Why is money, sex, drugs, and other negativity so prevalent in lots of Black fiction?

Question

I'm Black and also a writer. When I go to the bookstore or check out a book rack in the African American section I see books mostly about sex, infidelity, money, bling, the game,and other things. I don't write this kind of fictionand don't read these kinds of books, but that's most of what I see. I know Black people are much more multi-faceted that this but these books are everywhere. Why is this. To me thiese things are degrading to Blacks but they sell. Thanks

Answer 1

I am not a writer but a reader and I have to disagree. What authors are you reading. What a good idea for you to do is to look into some good A,A authors and tell these book stores about them....

Answer 2

I think its similar to why rap music is more prevalent on the charts as opposed to other types of music presented by the African-American community. This type of fiction seems to appeal to the younger generation and its what the publishers and writers see is selling. The marketing of these books, flashy covers and catchy titles, have the same ingredients - sex, money, and danger -that many other products have in society that are marketed for mass appeal. They do seem to overshadow the other fiction offerings of black writers but one must look a bit further to find other offerings. There are many other genres out there that don't get all the hype. Make sure to visit a black bookstore because there will be a greater selection to choose from.

Answer 3

i have often wondered the same thing. i have gotten into many heated discussions on essence book site about this. it is not only the authors but the publishers. they only publish this type of african american fiction and ignore real stories.

what i don't understand is why the media and the white world are ALL OVER the rap industry because of its content, but they don't ask the white owned publishing houses to reconsider how they package these books.

i believe everyone should be able to read and write what they want, but the covers of the books do not have to be so graphic. and how many times can you read the same story. thugs, promiscuity, drugs, the game, criminal activity and a young girl that gets caught up but is suddenly learns a lesson and changes her life in the end. i also think it is degrading and it sends the wrong message to the rest of society. most black people DO NOT live like that. you are right, we are much more multi-faceted than this.

it does sell. but i have always wondered who actually buys it. last night i saw two very young sisters in the book store buying one of these books. i just hope they realize that this is just fiction, like what they see on TV and that people do not live like this, i am sure they don't live like that.

but to the people that write these books, make that money, man.

Answer 4

I am white and live in a community that has become predominately black over the past 10 years or so. The public access channel in my area has a program called "Message to Black Men" that airs 24/7. It has me scared to death. All it preaches is how the black people have been abused by white people. You ask about things being degrading to blacks. As far as I know no one in my family ever was into slave trade. If you listen to this man, all white people should pay for slavery. I'm getting sick this whole business. I can think of many things that have been done to women, blacks, homeless and lots of other things. Get off it!! Thanks. Do you have an answer?

Answer 5

I think it's partially the idea of what "Black fiction" really is. It's different than fiction written by a Black writer. It has a genre, and as such, it has certain expectations. These expectations are carried by the publishers as well, so only that stuff gets published.

It also may have something to do with the backgrounds these writers come from. The worse the area you grow up in, the more it shows up in what you write. A great many Black writers come from poor economic circumstances.

Answer 6

Probally b/c its a problem in a lot of black communities...im black but live in a community with 70 percent white. So this is my best answer. Yea i agree blacks are multi faceted have changed as a people. My mom said that when she went to school most didnt think about college only a few but all my friends want to be succesful and go to college, so i think this generation of teens might change for the better!

Answer 7

well Iam black and read all types of books but I also grew up in the ghetto and those books depict the life in the ghetto. i have read many of those books and have found that although they're mostly about living the fast life they also show you the dangerous of living life fast and illegal. There's always a message in each book and although there is lots of negativity they have something positive in them.Yes they may seem degrading but when trying to reach and teach a certain group of ppl you have to talk their languageif you want to reach them,and that's what these books do .Besides not all black authors write ghettofaboulous book. It's all about writing what you know.

Answer 8

Because until recently (recently meaning the last 30years) Blacks were regarded in that fashion. Black Americans were not "Multi-Million Dollar" sports figures, talk show hosts or famous comedians for that matter. Blacks were subject to a great deal of oppression for many years and the majority of the Black community regressed to sub-culture standards for the most part as a survival mechanism. Blacks were not privy to libraries, top honor schools, or elite clubs. Therefore struggle was the only option available. Blacks are not the only culture to experience this lifestyle dilemma but for the most part because of slavery were the most exposed culture. I know a great deal about the culture but most people don't know a thing about the struggles of Black people throughout our History as a Country. People just don't really understand until you explain things to them.

Answer 9

In college I asked myself these same questions. My locker partner in school was black, I was white. I teamed up with him before we both realized that nobody would approve. Oh well, I became aware of one thing during that time, our fathers were both factory workers, our mothers stay at home and we both hated our sisters at the time. You see Races can mix, black - white; Asian - black and so on.

Classes can not. Upper Middle; Lower Upper and the like. Unfortunately, these things in which you speak are not fa miler to black culture as you already know, but poor uneducated low class people no matter what color.

When we are down and out, It is my belief that these types of things are more socially acceptable. Black people are some of the most forgiving accepting human beings I have ever met. I love them and those that know me, love me.

Love conquers a multitude of sins. Want to write about something different in the black community, write about that
that.

Answer 10

This is degrading! To anyone. Even the ones that read it. It is exciting though and that is what sells the best. Some really good writers waste their talent writing this stuff but they need the money or they want the money.If you don't write like this, keep writing. It may be harder to sell your books but they will be much more appreciated then those other kind.The books like you write are the ones that people keep and put in their library's.The others are tossed eventually.