The 100 Best Books of 2005
By Keith Boykin, in books
Wednesday, November 30 2005, 12:24PM
The New York Times has put out its list of 100 notable books of the year. These lists are like car accidents. We don't like them but we can't help looking. So naturally as a black author, I thought I would check the list for black books. I found three. Well, actually, that depends on how you count.
I actually found two books that I knew for sure were written by black authors. One, in the fiction column, is Zadie Smith's book On Beauty. The other, in the nonfiction column, is Mirror to America, the autobiography of the legendary black historian John Hope Franklin. But then there's Dream Boogie, the new biography of Sam Cooke. The subject is black, the audience is probably black, but the author is white. Does that make it a black book or not?
Also on the list is Bury The Chains, a story of black Haitian armies defeating white French and British forces. It's written by Adam Hochschild. Is this a black book? And don't forget Beyond Glory: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, and a World on the Brink, written by David Margolick. Is that a black book? Or how about Made In Detroit: A South of 8-Mile Memoir by white author Paul Clemens, who reflects on growing up white in a black city? That may be a tough sell, but what about Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town, a book about dozens of black residents of a small town in Texas who were convicted of drug charges on the testimony of a single unreliable cop? Are any of these black books? Are all of these black books?
I don't have an answer to those questions, but I do know that one of the challenges in nonfiction is that many of the well-researched biographies of black historical figures are written by non-black authors. There's a reason for that. Author Peter Guralnick, who is white, worked on his Sam Cooke biography for almost 15 years. Most black authors live a day-to-day existence and don't have the time or the resources to be able to spend decades writing a single book. Joshua Gamson's recent biography of Sylvester and both recent biographies of Bayard Rustin, a black gay civil rights activist who worked closely with Dr. King, were written by white authors. One, Lost Prophet, was written by John D'Emilio. The other, Bayard Rustin: Troubles I've Seen, was written by Jervis Anderson.
Looking back in history we see other examples as well. The Pulitzer Prize winning book, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, about the civil rights era, was written by a well respected white author, Taylor Branch. One notable exception, however, is The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was actually written by Alex Haley, the famous black author who later wrote Roots: The Saga of An American Family.
Black authors may shy away from certain black topics because of fear that they may get pigeonholed into writing only about those topics. Malcolm Gladwell (Blink, The Tipping Point) is one of the few black nonfiction authors who has broken out into mainstream popular culture, but with his fair skin and long curly hair, he's not identifiably black to many readers who don't know his family lineage. But then there's another challenge. When black writers venture away from black topics, black readers may be a bit suspicious that the authors are "selling out." What's a black author to do?
Why doesn't America pay attention to black books? Except for those books about legendary historical figures or those crossover books that are designed to appeal to mass audiences, white Americans don't seem particularly interested in reading about the black experience. Perhaps that's because the privilege of whiteness affords them the opportunity to ignore or deny minority cultures that don't seem to have a direct impact on their day-to-day lives.
Or is it because black authors aren't producing enough books? That can't be the case. All you have to do is walk down 125th Street in Harlem to see the plethora of black books put out every week. Then could it be because the books we publish just don't appeal to whites? Certainly there are some very trivial and trashy black books published every year. But then again there are some trivial and trashy non-black books published every year too (See Friday's review of Why Do Men Have Nipples?). And white Americans won't have a problem picking up Dennis Rodman's new tell-all just because it's trivial.
The irony is that America's best promoter of literature is herself a black reader. Of course, that would be Oprah Winfrey, who has the power to make a book just by mentioning it on her popular show. Others have tried to follow suit in making book recommendations. Tyra Banks interviewed celebrity authors Karrine Steffans (Confessions of A Video Vixen) and Dennis Rodman on her show this week, and the ABC series "Commander In Chief" threw in a plug for Joan Didion's new book, The Year of Magical Thinking, last night. What struggling black author wouldn't love publicity like that?
The reality is that I don't have the answers. But I do expect a lot from the New York Times. Maybe I shouldn't. But I hope that one day when I pick up a list of the 100 best books of the year, I will find more than 2 or 3 books written by black authors. Who should bear responsibility for that? I'm not sure.
