As we mourn the loss of Erica Kennedy, I choose to focus on her enduring literary legacy and overall awesomeness. I found the following clip on YouTube. It is Erica reading from her second novel Feminista at The Flesh Reading Series.
You can hear the joy that her writing elicits in the the response from the crowd.
Check her out:
Friday, June 15, 2012
Gone Too Soon: Erica Kennedy
Today, the world found out about the passing of writer Erica Kennedy.
Erica was the the author of two novels, Bling (2004) and Feminista (2009) and an renowned blogger. I first listened to Bling on CD while on a road trip and I loved it. I immediately ordered the book on amazon.com and reread it. I felt super lucky because the copy I ordered was signed by Erica.
When I joined Twitter, Erica was one of the first people I looked up. As a reader, writers were the first "celebs" that I idolized. Erica was one of those people. Although I never met her in person, Erica was one of the first writers who corresponded with me on Twitter. I told her that I had written about her for the Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Literature and she thanked me.
It really sucks to be writing about Erica Kennedy for only the second time and having it be in the past tense.
For those who didn't know of Erica and for those who loved her, the amazing Dr. Goddess has written a wonderful tribute and archived 150 pages of her tweets. You can check it out on DrGoddess.com.
Erica, you will be forever remembered for your wit and candor and for making it cool to be a smart and bodacious. You will be missed. Rest in peace.
Erica was the the author of two novels, Bling (2004) and Feminista (2009) and an renowned blogger. I first listened to Bling on CD while on a road trip and I loved it. I immediately ordered the book on amazon.com and reread it. I felt super lucky because the copy I ordered was signed by Erica.
When I joined Twitter, Erica was one of the first people I looked up. As a reader, writers were the first "celebs" that I idolized. Erica was one of those people. Although I never met her in person, Erica was one of the first writers who corresponded with me on Twitter. I told her that I had written about her for the Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Literature and she thanked me.
It really sucks to be writing about Erica Kennedy for only the second time and having it be in the past tense.
For those who didn't know of Erica and for those who loved her, the amazing Dr. Goddess has written a wonderful tribute and archived 150 pages of her tweets. You can check it out on DrGoddess.com.
Erica, you will be forever remembered for your wit and candor and for making it cool to be a smart and bodacious. You will be missed. Rest in peace.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Gwendolyn Brooks on "We Real Cool"
Happy Birthday Gwendolyn Brooks!
Gwendolyn Brooks was born 95 years ago today in Topeka, Kansas. Raised in Chicago, Brooks has the distinction of being the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. A renowned poet and writer, Brooks passed on December 3, 2000.
Gwendolyn Brooks is The Mother of Annie Allen, Maud Martha and the literary fairy god mother to countless readers and writers. From A Street in Bronzeville to In the Mecca and beyond, she gave a voice to the voiceless. She exhilarated us with her heartfelt words and inspired us with her accomplishments. She let us know that We Real Cool, just the way we are. She will be forever remembered and always cherished as a beloved and bodacious writer.
Happy 95th Ms. Brooks!!!
A Bibliophile is Born!
I love books. I always have and more likely than not, I always will. There are few things that I enjoy more than curling up with a good book. I can spend hours in a bookstore, perusing the aisles, looking at the covers. At any given moment, I have between 10-15 books checked out of the local library. And to top it off, I have library cards from three different states.
My love affair began at an early age. I can not pinpoint the exact moment, but I remember my mom and sometimes my cousin would read Dr. Seuss and Amelia Bedelia books to me. When I got older and could read on my own, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters was my favorite. That experience was the first time that I remember seeing black girls like me portrayed in the pages.
As a young teen, I discovered the 18 Pine Street series. I was obsessed with the main characters, cousins Sarah and Tasha. I read and reread those 12 books over and over again. I also discovered The Babysitters Club and The Sweet Vally High books. In high school, I developed an appreciation of the classics.
During college I was introduced to the African-American writers that didn't fit into the high school curriculum. In addition to Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, I was introduced to and gained an appreciation and love for the works of African-American women writers. Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Dorothy West, Tananarive Due, Tayari Jones and countless others have become staples in my life. I read and reread their works all the time.
My love affair began at an early age. I can not pinpoint the exact moment, but I remember my mom and sometimes my cousin would read Dr. Seuss and Amelia Bedelia books to me. When I got older and could read on my own, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters was my favorite. That experience was the first time that I remember seeing black girls like me portrayed in the pages.
As a young teen, I discovered the 18 Pine Street series. I was obsessed with the main characters, cousins Sarah and Tasha. I read and reread those 12 books over and over again. I also discovered The Babysitters Club and The Sweet Vally High books. In high school, I developed an appreciation of the classics.
During college I was introduced to the African-American writers that didn't fit into the high school curriculum. In addition to Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, I was introduced to and gained an appreciation and love for the works of African-American women writers. Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Dorothy West, Tananarive Due, Tayari Jones and countless others have become staples in my life. I read and reread their works all the time.
“Memoirs of a Bodacious Black Bibliophile” is my homage to
and celebration of the female novelists, poets, playwrights, essayists,
theorists, and lyricists of color who live and breathe the written word. To
these bold, brazen, and bodacious literary transgressors, I salute you. To
everyone reading, thank you for joining me on this journey.
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