Although Hollywood has become saturated with a preponderance of superhero films—namely those licensed by the Marvel Comics franchise—these projects rarely, if ever, feature an African American lead. In the comic-book realm, a sweeping wave of cultural diversity has inspired the “browning” of numerous, formerly European characters, including the ever-popular Spiderman, Captain America, and others.
Books
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African and African Americans.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Time to take care of business
Keith sat there much relieved watching TV with Sam gently snoring on his shoulder. Sorely tempted, but relieved. And nibbled pretzels.
Once he was sure she was asleep, Keith eased out from under her. Went over to the bed and quietly picked up the guitar. Did an old jam his dad had taught him. An hysterical old ditty by Jim Croce.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Crusading journalist’s anti-lynching writings make for fiery reading
Over 70 years before Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, Ida B. Wells was similarly arrested for refusing to surrender her seat on a train to a White person.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Anthology gives MN Black writers well-deserved recognition
Blues Vision: African American Writing from Minnesota (Minnesota Historical Society/Minnesota Humanities Center), prose and poetry culled from the proverbial cream of the Twin Cities crop of African American authors…
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
J-Lo’s first book a fluff-filled souvenir meant only for true fans
It might be hard to believe that Jennifer Lopez hasn’t published a book before now.
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From Prison to Ph.D.: Local writer’s memoir a story of crime and redemption
Jason Sole realized he had become a statistic when he was convicted for a felony for the third time.
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How-to book helps Black families survive dangers of criminal justice system
“The August 9th fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri has focused global attention on the precarious safety of young African-American men… Brown is only the most recent addition to the tragic list of shootings of young, African-American men that have ignited media attention in recent years. But the fact is […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Attorney-activist pleads case against mass incarceration in new book
“Our criminal justice system is in need of reform. [It] costs the taxpayers too much, fails at rehabilitation, exacts a life-long toll on offenders, and does not yield corresponding social benefits. “The purpose of this book is three-fold: (1) to provide information about the causes and extent of the problems overwhelming the process of criminal […]
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Sci-fi author places Black people, history at the center of the universe
Back in the late 1970s, in one of Richard Pryor’s routines, riffing on the science fiction flick Logan’s Run, he noted there weren’t any Black characters in that movie and blithely opined to the audience, “Y’all ain’t plannin’ for us to be here.” Strictly speaking, Roscoe Lee Browne did make a blink-and-you-miss-him appearance, but for all intents and purposes the movie was white as snow.
Posted inArts + Culture, Books
Writer hopes her children’s books can make the world a better place
Author selected as ‘One of 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ Caring isn’t merely a word to M. Ann Machen Pritchard (don’t ask what the M. stands for, she won’t tell you). It’s a heart-and-soul-felt sense of commitment to community, which moved her to write and illustrate the uniquely empowering books Phil the Pill […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Books, News
Recently e-published writer ‘digs humanity’
Name the subject — any subject — and Dwight Hobbes will have something unique to say about it. After his writing appeared over the years in such publications as Reader’s Digest, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Essence and the MSR, Hobbes finally relented after being oft-asked when he’d write a book.
Posted inNews
Escaping Jim Crow American Caste
Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles: Although we see these cities today as places with large numbers of African Americans, they weren’t always that way. Isabel Wilkerson describes the great migration of six million African Americans across the country from the South in her book The Warmth of Other Suns. She is the […]