothing to do with racism. Oh no. Say racism on this site and you are the racist. Just as racist as the Wigger Chick cartoons. Everyone is racist! So no one is!
Pardon my outburst.
I work with a guy who used to own Karibu books, which was an amazing (now defunct) black bookstore in the Washington, DC area. This is slightly off topic, but a stroll through the store when they were popping and it was easy to see the need for black bookstores (and maybe black sections). The range of books was magnificent. Book you could find nowhere else were in this store. It was heavenly being in there. You just can’t find The Spook Who Sat by the Door at Borders or Barnes & Noble or even Politics and Prose, a great independent in the DC area.
So, in theory, this is why these section exist.
BUT….when I have books, I would like them stocked in the fiction section. I write for all people, not just black people. Stores should be able to maintain their stock of these sorts of titles without segregating them. I find it hard to navigate these types of stores and find the organization arbitray at time. Chimmanda Adiche in fiction? Oh, I guess she is not American, but she is African. When I can’t find a book in the African-American section, I ofent look in the fiction section, whcih makes me stay longer in these bookstores than I planned to. I think, in the end, they should go.
And thug books, with the exception of Sister Souljah’s Coldest Winter Ever, are crap. I wonder what the next trend will be. Probably not quality fiction.
Tayari Jones and a bunch of folks on Twitter are angry about the cover too: http://tayarijones.com/blog/
Tayari Jones and a bunch of folks on Twitter are angry about the cover too: http://tayarijones.com/blog/
Rion, yeah, the section of the bookstore is a really difficult thing to define. What is the rubric for what goes there? It gets so messy.
And yes, I was being facetious.
Rion, yeah, the section of the bookstore is a really difficult thing to define. What is the rubric for what goes there? It gets so messy.
And yes, I was being facetious.
I think Tayari Jones’s take on the bookstore section thing is interesting:
http://maudnewton.com/blog/?p=5710
I think Tayari Jones’s take on the bookstore section thing is interesting:
http://maudnewton.com/blog/?p=5710
I think the context — the headline, subject matter of the article, how it labels the image as representative — makes it a lot more troubling than it might be elsewhere.
I think the context — the headline, subject matter of the article, how it labels the image as representative — makes it a lot more troubling than it might be elsewhere.
seems like a bunch of fake outrage
seems like a bunch of fake outrage
[…] wrote about the Publisher’s Weekly cover and was so angry that I don’t think I make any sense. But to sum up: that cover is crazy. C R A Z Y. I […]
Noting that I’m a white dude, I agree with Rion that the cover image itself dosen’t seem offensive, more like an attempt to be arty. Some of the other stuff, like black panther fists, seem pretty tone-deaf
Noting that I’m a white dude, I agree with Rion that the cover image itself dosen’t seem offensive, more like an attempt to be arty. Some of the other stuff, like black panther fists, seem pretty tone-deaf
Wait, I just saw a bigger picture of the image and now notice that the afro picks THEMSELVES are shaped like black power fists. NM.
Wait, I just saw a bigger picture of the image and now notice that the afro picks THEMSELVES are shaped like black power fists. NM.
Tim, her take is interesting but I also think it depends on the kinds of books you write and whether or not your story explicitly involves black characters, etc. My book that takes place in the UP and is about the children of Finnish immigrants would probably seem a bit out of place in the black book section. My biggest concern about the section is that it implies that black writers are always writing about race or black characters or other explicit racial themes. That’s not necessarily the case.
Tim, her take is interesting but I also think it depends on the kinds of books you write and whether or not your story explicitly involves black characters, etc. My book that takes place in the UP and is about the children of Finnish immigrants would probably seem a bit out of place in the black book section. My biggest concern about the section is that it implies that black writers are always writing about race or black characters or other explicit racial themes. That’s not necessarily the case.
What’s really interesting about the cover is that it’s the cover of one of the books featured in the supplementary article about current af am books but the way the image is portrayed on the cover, without that context, is bizarre and hilarious.
What’s really interesting about the cover is that it’s the cover of one of the books featured in the supplementary article about current af am books but the way the image is portrayed on the cover, without that context, is bizarre and hilarious.
Definitely. I included the link more to add its wrinkles to the conversation than to argue one way or the other abt whether the section should exist …I think she brings up some important issues regarding access and reaching audiences and other stuff confronting writers from marginalized groups.
Definitely. I included the link more to add its wrinkles to the conversation than to argue one way or the other abt whether the section should exist …I think she brings up some important issues regarding access and reaching audiences and other stuff confronting writers from marginalized groups.
Fantastic article. Bookstores are a bit segregated ( Colson Whitehead and Zadie Smith are not though, hmmm) . In the same breath it is difficult to find MARKETABLE books by black authors as well. Many write what sells , which they think is Street Lit exclusively, or things that are a bit too poetic and obscure in the fiction genre , or rehash of what’s been done by the heavyweights ( Morrison, Walker, et. al). In the scramble for cash or literary stardom, people forget you have to find your OWN voice.
Fantastic article. Bookstores are a bit segregated ( Colson Whitehead and Zadie Smith are not though, hmmm) . In the same breath it is difficult to find MARKETABLE books by black authors as well. Many write what sells , which they think is Street Lit exclusively, or things that are a bit too poetic and obscure in the fiction genre , or rehash of what’s been done by the heavyweights ( Morrison, Walker, et. al). In the scramble for cash or literary stardom, people forget you have to find your OWN voice.
Sounds like you don’t know much about black lit.
