{"id":129,"date":"2007-06-10T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2007-06-10T17:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kuma2.net\/skyeview\/?p=129"},"modified":"2007-06-10T14:48:52","modified_gmt":"2007-06-10T18:48:52","slug":"skyeview-aunt-lute-press-presents-jewel-gomez-and-cherry-muhanji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.kuma2.net\/skyeview\/?p=129","title":{"rendered":"Aunt Lute Press Presents Jewelle Gomez and Cherry Muhanji"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cPeople 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\u2026It 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…\u201d
\n–James Baldwin, from If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\nSharhara Godfrey, Acquisition Editor and 10-year staff member.<\/p>\n

On June 5th in San Francisco, Aunt Lute Press<\/a>, a multi-cultural women\u2019s press publishing since 1982, hosted a free community reading and discussion featuring authors Jewelle Gomez<\/a> and Cherry Muhanji<\/a>.
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I was glad I made the trek from the East Bay to SF at the end of a long work-day. The ambiance was infused with broad smiles and mirth as sister writers reunited with one another and made new connections. Throughout the evening, I sensed mutual admiration and words of support wafting through the air as seasoned and aspiring writers engaged in lively conversations. I was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to speak at length with Dossie Easton, the co-author of Radical Ecstasy (Greenery Press). It’s\u00a0a must read for kinkster-spiritualists. The gathering was in a supportive and I dare say it was a loving environment; the perfect setting for\u00a0a reading and discussion with Jewelle and Cherry.<\/p>\n

Jewelle Gomez is the consummate storyteller whether the stories are from her published work, rich oral herstory or recounting her experiences as a long-time activist. Upon my arrival, I quickly sat down at Jewelle\u2019s feet so as to catch every syllable and word, as she was already mid-way through a passage from her manuscript. It had been a while since I heard Jewelle read fiction or poetry and I didn\u2019t want to miss out on the thrill of a\u00a0reading.
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\nThere is an unmistakable excitement and palatable anticipation when one has the opportunity to hear a writer read her unpublished\u00a0work publicly for the first time.\u00a0This was the case when\u00a0Jewelle read from Televised<\/a>. At the reading, I detected a collective quickening\u00a0amongst the audience as Jewelle unwrapped her story like a fine piece of chocolate truffle, enticing us with tasty morsels of dialogue from the manuscript.<\/p>\n

The following day Jewelle commented on her experience at the event:<\/p>\n

That was a fun evening for me especially because I love Cherry’s work so much and have been eagerly anticipating a new book from her.<\/p>\n

It was also monumental for me because it’s the first time I’ve read from the new novel. I don’t have a publisher yet but have my fingers crossed since I’ve been editing it for the past couple of years.<\/p>\n

It is entitled Televised and the story is about former Black student activists from the 1960s attending their 30th anniversary reunion. The two main characters Roxie and her former best friend Sheila, who’s since come out as a lesbian, have to find a way to reconnect and the group of former radicals has to find a way to reconnect to activism.<\/p>\n

I don’t know if you heard me describe my reasons for having the primary character not be a lesbian—essentially in writing a story that might be critical of Black Nationalist ideology or practice I didn’t want that to come from a lesbian character because it could so easily be dismissed by non-lesbian readers. And I wanted to be true to the experience of that period—most of us were not out working in the movement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can read more of her observations on Cherry’s work and their involvement in the world of lesbian literature at Jewelle’s blog<\/a>.
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Aunt Lute just released the second edition of Cherry Muhanji\u2019s novel \u201cHer\u201d, but Cherry didn\u2019t spend much time talking about the reissue\u2014she came to talk about the blues.<\/p>\n

As I reflect on Cherry\u2019s introduction of her research on pioneering Black blues women and the setting of her forthcoming book which takes place in a brothel, James Baldwin\u2019s words resonate in me:\u00a0\u201cThere have been, and are times, and places, when to speak a certain language could be dangerous, even fatal.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Cherry began her talk by commenting on the physical danger and economic risk independent, daring Black women took in the pursuit of their livelihood and sexual autonomy. The fatality that comes to my mind are the little deaths that occur over time and deep in my consciousness when I discover the type of stories that Cherry is uncovering. Outmoded ideas and distorted notions of Black womanhood–specifically the lives of Afriles–are\u00a0assassinated by the telling of these new stories.<\/p>\n

Cherry told the audience that she is interested in the Black blues women of the 1920\u2019s-30\u2019s particularly jazz instrumentalists. She is writing about the women who worked in the brothels providing entertainment for the workers and the clientele. She suspects that more than a few of these women became proficient musicians and contributors in the evolution of the blues.<\/p>\n

She also pointed out that it wasn\u2019t until the creation of Alice \"2002_chicago_005.jpg\"<\/a>Walker\u2019s character Shug Avery in the Color Purple did a depiction of a strong powerful Black female blues singer emerge in contemporary popular culture. An extension of that observation for me is Queen Latifah\u2019s character Matron Mama Thornton in the film Chicago.<\/p>\n

A highlight of the evening was listening to and watching performance footage of Bessie Smith and Alberta Hunter. The Alberta Hunter footage was spot on in demonstrating how early Black blues women used metaphor and innuendo to great affect. Alberta Hunter sure could sang and was truly an inspiration on the music scene well into her 80\u2019s.<\/p>\n

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Dey say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice.
\nYeah, the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice,
\nthat\u2019s why I got a long black one for my personal use!
\n[Alberta Hunter]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When I listen to and read the words of writers like Jewelle Gomez and Cherry Muhanji, new configurations of language emerge on my tongue stretching my imagination. Thought forms and ideas that no longer serve me or tell our collective truth die a quiet death.<\/p>\n

The gathering of Aunt Lute\u2019s writers felt more like a circle of conjuring women stirring our pots. By the evening\u2019s end, I heard a few attendees say they were going immediately home to write because they had been inspired by Cherry and Jewelle\u2019s contribution in creating such a fruitful and worthwhile evening. I absolutely love when that kind of alchemy happens at a cultural event.<\/p>\n

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Got about a million tingles
\nSneakin’ on up my spine.
\nI wash her body and it feel like i’m prayin.
\nTry not to look, but my eyes ain’t obeyin’.
\nGuess i found out what all of the fuss is about.
\n[Song: Dear God – Shug Lyrics]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Links<\/a> | Photo Album<\/a><\/p>\n


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