sat'day riddymz

Book Review: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

"All the while I understood that it was not discouragement or fear or search for a larger field of action and opportunity that was driving me out of the Negro race. I knew that it was shame, unbearable shame. Shame at being identified with a people that could with impunity be treated worse than animals. For certainly the law would restrain and punish the malicious burning alive of  animals."                                                                                                                                                                    This novel by James Weldon Johnson, probably better known for writing the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was first published in 1912. Although it is not actually his autobiography, Johnson lays out the life journey of a man born of a black mother and a white father, but who can pass for white, and the lessons he learns about racial identity in early 20th century America. These life lessons convinces him in the end that it is better to live as an "invisible", ordinary white man in America, than to embrace, nurture and utilize his God given talents and abilities in an effort to contribute to his African-American heritage and it's blossoming and unique culture.

Thought-provoking for sure, the twist and turns in the life of this melodramatic figure, did not lead me to cast a stone of judgement or shake my head in disgust (mixed with pity) towards the character, as much as it led me to understand his surrender to what is easier, rather than to struggle for what is better. He isn't the first... he won't be the last...

"he who is without sin, cast the first stone"...

Book Review: The Sport of the Gods

"This was but for an hour, for even while they exclaimed they knew that there was no way, and that the stream of young negro life would continue to flow up from the South, dashing itself against the hard necessities of the city and breaking like waves against a rock, -- that until the gods grew tired of their cruel sport, there must still be sacrifices to false ideals and unreal ambitions."

The Sport of the Gods is a novel by Paul Laurence Dunbar, better known as an African-American poet. It's an intense story about an African-American family in the post Civil War era, who are unjustly accused and ostracized for a crime they didn't commit. While the father is imprisoned, the mother, son and daughter are forced to travel north to New York, to pick up the pieces of their lives. The hardships they experience and endure causes drastic, as well as dramatic changes in their values and relationships with each other.

Once the truth is revealed, too much time and events have transpired for everything to return to the way it was before... a happier and more innocent existence for the family and those responsible for the injustices they suffered.

This novel was published in 1902 and it is indeed a classic read. It moves rather effortlessly through different situations and locations, bringing a rythmic blend to details to engage the reader as it pushes the story along. It uncovers the life and prejudices of the idyllic Southern life and juxtaposes this with the harsh realities of the urban North, also with it's own dynamics of prejudices.   

sat'day riddymz

The Caine Prize for African Writing 2011

I discovered the competition for The Caine Prize for African Writing 2011 quite by accident a little while ago. I am sure many of you can relate to this. I was surfing the web, reading a variety of posts and articles and stumbled upon it. The Prize is awarded to an African writer of a short story published in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere. The first prize was awarded in 2000 at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2000 in Harare and it's usually awarded every July. I read this years' 5 entries, enjoyed them immensely and wanted to share them here:

• David Medalie’s “The Mistress’s Dog” (South Africa)
• Laurie Kubuitsile’s “In the Spirit of McPhineas Lata” (Botswana)
• Timothy Keegan’s “What Molly Knew” (South Africa)
• Beatrice Lamwaka’s “Butterfly Dreams” (Uganda)
• NoViolet Bulawayo’s “Hitting Budapest” (This year's winner from Zimbabwe)

Book Review: Imperium in Imperio: A Study Of The Negro Race Problem

One the the things I did when I got my new Amazon Kindle, was go through the over 5,000 free ebooks which they offered. I found this book among the titles. I had never heard of it before, nor it's authour Sutton E. Griggs. The books description peaked my interest: "Self-published in 1899 and sold door-to-door by the author, this classic African-American novel, a gripping exploration of oppression, miscegenation, exploitation, and black empowerment, was a major bestseller in its day. The dramatic story of a conciliatory black man and a mulatto nationalist who grow up in a racist America and are driven to join a radical movement dedicated to the creation of an all-black nation in Texas, Imperium in Imperio had a profound influence on the development of black nationalism." Further research about the author revealed that he was a Baptist minister as well as a social activist.

This novel is beautifully written and utilizes imagery in a way that brings to life the essence of the characters. It lays out simply and moves easily among a variety of themes, within which a multi-layered influences propels each character towards their fate. I must admit I was astonished that such a novel was written in 1899, one that explores and discusses the issues of race in America, not only among Blacks and Whites, but also the issues around colourism within the Black community, especially in such a dynamic and dramatic way. I did not find the story line predictable and the intrigue of what would happen next fed my interest.  

As someone who reads and has read a lot of books, this novel was indeed a rare gem that I found. It is among the 10 best books I had ever read, fiction or non-fiction.