Sounds like you don’t know much about black lit.
i am glad you were being facetious but do not give me that dismissive shit. you chose to speak about race knowing full well it was going to start discussion.
a few things bothered me about the paragraph.
a.) implying “black” people only read books from the “african american” shelf. there also seems to be an underlying “shock’ that black people read at all. i read the latter as sarcasm.
b.) the other implication that ONLY “black” people read books from the “african american” section. i guess i should steer clear of it from now on. wouldn’t want to break stereotypes.
c.) your attentiveness to race and what they are perusing/purchasing at the bookstore. i see no value in this sort of mindset. nothing positive will come of it.
why did you dismiss the first question? why do you feel it is needed to have a section called “african american” anything? where is the “african welsh” and the “african norse” and the etc. sections? I guess if you are black and from the UK you are just a person.
why the fuck power is granted to a racial moniker is beyond me but i was interested in hearing your viewpoint.
i’m sort of over it now.
have fun bitching about race. i’m sure the endeavor is going to accomplish a lot.
i am glad you were being facetious but do not give me that dismissive shit. you chose to speak about race knowing full well it was going to start discussion.
a few things bothered me about the paragraph.
a.) implying “black” people only read books from the “african american” shelf. there also seems to be an underlying “shock’ that black people read at all. i read the latter as sarcasm.
b.) the other implication that ONLY “black” people read books from the “african american” section. i guess i should steer clear of it from now on. wouldn’t want to break stereotypes.
c.) your attentiveness to race and what they are perusing/purchasing at the bookstore. i see no value in this sort of mindset. nothing positive will come of it.
why did you dismiss the first question? why do you feel it is needed to have a section called “african american” anything? where is the “african welsh” and the “african norse” and the etc. sections? I guess if you are black and from the UK you are just a person.
why the fuck power is granted to a racial moniker is beyond me but i was interested in hearing your viewpoint.
i’m sort of over it now.
have fun bitching about race. i’m sure the endeavor is going to accomplish a lot.
Jereme,
either you don’t have very sharp reading comprehension skills or you are purposely missing her point entirely.
a) That paragraph was clearly sarcasam and effective sarcasm.
b) She didn’t imply this. As a matter of fact, she implied bookstores believe this and explictly said black people are all over the store, noy just concentrated in these sections. Again, reading comprehension.
c) She is responding to an article on this subject.
Your first question was a good one. I’d like to hear Roxane’s thoughts on that myself. This post is not “bitching about race” it’s discussing the subject that this country was founded on. It shades so much of our interactions and should be talked about. Anytime, a person of color brings up a topic that is made, by american society, to be central to our lives, it’s classified as “bitching about race.” Sorry, that I don’t have the luxury of ignoring my skin color when it makes people treat me differently, even if unconsciously.
Jereme,
either you don’t have very sharp reading comprehension skills or you are purposely missing her point entirely.
a) That paragraph was clearly sarcasam and effective sarcasm.
b) She didn’t imply this. As a matter of fact, she implied bookstores believe this and explictly said black people are all over the store, noy just concentrated in these sections. Again, reading comprehension.
c) She is responding to an article on this subject.
Your first question was a good one. I’d like to hear Roxane’s thoughts on that myself. This post is not “bitching about race” it’s discussing the subject that this country was founded on. It shades so much of our interactions and should be talked about. Anytime, a person of color brings up a topic that is made, by american society, to be central to our lives, it’s classified as “bitching about race.” Sorry, that I don’t have the luxury of ignoring my skin color when it makes people treat me differently, even if unconsciously.
Can we all please acknowledge that it’s a photo by a well-respected black photographer from a book curated by a well-respected black scholar and selected by a well-respected black editor. Anyone who, knowing all that, is still offended is entitled to be, but anyone assuming that an image from PW must be about decisions white people made is perpetrating the only racist part of all this.
Can we all please acknowledge that it’s a photo by a well-respected black photographer from a book curated by a well-respected black scholar and selected by a well-respected black editor. Anyone who, knowing all that, is still offended is entitled to be, but anyone assuming that an image from PW must be about decisions white people made is perpetrating the only racist part of all this.
ha, good point!
ha, good point!
Hey Roxane,
In light of PWs so-called top 10 books of 2009 list, which, under feigned objectivity (or what they called having “ignored gender and genre and who had the buzz”), resulted in an all male list, you can look at this additional example of PWs ignorance and offensiveness as perhaps another calculated move to generate controversy, all of which results in more attention drawn to their magazine. Long after people have forgotten the controversy, PW will remain branded in their/our brains. It’s another kind of branding, and an old trick.
Since PW has a history of being flagrantly and criminally dismissive of women writers (besides a host of other whoevers and whatevers), I think it’s time to simply boycott.
This is not to say that criticism should not be hurled. But I think concrete threats are the only thing which will make rags like these change.
Hey Roxane,
In light of PWs so-called top 10 books of 2009 list, which, under feigned objectivity (or what they called having “ignored gender and genre and who had the buzz”), resulted in an all male list, you can look at this additional example of PWs ignorance and offensiveness as perhaps another calculated move to generate controversy, all of which results in more attention drawn to their magazine. Long after people have forgotten the controversy, PW will remain branded in their/our brains. It’s another kind of branding, and an old trick.
Since PW has a history of being flagrantly and criminally dismissive of women writers (besides a host of other whoevers and whatevers), I think it’s time to simply boycott.
This is not to say that criticism should not be hurled. But I think concrete threats are the only thing which will make rags like these change.
Good lord, talk about knee-jerk nonsense without having all the facts.
Good lord, talk about knee-jerk nonsense without having all the facts.
“I’m just saying.” Roxane, you keep on saying. This paternalistic, machistic image sexualizes and degrades women of color, and all women. Her bowed head and closed eyes suggest submissiveness and shame. Hello? I’m offended.
