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(Black male empowerment via fiction)
When Butterflies Kiss (Second Edition)
Edited by SékouWrites (SWH Press)
A unique literary creation, When Butterflies Kiss is the collaborative effort of 10 writers who penned their chapters separately, without discussion, letting the storyline unfold naturally.The novel introduces readers to Dante, a young African-American writer who engages in meaningless sexual relationships to avoid emotional intimacy. The writers guide us through his journey of learning how to love without losing himself in the process—a universal story that both men and women can empathize with. Witty, engaging, and authentic, When Butterflies Kiss embraces the importance of exploring male empowerment, the need for self-respect, and the significance of black men learning how to love.
From Chapter 9: Over the next few days, he dialed the number of almost every woman he knew who was still speaking to him, hoping to chase away the emptiness with sweet conversation, a warm body if he could arrange it. He managed a rendezvous or two, but sex just seemed to feed the emptiness, causing it to spread like some ravenous parasite that threatened to devour him from the inside out unless he could figure out how to stop it. ... As a last resort, he turned to poetry, wanting to curl up in words, hoping that they would bring him the clarity and understanding he sought. Order: whenbutterflieskiss.com Launch party: blogs.UPTOWNlife.net
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(Post-Hurricane Katrina support)
Stories of Survival (and Beyond): Collective Healing After Hurricane Katrina
By the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies (IWES Press)
Following the devastating events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the founders of the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies (IWES), a New Orleans–based nonprofit, decided to create a community forum for survivors to vent and grieve. The project was so successful that it also spawned a book, a riveting nonfiction work that features the candid accounts of 13 Katrina survivors. Here, Dr. Denese O. Shervington, one of the founders of IWES, discusses life after Katrina.
Q. Which story stands out in your memory?
A. All the stories are permanently etched in my memory. Each one captures a unique slice of New Orleans life and culture. The last story brings me great hope, as the writer took an exis-tentialist approach to his suffering despite dealing not only with the floodwaters, but also the ravaging effect of having his house burned to its foundation.
Q. What do you think about the restoration efforts?
A. Little progress has been made toward human recovery, especially for the socioeconomically disadvantaged. Only lip service is being paid to the restoration of systems that are key to the restoration of a civil society, like public health and education.
Q. How do you think the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina will affect the African-American community?
A. Katrina has the incredible potential of waking us all up and helping us redefine a sense of collective purpose. Katrina showed us that, as black people, our government is not speedy in its response to save us, so maybe now we will realize that only we can save ourselves.
Q. What effect do you want this book to have?
A. I hope the nation will experience the humanity of those who are forced to struggle with the aftereffects of Katrina on a daily basis, and be moved to advocate for justice in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Order: Lulu.com
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