2007-07-29 04:12:00 · 7 answers · asked by v_mann79 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
No, I do not think book stores should label African American literature as urban fiction. To do so is very discrimanatory. Furthermore, blacks aren't the only ones living in urban areas.
2007-08-02 04:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Several years ago I was introduced as a reader at the annual event for an independent book distributor and for the first time was welcomed (by the mc and on the flyers) as an "Urban Poet." I was inclined to write a new poem on the spot, as I immediately got this was to be the new buzz word for being African American...my off the cuff poem noted that I lived int he suburbs, so should I have been called a "sub-urban?" The notion that ALL writing in the canon by writers from the African Diaspora be labeled "urban" is ridiculous and off the mark...and then where would Chris Abani's work be shelved under this proposed moniker? Zora Neale Hurston - Urban?
Need I say more? Yes, I will be clear..African American Literature is literary projects that include: fiction, memoir, novel and poetry...simple!
2007-08-04 07:36:24 · answer #2 · answered by sufiwarrior 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that would not make any sense. And what does "African American literature" mean, anyway? Do you mean literature written by African Americans or fiction written about African Americans? In either case however, the term "urban fiction" would seem to refer to fiction with urban settings or fiction written by urban dwellers. The sets are not identical, so your proposal makes no sense.
2007-08-04 22:31:35 · answer #3 · answered by treebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Honestly I don't think that they should even make a big deal on the writer's race (African American Literature). I haven't noticed any other labels (European Literature or Asian Literature). I believe it should all just be called Literature.
2007-08-04 21:18:34 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki210 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is African American literature, but is set in the country.
Likewise, there are plenty of books that aren't by or about African Americans that are set in cities, too.
2007-07-29 13:04:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why? Not all African American literature is urban based.
2007-07-29 11:15:21 · answer #6 · answered by Jackie Oh! 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No=should it be called African American?
It's literature do we call Asian American, Greek American etc. why are African Americans always singled out?
Many of us don't have anything to do with Africa as so many European Americans don't have anything to do with Europe.
2007-08-04 20:58:41 · answer #7 · answered by margherita 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