“I’m just saying.” Roxane, you keep on saying. This paternalistic, machistic image sexualizes and degrades women of color, and all women. Her bowed head and closed eyes suggest submissiveness and shame. Hello? I’m offended.
rion,
it’s probably both. I am doing 5 things at any given time while i’m at work and I don’t always have the time to divert my complete focus on something.
but that’s not the problem in this case.
this sentence “the little section in the bookstore was (is) needed but at the same time…” changed the way i read the entire thing.
yes roxane is being sarcastic, the whole article is sarcastic, which i find to be sort of a meek and half-hearted attack, more of a bitch since nothing is really being challenged here.
the article’s complaint about racial injustice is discredited by her statement. it’s a double standard employed too often. “i accept something that benefits me, i am outraged by something that detracts from me” sort of mentality.
consequently i found the quoted paragraph to be offensive.
in my experience a person broaches the subject of race not for the sake of discussion but as a mechanism for trapping.
i decided to pose the question regardless because I was curious to hear roxane’s answer. it seemed like she was being earnest and I wanted to understand her thinking beyond the article.
i figured she would just dismiss me. but hey now that you asked i’m sure she’ll answer.
now to address your direct comment: this is indeed bitching about race. nothing is being challenged here. i am unafraid to discuss any topic. in no way am i saying let’s not talk about race.
i see no difference in the stereotypes marketed towards women, asians, hispanics, fat people, etc. ignorant stereotypes are applied to these demographics.
the same flawed thinking is used throughout.
but for some reason, you think i should be more outraged because of your particular color of your skin.
i’m sorry but i’m not going to grant more value to black racism over asian racism or sexism or elitism or etc.
doing so only enforces racial issues.
evil is evil.
if we meet face to face rion, i will not hold your gaze and immediately think “black person”.
i will only think “person”.
but as you pointed out i seem to be pretty stupid and i guess this is not the best way to go about.
rion,
it’s probably both. I am doing 5 things at any given time while i’m at work and I don’t always have the time to divert my complete focus on something.
but that’s not the problem in this case.
this sentence “the little section in the bookstore was (is) needed but at the same time…” changed the way i read the entire thing.
yes roxane is being sarcastic, the whole article is sarcastic, which i find to be sort of a meek and half-hearted attack, more of a bitch since nothing is really being challenged here.
the article’s complaint about racial injustice is discredited by her statement. it’s a double standard employed too often. “i accept something that benefits me, i am outraged by something that detracts from me” sort of mentality.
consequently i found the quoted paragraph to be offensive.
in my experience a person broaches the subject of race not for the sake of discussion but as a mechanism for trapping.
i decided to pose the question regardless because I was curious to hear roxane’s answer. it seemed like she was being earnest and I wanted to understand her thinking beyond the article.
i figured she would just dismiss me. but hey now that you asked i’m sure she’ll answer.
now to address your direct comment: this is indeed bitching about race. nothing is being challenged here. i am unafraid to discuss any topic. in no way am i saying let’s not talk about race.
i see no difference in the stereotypes marketed towards women, asians, hispanics, fat people, etc. ignorant stereotypes are applied to these demographics.
the same flawed thinking is used throughout.
but for some reason, you think i should be more outraged because of your particular color of your skin.
i’m sorry but i’m not going to grant more value to black racism over asian racism or sexism or elitism or etc.
doing so only enforces racial issues.
evil is evil.
if we meet face to face rion, i will not hold your gaze and immediately think “black person”.
i will only think “person”.
but as you pointed out i seem to be pretty stupid and i guess this is not the best way to go about.
Can’t we all just read our books and quit talking about this shit?
And anytime you’re offended, it’s a good idea to try to put your feelings in the context of the vast armies of people out there who really don’t give a shit. I’m one. What PW puts on their cover makes no difference to my life. I will be just as unemployed tomorrow.
Can’t we all just read our books and quit talking about this shit?
And anytime you’re offended, it’s a good idea to try to put your feelings in the context of the vast armies of people out there who really don’t give a shit. I’m one. What PW puts on their cover makes no difference to my life. I will be just as unemployed tomorrow.
They’re probably going to review our next poetry book by a Jewish woman. Guess they chose her as a way to tamp down the controversy and let the imprint branding happen.
They’re probably going to review our next poetry book by a Jewish woman. Guess they chose her as a way to tamp down the controversy and let the imprint branding happen.
Jereme, I’m not dismissing anything nor am I “bitching about race,” an accusation which is, in itself dismissive. I was just responding to the cover. I was being sarcastic and I was voicing an opinion which should not be misconstrued as stating a universal truth.
I actually never once use the word racism. I was simply talking about a magazine cover I find troubling which also speaks to the larger issue of how black writing is addressed by the publishing industry. I can’t even respond to points a and b because that’s simply not what I was saying. As for the first question, about the African American book section, I didn’t answer the question because I do not have an answer. I think historically that section has been needed because it is an effective way of highlighting books written by Af Am authors and providing an exclusive space for those authors whose work might otherwise fall through the cracks of the bookstore for any number of reasons. At the same time, the section is very complicated because it is difficult to know, where, as you point out, the books of other types of African Welsh or African or Jamaican, etc. writers belong. It is difficult to know what criteria should be used to include a book in that section–do we include books by black authors or by black authors writing about black issues or writers of any ilk writing about black issues? This question also extends to the other sections in a book store like the GLBT books section, and the sections for books written by/about people of other ethnicities, etc. I only picked black because this cover and the article which it represents specifically discusses Af Am writing.
The entire point of this website is to generate discussion so yes, I posted this to encourage discussion. Thank you for stating the obvious.
Jereme, I’m not dismissing anything nor am I “bitching about race,” an accusation which is, in itself dismissive. I was just responding to the cover. I was being sarcastic and I was voicing an opinion which should not be misconstrued as stating a universal truth.
