Another good workout, another day down. I weigh a LOT less than I thought (YAY!), but I'm still going to use the Xenadrine. I might as well make that $30 work for me. On my way out, I ran into Furacão, Rochelle and Edna - so I'll be back up in the Capoeira Workout VERY soon.
I've been so interested in books lately (must be those spiffy new bookshelves *grin!*), so I stopped next door to visit Clara Villarosa's Hue-Man Bookstore, the largest African-American bookstore in the country. In an inconspicuous corner of the store, she was busy; in the middle of a meeting where she seemed to be choosing books to sell with two assistants.
When she got up to check something on one of the computers at the counter, I made a beeline to her. I asked her if she would consider having a shelf of gay and lesbian titles. At first, she said "If there were enough titles, sure." I think the surprised look on my face begged her to reconsider that train of thought. She then said, "You know, we are planning to do that, but we need the titles. Maybe you guys can help me out with that?" Well, my face began to return to normal. A bit. Considering how formidable the resources and people are to whom she already has access. I said, with a smile, "Will do." and headed home.
Despite that awkward interaction, I believe to say that she means well would be an understatement. Maybe we can help her along with this process by submitting to her a list of titles authored by/related to Black LGBT people. Which would you like to see up in there on that shelf?
Why does it not shock me that this wasn’t done already?! :(
I would suggest every book written by James Baldwin. His fiction, and especially his essays. But let’s not stop there. There has been a resurgence of Baldwin scholarship. Much of it is important and intriguing.
I’ll definitely compile a list and will stop by Hue-Man either this coming weekend or early next week.
It surprises me ronn. Isn’t her daughter a lesbian? Didn’t they once write an article in Essence discussing her daughter coming out to her? I’m not asking b/c I don’t know. So, yeah, it surprises me she hadn’t thought to have a section for gay and lesbian literature in her store.
Lynn:
It’s after 1am, so I can’t remember exactly; but if I’m not mistaken, not only is one of her daughters a lesbian, she wrote about it for the book SISTERFRIENDS: PORTRAITS OF SISTERLY LOVE. I did some editing and compiling work on it and was shocked by her cavalier attitude once she discovered her oldest was a lesbian. There’s even a line about “punishing her” that (I guess) was suppose to be funny or unexpected. Instead…
Well I don’t want to go on till I’m sure it’s the same family. More later (maybe).
Sorry for mangling your name Lynne. Keep forgetting that “e.”
ronn I don’t know about that book, but they definitely wrote an article together in Essence many years back. Wish I still had it. It was late 80s, when Linda Vilarosa was still an editor at Essence. Back then Mom’s Hue-man bookstore in whatever city she lived in at the time was mentioned in the magazine quite a few times.
I guess just b/c your child is gay or lesbian doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going to be inclusive of…
Whatever man.
I just stopped by yesterday … the selection is getting MUCH better!