Past TRR Issue
Suffice it to say, people focusing on African-American literature are doing more than just talking about what’s now being read and what’s selling. In every facet of our cultural and real-time existence there will always be phenomena that comes around to define a de facto way of life that is all the rage. I was one who back in the day said that Hip-Hop and rap music wouldn’t be around long. I waited and wondered when the change would occur so that I could get back to what I was used to. There’s something new on the horizon, but yet it’s as old as how we define what we read. We embrace these things and before anyone can say “change” it’s part of the lexicon. I liken this new genre in African-American literature to this, but hey…is it really new? Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s and a few years beyond I can remember reading and relishing books produced by Holloway House Publishers…. and yes, Donald Goines was one of the writers gaining prominence there. I read novels by Iceberg Slim, Chester Himes, Ishmael Reed, and cherished The Cotillion, that effervescent novel by John Oliver Killens and a few others that wrote on the cutting edge of sophistication when it came to depicting life on the street. I’ve always felt that this type of writing adds color to our canvas and give Blacks identity in their own neighborhoods. I read them then as I do now, marveling at how authors today are still using the same hues to tell their stories, putting a neo classic spin in solidifying what is so unique to those that are identifying with the status quo for today. I speak of the hip-hop cult, the gansta styling and the rap vernacular that encompasses all of the above that has spilled over to literature. Mainstream publishing circles have taken it upon themselves to label this writing Urban Fiction, thus corralling everything that is remotely similar to this label without regard to parameters that would give separate meanings to what the author is writing. Quite a few published reports are giving us information that cannot be ignored. So much so that we’ve been alerted that new books in the upside of urban/street or hip-hop literature are outselling a lot of the mainstream AA literature. Moreover, criticism of this form of writing is becoming louder and louder and have given fodder to those that think that it is just a fad, or perhaps it won’t be around long because of inferior writing. This can be expected when the norm is defined with sensationalism riding the waves upholding the thug life, glorified sex and other sensibilities that fuel this heated fire…and the controversy rages on! Who are reading these books? And what are the motive behind the why and what of it all? Better yet, what is urban/street fiction? Will the language and vernacular of everyday people in black neighborhoods give credence to stories written by authors who may have lived the life? This latest addition to The Romer Review features the heartbeat of the streets…. that expressive writing that mainstream publishers so hurriedly and without foresight labeled it ‘Urban Fiction’ thus categorizing any book with this flavor as inclusive without regard to subgenre. The intent here is to not give you all of the answers visited in this essay, but to just give basic insight from the voices that have been chosen to give you their idea of this genre. You will get a chance to read comments by author Dwayne S. Joseph, a young writer on the rise who candidly expressed sentiments that are so real when talking to others in the industry; Shannon Holmes is adamant about his passion and The Muse Online shares a personal view of this situation. I dubbed it “Tales From Da ‘Hood and Other Urban Stories!” The key here is to give insight to the loud sounds from any neighborhood where the majority people of color adhere to a lifestyle that would lend credence to the fiction and imagery of the writers who’re writing it. There’s even a panel discussion onboard for comments from four authors who are knee-deep and knowing! The key here is to give you a different perspective on this writing and allow you to hear a few of the writers’ views on what they are writing and why.
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