I actually never once use the word racism. I was simply talking about a magazine cover I find troubling which also speaks to the larger issue of how black writing is addressed by the publishing industry. I can’t even respond to points a and b because that’s simply not what I was saying. As for the first question, about the African American book section, I didn’t answer the question because I do not have an answer. I think historically that section has been needed because it is an effective way of highlighting books written by Af Am authors and providing an exclusive space for those authors whose work might otherwise fall through the cracks of the bookstore for any number of reasons. At the same time, the section is very complicated because it is difficult to know, where, as you point out, the books of other types of African Welsh or African or Jamaican, etc. writers belong. It is difficult to know what criteria should be used to include a book in that section–do we include books by black authors or by black authors writing about black issues or writers of any ilk writing about black issues? This question also extends to the other sections in a book store like the GLBT books section, and the sections for books written by/about people of other ethnicities, etc. I only picked black because this cover and the article which it represents specifically discusses Af Am writing.
The entire point of this website is to generate discussion so yes, I posted this to encourage discussion. Thank you for stating the obvious.
i’m sorry i thought you dismissed it. i went back and saw where you responded.
“You have to realize I was being sarcastic–that I was playing on a certain truth for effect. I mean really, Jereme.”
that was a great answer. thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. i’m so sorry i didn’t see this earlier.
by the way, pointing at the sun and saying “that’s the sun” is not dismissing the sun. the same applies to this article and my vocalization that it is nothing more than a bitch session.
bitching is okay sometimes but it is not going to accomplish dick.
“I actually never once use the word racism. I was simply talking about a magazine cover I find troubling which also speaks to the larger issue of how black writing is addressed by the publishing industry”
i never said you used the specific word “racism” but so uh you weren’t talking about racial prejudice and discrimination?
you know if you would just be honest we wouldn’t butt heads as much.
“I can’t even respond to points a and b because that’s simply not what I was saying.”
okay i can respect that but this is why i posed the question in the first place? my original comment was a question and an opinion. the opinion was very brief for a reason. i knew we would end up going back and forth if i posted a long opinion/explanation which is not what i wanted. i simply wanted to hear your thoughts.
“As for the first question, about the African American book section, I didn’t answer the question because I do not have an answer. I think historically that section has been needed because it is an effective way of highlighting books written by Af Am authors and providing an exclusive space for those authors whose work might otherwise fall through the cracks of the bookstore for any number of reasons. At the same time, the section is very complicated because it is difficult to know, where, as you point out, the books of other types of African Welsh or African or Jamaican, etc. writers belong. It is difficult to know what criteria should be used to include a book in that section–do we include books by black authors or by black authors writing about black issues or writers of any ilk writing about black issues? This question also extends to the other sections in a book store like the GLBT books section, and the sections for books written by/about people of other ethnicities, etc. I only picked black because this cover and the article which it represents specifically discusses Af Am writing.”
i am sort of confused. You do understand the need for these sections or you don’t? i think this topic would have been a great side discussion.
so much for that.
“Thank you for stating the obvious.”
And thank you for being passive aggressive! i think our mutual thanks hold the same sincerity.
i’m sorry i thought you dismissed it. i went back and saw where you responded.
“You have to realize I was being sarcastic–that I was playing on a certain truth for effect. I mean really, Jereme.”
that was a great answer. thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. i’m so sorry i didn’t see this earlier.
by the way, pointing at the sun and saying “that’s the sun” is not dismissing the sun. the same applies to this article and my vocalization that it is nothing more than a bitch session.
bitching is okay sometimes but it is not going to accomplish dick.
“I actually never once use the word racism. I was simply talking about a magazine cover I find troubling which also speaks to the larger issue of how black writing is addressed by the publishing industry”
i never said you used the specific word “racism” but so uh you weren’t talking about racial prejudice and discrimination?
you know if you would just be honest we wouldn’t butt heads as much.
“I can’t even respond to points a and b because that’s simply not what I was saying.”
okay i can respect that but this is why i posed the question in the first place? my original comment was a question and an opinion. the opinion was very brief for a reason. i knew we would end up going back and forth if i posted a long opinion/explanation which is not what i wanted. i simply wanted to hear your thoughts.
“As for the first question, about the African American book section, I didn’t answer the question because I do not have an answer. I think historically that section has been needed because it is an effective way of highlighting books written by Af Am authors and providing an exclusive space for those authors whose work might otherwise fall through the cracks of the bookstore for any number of reasons. At the same time, the section is very complicated because it is difficult to know, where, as you point out, the books of other types of African Welsh or African or Jamaican, etc. writers belong. It is difficult to know what criteria should be used to include a book in that section–do we include books by black authors or by black authors writing about black issues or writers of any ilk writing about black issues? This question also extends to the other sections in a book store like the GLBT books section, and the sections for books written by/about people of other ethnicities, etc. I only picked black because this cover and the article which it represents specifically discusses Af Am writing.”
i am sort of confused. You do understand the need for these sections or you don’t? i think this topic would have been a great side discussion.
so much for that.
“Thank you for stating the obvious.”
And thank you for being passive aggressive! i think our mutual thanks hold the same sincerity.
and i’m done. you guys win.
great discussion. completely not a bitch session.
and i’m done. you guys win.
great discussion. completely not a bitch session.
It’s not black power. It’s mulatto power, obviously. Try to be more interesting please.
It’s not black power. It’s mulatto power, obviously. Try to be more interesting please.
…in reference to the picks on the cover, of course.
Jereme, I do and I don’t understand the need for these sections. I have conflicting opinions about them. I don’t know how better to express that.
…in reference to the picks on the cover, of course.
Jereme, I do and I don’t understand the need for these sections. I have conflicting opinions about them. I don’t know how better to express that.
triple post!
This is a BLACK power pick: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2963011574_991c642146.jpg
triple post!
This is a BLACK power pick: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2963011574_991c642146.jpg
Her bowed head and closed eyes are an allusion to the black power fist. It’s a pose often taken when holding up the black power fist.
http://www.nocaptionneeded.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/ap47405iu_black_power_000da.jpg
Hello? No need to be offended.