Comments conceal
alicia banks
November 30 2005, 12:38PM
wow
great info keith!
thanks
i have toiled all year..
but i will catch up on my pleasure reading asap this summer
do not forget
"shame of a nation" by kozol
and
"is bill cosby right..." by dyson
another classic work by a sage
2 of the best i have read recently...
peace
ab
Doug Cooper-Spencer
November 30 2005, 2:01PM
Blacks are victims of the 'Invisible Man' syndrome. We are seen by whites usually when it makes them feel comfortable or gives them a reason to vilify us. Hence, we usually make the media either when we entertain them (i.e. sports, music, comedy, etc.) or become a direct threat to their well-being. I guess it is up to us to support us, and if enough of the high profile blacks do give us exposure (Oprah, Tyra, even politicians, athletes and performers during interviews) maybe we can get a wider audience. I know I for one write mostly with a black audience in mind, and though my subject matter might be black/gay (after-all I am both), the themes, like all themes reflect the human experience. Oh yeah, but I forget I just might not be human to many of whites since I am invisible. But in the meantime we must support each other and promote each other and our experiences.
jazzi
November 30 2005, 2:10PM
I too have struggled with the question of whether I should read a book by a white author concerning African American people or issues important to us. Should it make a difference? Perhaps not. John Grisham, Pat Cornwell & Robin Cook are some of my favorite authors. I've read almost everthing they have written. What if one of them wanted to write about Fannie Lou Hamer? Does the fact that she was an African American & they are not make the bio less valid, less authentic?
I guess I'm thinking what could any white person truely know about black people or black issues? What are their motives? To exploit or inform? Are they approaching this from a point of prejudice, bigotry & bias? Did they do their homework? I don't think they are qualified to do that. It's really silly of me to think that way because there are many white authors who are probably more qualified to write about black issues than some blacks.
I did read "The Fabulous Sylvester". Excellent book. The author, Joshua Gamson, even questioned whether he should have been the one to write this book because among other things, he's white. In the end, I think he did justice to the memory of this talented, pioneering, Black, gay icon. It was well researched & well written. Perhaps that's all that should matter.
I do feel that a lot more African American authors need to start telling our stories. Why should that be left to someone else? We're as qualified to do so as anyone else.
Steven A. Claiborne
November 30 2005, 2:15PM
Three books I would add to the list:
HUNG, by Scott Poulson-Bryant
A Million Little Pieces, by James Frey
and of course...
Beyond the Down Low, by Keith Boykin
Congrats on all the success with the book Keith!!!
Unconquerablesoul
November 30 2005, 2:19PM
I had no clue that Malcolm Gladwel was black. I read the Tipping Point two months ago. I wonder if he would be as successful if people knew he was a black man.
This is a great post! I'm currently finishing up Lost Prophet, it amazing me that this biography of Brother Rustin was written by a white man.
Absolutelee
November 30 2005, 2:39PM
I suppose it's not completely surprizing that there aren't many Black books on an elitist type of list such as the New York Times. Maybe they think that Black author's don't have the credibility that White ones do, which is why they put books about Black people on their list, but these books are written by Whites. Sounds a bit twisted to me, but that seems to be what's going on.
I was watching LOGO the other night and they had OUT magazines "OUT 100" list on, which is their list of interesting and influential people of 2005. The list was all white, with the exception of two Blacks, both of which were hetersexual. One was Kanye West for his pro gay comments on his MTV interview and the other was Shaquille O'Neal, something about him sticking up for a gay person who was being verbally assaulted in a public place where O'Neal was present. I did hear (but missed it myself) that they included Cheryl Swoops on that list. So if that's the case, then they only found one Black person who was GLBT and fit their criteria of being influential and/interesting. With all the visible leadership going on in the Black GLBT community, I think they could have found more than one Black openly GLBT person to put on their list.
I guess we're still not on their radar. To get any credit, we may have to create our own lists.
Absolutelee
http://lees-space.blogspot.com/
jeffrey
November 30 2005, 3:56PM
I believe that though many of these books suffer from the lack of input from the "black experience" they are still significant texts. While many of them are written out of a need to identify with the "oppressions of the world" through writing those oppressions--much of the scholarship comes from a desire to learn. In one sense, black folks are once again the subjects to be studied, while much of the studying does nothing to help our living. On the other hand, many white people/scholars have a sincere interest in investigating raced people and race as it operates in America(and are intuitively aware of their privilege and power as white folks--to turn things upside down). The problem is two fold: 1.) As Keith has stated, we as blacks are rarely given the same amount of resources and recognition to pursue the type of research necessary to accomplish the full goals of writing non-fiction 2.) we live in a time when white people seemed more fascinated by the telling of "experience" from the perspective of those commonly thought to have no relationship to the "other." These are just a couple issues I have with such write-ups of "blackness."
faye
November 30 2005, 4:47PM
absolulee i also saw some of logo,s out 100. idid not watch all of it. but idid see where they mention patrik ian polk on theshow.it will be back on today .they also mention other,s i just can,t remeber who.but i will see it today. i also need to catch up on my reading. thanks keith good looking out faye.
Bklynbro
November 30 2005, 6:32PM
Absolutlee - in regards to Out's Out 100 you said "With all the visible leadership going on in the Black GLBT community, I think they could have found more than one Black openly GLBT person to put on their list."
