“People evolve a language in order to describe and thus control their circumstances, or in order not to be submerged by a reality that they cannot articulate…It goes without saying, then, that language is also a political instrument, means, and proof of power. It is the most vivid and crucial key to identify: It reveals the private identity, and connects one with, or divorces one from, the larger, public, or communal identity. There have been, and are, times, and places, when to speak a certain language could be dangerous, even fatal…”
–James Baldwin, from If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?
Sharhara Godfrey, Acquisition Editor and 10-year staff member.
On June 5th in San Francisco, Aunt Lute Press, a multi-cultural women’s press publishing since 1982, hosted a free community reading and discussion featuring authors Jewelle Gomez and Cherry Muhanji.