Her bowed head and closed eyes are an allusion to the black power fist. It’s a pose often taken when holding up the black power fist.
http://www.nocaptionneeded.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/ap47405iu_black_power_000da.jpg
Hello? No need to be offended.
I’m not really offended. I thought I was offended due to your outrage, but then I sat back and looked at it some more. The photo’s dope.
More offended by the separate shelves, the designation of one author, one slice of literature as the whole spectrum of “black” lit. I’m offended by the fact because I write differently, or speak a certain way, I am deemed as a black person acting white. Even though anyone who knows me understands that that couldn’t be further from the truth. Somehow speaking in ebonics, which is almost universally deemed “stupid-speak” is the only way blacks can talk. Because speaking in proper grammar, or “intelligently”, is “white-speak” because we all know in America only white people can speaked rightly (sic). Even though I am of the camp that you can speak poorly and still be trying to convey a complex idea, and the complex idea doesn’t change only the delivery system. But, like someone, I believe Jason above, said, no one gives a shit about what I think. (which is why this prevailing idea continues to bother me). I am tired of the stigma attached to black literature. That it is of lower quality. This is what people think when entering the bookstore. And not just “white” people. What was that story? One book nominated for a Pulitzer (or National book Award) couldn’t be found in regular shelves, until a reader discovered it was in the African-American literature section. Wow.
Listen, I live in an area where racism still exists. When people go by stereotypes heavily. I know, check it, KNOW that this stuff we’re talking about, the stuff people on here continuously say, “for real” or “get over it” or “we’re post-racial now” and etc etc etc…. THAT is bullshit. Walk a year in my shoes or my moms or my sisters or my fathers. Uphill fucking battle. And it pisses me off even more because I am so much past race — what I’m not past are the stereotypical attributes applied to people because of race. And this isn’t specific to “my” ethnicity (because to say my definitively would deny the Native American in my blood), but to my spanish friends family who would call me their little mijo. Or my jewish friend who i’ve known since 6th grade, and how he can’t stand how people don’t know that, technically, he’s middle eastern, and not what people would call, “white”. And how around me everyday I hear people say, “Don’t be a jew” “let’s kill some jews” (while playing online first person shooters).
Yeah. We’re post-racial.
I’m not really offended. I thought I was offended due to your outrage, but then I sat back and looked at it some more. The photo’s dope.
More offended by the separate shelves, the designation of one author, one slice of literature as the whole spectrum of “black” lit. I’m offended by the fact because I write differently, or speak a certain way, I am deemed as a black person acting white. Even though anyone who knows me understands that that couldn’t be further from the truth. Somehow speaking in ebonics, which is almost universally deemed “stupid-speak” is the only way blacks can talk. Because speaking in proper grammar, or “intelligently”, is “white-speak” because we all know in America only white people can speaked rightly (sic). Even though I am of the camp that you can speak poorly and still be trying to convey a complex idea, and the complex idea doesn’t change only the delivery system. But, like someone, I believe Jason above, said, no one gives a shit about what I think. (which is why this prevailing idea continues to bother me). I am tired of the stigma attached to black literature. That it is of lower quality. This is what people think when entering the bookstore. And not just “white” people. What was that story? One book nominated for a Pulitzer (or National book Award) couldn’t be found in regular shelves, until a reader discovered it was in the African-American literature section. Wow.
Listen, I live in an area where racism still exists. When people go by stereotypes heavily. I know, check it, KNOW that this stuff we’re talking about, the stuff people on here continuously say, “for real” or “get over it” or “we’re post-racial now” and etc etc etc…. THAT is bullshit. Walk a year in my shoes or my moms or my sisters or my fathers. Uphill fucking battle. And it pisses me off even more because I am so much past race — what I’m not past are the stereotypical attributes applied to people because of race. And this isn’t specific to “my” ethnicity (because to say my definitively would deny the Native American in my blood), but to my spanish friends family who would call me their little mijo. Or my jewish friend who i’ve known since 6th grade, and how he can’t stand how people don’t know that, technically, he’s middle eastern, and not what people would call, “white”. And how around me everyday I hear people say, “Don’t be a jew” “let’s kill some jews” (while playing online first person shooters).
Yeah. We’re post-racial.
seat check: http://www.missionlocal.org/2009/12/a-conversation-with-author-jimmy-santiago-baca/
seat check: http://www.missionlocal.org/2009/12/a-conversation-with-author-jimmy-santiago-baca/
In Harlem and some areas of Brooklyn it is hard to find the white writer’s section.
In Harlem and some areas of Brooklyn it is hard to find the white writer’s section.
These guys on the street east of Penn Station in Manhattan sell books that I have no clue where they are coming from and every once in a while I make a stab at buying one and reading it. Until I read this article I had no idea that it might be called ‘street lit’ as a recognized genre. I wondered why I could not find this material anywhere else… certainly not to be found in any Afro-American section of bookstores. I like reading the material just like I like reading mystery, westerns, sci fi… I believe in not reading on the main-publisher-list but to read whatever sort of stuff comes my way.
What I would really like to know is where I can learn more about these authors and their books.
These guys on the street east of Penn Station in Manhattan sell books that I have no clue where they are coming from and every once in a while I make a stab at buying one and reading it. Until I read this article I had no idea that it might be called ‘street lit’ as a recognized genre. I wondered why I could not find this material anywhere else… certainly not to be found in any Afro-American section of bookstores. I like reading the material just like I like reading mystery, westerns, sci fi… I believe in not reading on the main-publisher-list but to read whatever sort of stuff comes my way.
What I would really like to know is where I can learn more about these authors and their books.
“Can’t we all just read our books and quit talking about this shit?”
No.
“Can’t we all just read our books and quit talking about this shit?”
No.
Google street lit or ghetto fiction but you’ll find them at borders or barnes.
Google street lit or ghetto fiction but you’ll find them at borders or barnes.