What is your definition of leadership? In the Black community what can Black gays and lesbians point to that says we are responsible for all this good? How much money has been raised in the Black gay community to help worthy causes? How many businesses are owned by Black gays. Hell, you'd be hard pressed to even find a Black gay owned club or lounge in any major city.
Please tell me - who is the name and face of fighting homophobia in our communities, and the entertainment business and churches? Who has organized a march?
There's a very good reason so few Blacks are not on the OUT 100 list. Leadership is more than talk it's serious action that accomplishes good that benefits many.
Vince
November 30 2005, 10:44PM
guys this is a survey i found online about the best books of 05
readerschoiceonline.org
Absolutelee
November 30 2005, 10:46PM
In response to Bklynbro, I think there is most definitely leadership that's going on in the Black GLBT community. For starters, you are on the website of someone who has contributed to the betterment of not only Black GLBT person's lives, but to our country in general. While I agree that economic development is important as well as providing social spaces that are welcoming to Black GLBT folks, these are not the only signs of "leadership" in my opinion.
There are a few people that I think could have been included on this list such as Keith Boykin. He and the NBJC did quite a bit in the way of negotiations with Louis Farakan to get inclusion of gays in this years march, even if he didn't get to speak at the podium in the end.
Cleo Manago has done quite a bit for Black SGL folks, though some may not agree with his tacticts, just as some may not agree with Keith's. Having a Black SGL presence at a huge event like the March was a big step for the gay community given the fact that the Nation of Islam and other Black clergy that were involved with this event have a history of being fixed in their homophobic views.
This doesn't take into account all the other Black GLBT folks who do work in their communities toward improving the lives of Black GLBT folks where they live.
Faye- I suppose that I need to watch the show over again and pay closer attention to the few Black folks that made that list.
Absolutelee
http://lees-space.blogspot.com/
Charlton
December 1 2005, 8:53AM
Great observation. I have long wondered why black writers seem to avoid biographies of black lives. It seems that blacks who write autobiographies of blacks are generally scholars, whose existences are not nearly as "day-to-day" as teh average writer's life. The best example being David Levring Lewis' towering achievement -- 2 Pulitzer Prizes!! -- on DuBois, and the similar work by Arnold Rampersad on Langston Hughes, Nell Painter's work on Soujourner Truth, etc. I cannot think of a single black biography written by a black writer not connected to the academy. But I am certain that this is probably true for lots of other areas, including political commentary and the like. Most of the black writers I can think of are attached to some academic institution in some way.
Bklynbro
December 1 2005, 10:50AM
Absolutlee - obviously we see things very differently and will have to agree to disagree. BTW - i like your blog.
True Marks
December 1 2005, 4:27PM
"It was well researched & well written. Perhaps that's all that should matter."
I'd say the same except leave out that word perhaps.
These comments are very interesting since my partner and I just a few days ago had the “everything is not about race” discussion.
So what do more black authors need to do to be on this list? Write more great books! It is as simple as that. There is nothing to indicate anyone made the list (or didn’t) for any other reason.
Jessica
December 2 2005, 2:10PM
Great post Keith-
I just have to say, your comment regarding biographies on Black subjects being written by White men seems to insinuate that White authors have the resources to do these in depth, time consuming studies while Black authors do not. Let's be fair now- most authors, as you know, Black or White, maintain day jobs and work on their books at night or whenever they get a spare moment. My husband, an author on that top 100 list, wrote his book by working a 9-5 he hated, coming home to be with his family, then staying up until 2 am almost every night for over 3 years to get his book researched and finished. And he certainly won't be quitting his day job soon. Few people have the resources to be a full time writer.
With that said, any suggestions on texts that didn't make the list?
NancyP
December 2 2005, 5:25PM
Heh, heh! ""Best" lists like car accidents - don't like'em, can't help looking" - perfect!
So, is there a black LGBT literary journal (or any semi-serious periodical) that does reviews?
James Simpson
December 3 2005, 11:55PM
What is wrong with Black Americans? What is with this black American slave mentality? Why are you all crying because black books were on the NY TIMES list? Who cares? Don't you have Black Issues Book Review in the United States? That's a black literary magazine right? Why not work together and stop crying about not getting white America's approval? Do you constantly seem to constantly want the approval of white America. This is one thing I don't understand. I guess because I originated from a predominantly black country I don't have that kind of strange black American mentality... It is something that I guess since I am a foreigner I don't understand. Hello, NY TIMES is a white American newspaper..of course..black writers aren't going to be on the list? Who cares what they think? Isn't the important thing that more and more black writers are getting involved in publishing and writing professionally. My beef with the book industry is that there simply isn't enough scholarship or range by black American scholars..They talk about the race issue all the time in relation to white Americans.