Thanks, Marvin. I did not know that Reed had a new book. I am very much for the early 1970-ish Ishmael Reed. The 21st century Ishmael Reed I do not find all that attractive: he's too close to the liberal mainstream. That seems to be the audience he directs his criticisms. He is their conscience. That's fine and good as far as it goes. But it does not go far enough to satisfy me.
Reed's politics are a bit strange in how he reads history. For me the 1880s seem much closer to the present politics. The 1850s slaves and freedman had little hope of change. Yes, there was the rise and prevalence of minstrelsy. Nationalism was rather nascent, which suits Reed's own political prejudices.
The 1860s and 1870s however promised hope and nationalism was on the rise with black men in uniform, like the 1960s and 1970s. There was a delivery of the goods of a postracial society in both instances but the country could not sustain the Southern reaction. Issues like states rights to suppress freed negroes, voter suppression, criminalizing young blacks, reactionary laws of every sort to suspend free speech, free access, and free movement, and economic mobility--all characterize post-Reconstruction and the present "new jim crow" (as Michele Alexander characterizes the Now).
This later period into mid-20th century took minstrelsy into film and other communications like radio and TV. We grew up with it. What is happening now is more characteristic of what has been happening for more than a century. There was somewhat of a respite for a decade or so but it has been more and more of the same shit in subtler forms and images.
Maybe the Triple A's are right about the threat to our existence. But I do not think that young people will allow that to happen unless it is the entire nation jeopardized in its existence. Our foreign policies and militarism are indeed a present danger and threat to the nation.
In short, Reed may be a much better fictional writer and poet than an essayist. As a non-fiction writer and a poet I find you Reed's equal or his superior. In any case, the politics of your non-fiction is of greater interest to me than that of Ishmael Reed.
Loving you madly, Rudy
Rudolph Lewis, Editor
ChickenBones: A Journal
www.nathanielturner.com
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:35:01 -0700
From: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: ad - Going Too Far by Ishmael Reed
To: rudolphlewis@hotmail.com
You think he's a madman too? Or is it Oakland? I still think he made a most profound statement in his review as per if not for black nationalism we would be extinct. I will send you the link of a blog radio talk tonight with Dr. Khalid Abdullah Tariq Al Mansour, aka Donald Warden of the African American Association, who said we shall indeed become extinct at the present rate of things. Although I think this has been his long felt view.
FYI, it was his organization, the AAA, from which sprang black consciousness in the Bay and especially at Merritt College, e.g., Black Panthes, Black Studies and the Bay Area Black Arts Movement. Dr. Khalid has been a lawyer for OPEC and the Saudi royal family.
--- On Thu, 9/20/12, rudolph lewis wrote:
From: rudolph lewis
Subject: RE: ad - Going Too Far by Ishmael Reed
To: "Marvin X"
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 6:28 AM
Marvin, I got it. It seems Reed is trying to kepp up with your book production.
Loving you madly, Rudy
Rudolph Lewis, Editor
ChickenBones: A Journal
www.nathanielturner.com
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:53:18 -0700
From: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Subject: Fw: ad - Going Too Far by Ishmael Reed
To: rudolphlewis@hotmail.com
Rudy, let me know if this works. peace and love, Marvin
--- On Wed, 9/19/12, Robin Philpot wrote:
From: Robin Philpot
Subject: ad - Going Too Far by Ishmael Reed
To: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Cc: "Ishmael Reed"
Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 8:44 PM
Hello,
As requested, please find attached the ad for Ishmael Reed's latest book of essays.
Best regards,
Robin Philpot
Baraka Books
133, rue de la Commune Ouest
Bureau 200
Montréal, Québec
H2Y 2C7
514-858-6333, poste 226.
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