I have to admit, I don’t see what the fuss is about with this cover. I think the pun is silly, but it seems just an excuse to use the photo with the black power salute afro picks to show how righteous they are. Or to show how righteous the authors are, I dunno.
I have to admit, I don’t see what the fuss is about with this cover. I think the pun is silly, but it seems just an excuse to use the photo with the black power salute afro picks to show how righteous they are. Or to show how righteous the authors are, I dunno.
You can’t tell people how to respond to something.
You can’t tell people how to respond to something.
ZZZZIP?
ZIZP.
CONFUSION
ZIPS CIRCUITS CONFUSED (this is a tricky issue)
EXPLOSION IMMINZIP
ZZZZIP?
ZIZP.
CONFUSION
ZIPS CIRCUITS CONFUSED (this is a tricky issue)
EXPLOSION IMMINZIP
ZZZIP THINKS THE THE MOST WEIRD/TASTELESS PART OF THE ARTICLE IS THE “Afro Picks!”. MAKES IT FEEL LIKE “AFRO/AFRICAN” IS A “FLAVOUR” YOU CAN JUST PURCHASE AT THE ICE CREAM STORE OR HIRE TO GO ON A DATE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER IF YOU ARE FEELING PROGRESSIVE OR SOMETHING
ZZIP WONDERS WHY THEY COULDN’T JUST CALL IT “THE BEST IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITING” OR WHATEVER, MAYBE THEY CHOSE “AFRO PICKS” TO DELIBERATELY CREATE CONTROVERSY AND FELT IN THE END THEY WOULD COME OUT UNBESMIRCHED BECAUSE OF WHAT RACHEL SAYS BUT STILL IT’S SUCH A DODGY MOVE AND I THINK YOU FELLOWS IN THE UNITED STATES, I’LL SAY THIS A MILLION TIMES, I MEAN RACE IS A WEIRD ISSUE EVERYWHERE BUT IT’S “WEIRDER” IN THE U.S., DAMN, IT’S JUST WEIRD, CAPITALISM MAKES IT WEIRDER, YOU GUYS HAVE THE CRAZIEST CAPITALIST SYSTEM, DAMN!!!!
ZZZIP THINKS THE THE MOST WEIRD/TASTELESS PART OF THE ARTICLE IS THE “Afro Picks!”. MAKES IT FEEL LIKE “AFRO/AFRICAN” IS A “FLAVOUR” YOU CAN JUST PURCHASE AT THE ICE CREAM STORE OR HIRE TO GO ON A DATE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER IF YOU ARE FEELING PROGRESSIVE OR SOMETHING
ZZIP WONDERS WHY THEY COULDN’T JUST CALL IT “THE BEST IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITING” OR WHATEVER, MAYBE THEY CHOSE “AFRO PICKS” TO DELIBERATELY CREATE CONTROVERSY AND FELT IN THE END THEY WOULD COME OUT UNBESMIRCHED BECAUSE OF WHAT RACHEL SAYS BUT STILL IT’S SUCH A DODGY MOVE AND I THINK YOU FELLOWS IN THE UNITED STATES, I’LL SAY THIS A MILLION TIMES, I MEAN RACE IS A WEIRD ISSUE EVERYWHERE BUT IT’S “WEIRDER” IN THE U.S., DAMN, IT’S JUST WEIRD, CAPITALISM MAKES IT WEIRDER, YOU GUYS HAVE THE CRAZIEST CAPITALIST SYSTEM, DAMN!!!!
“NO WE SHOULD JUST KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS SHIT ZIP ZIP ZIP”
“NO BUT THAT’S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT”
“NO!!! I’M SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND I WILL SPIT THAT IN YOUR FACE JASON COOK YOU FASCIST BUT I WON’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT I JUST WANTED YOU TO FEEL BAD ABOUT IT A BIT”
HEY MAYBE JASON’S COMMENT WAS A BIT STRANGE BUT THAT WAS SUPER ANNOYING MIKE
“NO WE SHOULD JUST KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS SHIT ZIP ZIP ZIP”
“NO BUT THAT’S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT”
“NO!!! I’M SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND I WILL SPIT THAT IN YOUR FACE JASON COOK YOU FASCIST BUT I WON’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT I JUST WANTED YOU TO FEEL BAD ABOUT IT A BIT”
HEY MAYBE JASON’S COMMENT WAS A BIT STRANGE BUT THAT WAS SUPER ANNOYING MIKE
that sounds pretty cool
that sounds pretty cool
Any time anyone talks about himself/herself in the third person, I think of Neon Deon.
Any time anyone talks about himself/herself in the third person, I think of Neon Deon.
I have not read the comments, but would like to say that that image is one of the most offensive things I have seen outside White Supremacist tracts.
I have not read the comments, but would like to say that that image is one of the most offensive things I have seen outside White Supremacist tracts.
NEON DEION????
ONCE UPON A TIME PAPA ZZZZZIP AND MAMA ZZZZZZZIP THOUGHT LITTLE ZZZZZIP WAS GOING TO BE A BASEBALL PLAYER, AND THEY PUT A POSTER OF RICKEY HENDERSON ON LITTLE ZZZZIP’S WALL AND MADE THEIR ZZZZIPY BOY RE-READ EVERY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE THAT QUOTED HIM–BUT,TO HIS PARENT’S DISAPPOINTMENT, ZZZZIP LEARNED MORE ABOUT COMPREHENSION THAN BASE STEALING!!!!!
NEON DEION????
ONCE UPON A TIME PAPA ZZZZZIP AND MAMA ZZZZZZZIP THOUGHT LITTLE ZZZZZIP WAS GOING TO BE A BASEBALL PLAYER, AND THEY PUT A POSTER OF RICKEY HENDERSON ON LITTLE ZZZZIP’S WALL AND MADE THEIR ZZZZIPY BOY RE-READ EVERY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE THAT QUOTED HIM–BUT,TO HIS PARENT’S DISAPPOINTMENT, ZZZZIP LEARNED MORE ABOUT COMPREHENSION THAN BASE STEALING!!!!!
