Forgive me for being a day late and a dollar short. For the last couple of months, I was on 
deadline, so I’m playing catch-up with some of my favorite blogs. A few days ago, I discovered the blogosphere brouhaha surrounding the Coretta Scott King Book Award. The controversy surrounding the CSK Award has a common thread with the recent and much publicized incidents involving Professor Henry Gates and author Justine Larbalestier. And that common thread is simply Black and White.
deadline, so I’m playing catch-up with some of my favorite blogs. A few days ago, I discovered the blogosphere brouhaha surrounding the Coretta Scott King Book Award. The controversy surrounding the CSK Award has a common thread with the recent and much publicized incidents involving Professor Henry Gates and author Justine Larbalestier. And that common thread is simply Black and White.
Here’s a synopsis of the CSK Award: It was established by two school librarians in 1969 and this year, will mark its fortieth anniversary. Annually, the award is presented to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of children’s books. In 1982, the award was recognized by the American Library Association.
Simple right? Hmmm…not so fast.
In the past, some authors and editors have chimed in, providing their viewpoint on the CSK Award. However, the post by an unnamed editor on May 17th at Editorial Anonymous caused all hell to break loose. It was this particular statement by the editor that really caught my attention:
“So there’s a need to encourage stories, books, TV shows, films, etc that show all kinds of races as heroes, as heartthrobs, as neighbors. Encouraging people to see the world from points of view other than their own is a wonderful thing. Encouraging people to see people of all races as simply people is a wonderful thing.
But that’s not what the CSK is doing. If the CSK were in charge, male writers wouldn’t be able to comment on what it’s like to be a woman. The CSK is saying that you cannot understand what it is to be black in America unless you are black.
Giving an award for creating art about the experience of race is a wonderful thing. But giving an award for creating art and being a particular race?
That’s racism in action.” Does this editor’s theory hold true for other awards, which recognizes African American authors like the African American Literary Awards, Black Caucus of the Library Association Literary Award and the Romance Slam Jam Emma Award, to name a few? The question isn’t posed to spark a war of racism. I’m just asking…
Instead of questioning the existence of literary awards for African American authors, let’s work on the issues that catapulted them into existence in the first place.
And if it takes a moment for the last statement to sink in, I’ll wait. Until next time – stay well and be blessed,
LaConnie
2 Responses to “BLACK OR WHITE”
Comments (2)
Yes, I know what you're getting at, LaConnie. On target! When no books by Black folks win other big time award for years, that's never protested by the majority. Nope, they take it as a given that it must be because no books by Black authors have ever been as excellent. Hmm, so let me get this straight: for decades there is no possibility that a Black author could write an award winning book in any genre? Please.
Enter the awards like the CSK. Beating your head against a wall only gets you a headache. So folks just do what makes sense, create a venue to recognize the excellence that isn't being acknowledged. Period.
Waiting for your next post!
Hi Lynn:
You got it!!
And I agree with you a thousand percent; continue to write the best darn stories possible.