Who?
Who?
oh i’m sorry i though jason was encouraging intellectual apathy by suggesting we put our feelings in the context of someone who doesn’t care
oh i’m sorry i though jason was encouraging intellectual apathy by suggesting we put our feelings in the context of someone who doesn’t care
IT IS OKAY MIKE
YOU SEEM LIKE AN OKAY GUY, ZZZIP IS SORRY
WHEN ZZZIP IS IN “A MOOD” HE JUST KEEPS ON ZZZZIPPPING, YOU KNOW?
IT IS OKAY MIKE
YOU SEEM LIKE AN OKAY GUY, ZZZIP IS SORRY
WHEN ZZZIP IS IN “A MOOD” HE JUST KEEPS ON ZZZZIPPPING, YOU KNOW?
Hey, ZIP’s back! This is the best news I’ve heard today. Welcome home, ya big weirdo. It’s truly been too long.
Hey, ZIP’s back! This is the best news I’ve heard today. Welcome home, ya big weirdo. It’s truly been too long.
Wow. Took an awful lot of words to get to a very simple point: It was a pun. “Picks.” You know, choices. A play on words harkening back to afro picks. It was clever. The choice of “black panther/black power” fisted picks for the cover shot was perfect. It reflects the whole self-segregation of “African-Americans” into a separate sub-culture with it’s own proprietary literary genre, while ignoring the fact that many black people do not claim any cultural ties to Africa.
Wow. Took an awful lot of words to get to a very simple point: It was a pun. “Picks.” You know, choices. A play on words harkening back to afro picks. It was clever. The choice of “black panther/black power” fisted picks for the cover shot was perfect. It reflects the whole self-segregation of “African-Americans” into a separate sub-culture with it’s own proprietary literary genre, while ignoring the fact that many black people do not claim any cultural ties to Africa.
OF COURSE, ZZZZIPPP THINKS WE ALL UNDERSTOOD THAT
ZZZZZIPP IS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU HAVE CHANGED OR FOCUSED THE DISCUSSION, MIKE
“OF COURSE!!! MOBY DICK, GUYS–IT’S ABOUT MAN’S HUBRIS!!! YOU WASTED SO MANY WORDS TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT THE ANSWER WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME–IN ME!!!“
OF COURSE, ZZZZIPPP THINKS WE ALL UNDERSTOOD THAT
ZZZZZIPP IS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU HAVE CHANGED OR FOCUSED THE DISCUSSION, MIKE
“OF COURSE!!! MOBY DICK, GUYS–IT’S ABOUT MAN’S HUBRIS!!! YOU WASTED SO MANY WORDS TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT THE ANSWER WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME–IN ME!!!“
JUSTIN TAYLOR ZZZIP NEVER KNEW YOU CARED
MAYBE THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FOR ZZIP
JUSTIN TAYLOR ZZZIP NEVER KNEW YOU CARED
MAYBE THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FOR ZZIP
[…] (The headline of the blog post reads, “Publishers Weekly Have You Lost Your Mind?”) At the literary Web site HTMLGIANT, Roxane Gay wondered what message the magazine was trying to convey with the image, writing that […]
Has Publisher’s Weekly response been posted?
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6711692.html?nid=2286&rid=#%23CustomerId%23%23&source=link
The image was a photograph taken from a new book from W.W. Norton, Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present by Deborah Willis, a collection of carefully chosen photographs intended to highlight the physical and cultural beauty of African-American life. The image (Pickin’, 1999) by Lauren Kelley is a photograph of a black woman whose hair is full of Afro picks, the ubiquitous metal toothed hair-comb of the 1970s, complete with plastic handle in the form of a black power fist.
[…]
The resulting response to the choice of that particular image and that coverline was not anticipated by the person most closely involved with this week’s cover. That person was me, PW senior news editor, Calvin Reid. I organize, edit, and oversee the annual feature story on black books. I chose the cover in collaboration with the magazine’s creative director and I wrote the coverline, Afro Picks!, which was intended as a pun to highlight a story that “picked” new black titles of interest. The image was reminiscent of the 1970s and appealed to me, someone who grew up in the middle of the 1970s-era wave of black pride, black power and big afros with big afro picks stuck right in the back. To me it is a sweet, tongue-in-cheek funny and striking image of quirky black hair power. And while it never occurred to me that anyone would be offended by these images, I was very wrong and I have to acknowledge that. Quite a few people were offended by it and outraged by what some perceive as a disparaging or degrading image of a black woman. I certainly regret offending anyone and while I still love that image, I intend to think long and hard about whatever image is chosen for next year’s cover.
Has Publisher’s Weekly response been posted?
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6711692.html?nid=2286&rid=#%23CustomerId%23%23&source=link
The image was a photograph taken from a new book from W.W. Norton, Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present by Deborah Willis, a collection of carefully chosen photographs intended to highlight the physical and cultural beauty of African-American life. The image (Pickin’, 1999) by Lauren Kelley is a photograph of a black woman whose hair is full of Afro picks, the ubiquitous metal toothed hair-comb of the 1970s, complete with plastic handle in the form of a black power fist.
[…]
The resulting response to the choice of that particular image and that coverline was not anticipated by the person most closely involved with this week’s cover. That person was me, PW senior news editor, Calvin Reid. I organize, edit, and oversee the annual feature story on black books. I chose the cover in collaboration with the magazine’s creative director and I wrote the coverline, Afro Picks!, which was intended as a pun to highlight a story that “picked” new black titles of interest. The image was reminiscent of the 1970s and appealed to me, someone who grew up in the middle of the 1970s-era wave of black pride, black power and big afros with big afro picks stuck right in the back. To me it is a sweet, tongue-in-cheek funny and striking image of quirky black hair power. And while it never occurred to me that anyone would be offended by these images, I was very wrong and I have to acknowledge that. Quite a few people were offended by it and outraged by what some perceive as a disparaging or degrading image of a black woman. I certainly regret offending anyone and while I still love that image, I intend to think long and hard about whatever image is chosen for next year’s cover.
I really do not know where all your comments on this is coming from. It seems that you have issues. I am a black women and do not receive any of the energy that you are expressing. You have issues. You might want to address those.
I really do not know where all your comments on this is coming from. It seems that you have issues. I am a black women and do not receive any of the energy that you are expressing. You have issues. You might want to address those.
Well because you don’t, that’s that!
Well because you don’t, that’s that!
hey everybody. I am the editor that oversees the African American feature each year and I have been doing it for probably about 20 years or so. yes, I’m the guy that picked the cover image. I’m not going to get into debating the merits of the image, I’ve already said how I feel about it and why I chose it.
But I will say that the reason we do an annual feature on African American books is not because we’re trying to set up separate but equal book shelves at the library and bookstore. We do it because black consumers spend upwards of $300 million or more each year on books. We do it because over the last 20 years, books aimed at black consumers, as well as anybody else interested in AF-AM life, have exploded in quantity and quality with books of all kinds–nonfiction, fiction, literary commercial, photography, art books, you name it. The feature is aimed at anyone interested in books by or about black people and it is especially aimed at retailers looking for just the right titles to stock.
Its easy to say, “oh just put black books in with all the others.” but in todays book world, you succeed in selling books by making sure that the people who really want your books can find them and thats why we do annual AF-Am feature. Its good business for readers, no matter their background. thanks much.
hey everybody. I am the editor that oversees the African American feature each year and I have been doing it for probably about 20 years or so. yes, I’m the guy that picked the cover image. I’m not going to get into debating the merits of the image, I’ve already said how I feel about it and why I chose it.
But I will say that the reason we do an annual feature on African American books is not because we’re trying to set up separate but equal book shelves at the library and bookstore. We do it because black consumers spend upwards of $300 million or more each year on books. We do it because over the last 20 years, books aimed at black consumers, as well as anybody else interested in AF-AM life, have exploded in quantity and quality with books of all kinds–nonfiction, fiction, literary commercial, photography, art books, you name it. The feature is aimed at anyone interested in books by or about black people and it is especially aimed at retailers looking for just the right titles to stock.
Its easy to say, “oh just put black books in with all the others.” but in todays book world, you succeed in selling books by making sure that the people who really want your books can find them and thats why we do annual AF-Am feature. Its good business for readers, no matter their background. thanks much.
“FORGET ABOUT ALL THE OTHER ARGUMENTZZZ: THIS IS ABOUT ECONOMICS!”
“ECONOMICS WINZZZ ANY ARGUMENT!!!! IF YOU CAN MAKE MONEY BY CATERING TO OR EXPLOITING A NICHE THEN DAMN!!! YOU SHOULD DO IT!!!”
“I FORGOT NUANCE EVEN EXISTS!!!”
“ETZZETERA, ETZZETERA!!!”
ZZZZIPP DOESN’T EVEN NECESSARILY DISAGREE GREAT FOR THE EXPOSURE AND WHATEVER BUT DOESN’T PUTTING AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOKS IN THEIR OWN SECTIONS, CONCENTRATING ONE ISSUE A YEAR ON THEM, SAY MORE THAN JUST “DOING THAT IS GOOD ECONOMICALLY”??? AND IF THAT’S THE ONLY REASON TO DO IT, IS THAT A GOOD REASON??? AHHHHHHHHHHHH
“FORGET ABOUT ALL THE OTHER ARGUMENTZZZ: THIS IS ABOUT ECONOMICS!”
“ECONOMICS WINZZZ ANY ARGUMENT!!!! IF YOU CAN MAKE MONEY BY CATERING TO OR EXPLOITING A NICHE THEN DAMN!!! YOU SHOULD DO IT!!!”
“I FORGOT NUANCE EVEN EXISTS!!!”
“ETZZETERA, ETZZETERA!!!”
ZZZZIPP DOESN’T EVEN NECESSARILY DISAGREE GREAT FOR THE EXPOSURE AND WHATEVER BUT DOESN’T PUTTING AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOKS IN THEIR OWN SECTIONS, CONCENTRATING ONE ISSUE A YEAR ON THEM, SAY MORE THAN JUST “DOING THAT IS GOOD ECONOMICALLY”??? AND IF THAT’S THE ONLY REASON TO DO IT, IS THAT A GOOD REASON??? AHHHHHHHHHHHH
The cover image is a pretty good example of neoliberalism transforming protest/resistance symbols into products.
The cover image is a pretty good example of neoliberalism transforming protest/resistance symbols into products.
thnks for the pointer… I go to the Barnes on Union Square where their headquarters are at, I will look there, but i’m pretty sure the Borders closest to where I live has no Afro-American section, and if they do the books i’m looking for won’t be there. But at least now I have some clue what to call what I have been looking for.
thnks for the pointer… I go to the Barnes on Union Square where their headquarters are at, I will look there, but i’m pretty sure the Borders closest to where I live has no Afro-American section, and if they do the books i’m looking for won’t be there. But at least now I have some clue what to call what I have been looking for.
I used to enjoy reading Iceburg Slim… found his titles one day while at lunch during jury duty in Brooklyn.
I used to enjoy reading Iceburg Slim… found his titles one day while at lunch during jury duty in Brooklyn.
I thought they were gingerbread men.
I thought they were gingerbread men.
I kind of agree with Tim.
On another note: I found this piece to be really, really funny.
I kind of agree with Tim.
On another note: I found this piece to be really, really funny.
WOW!