Saturday, July 11, 2009

Birthday Shout Out!: Beah Richards

Beah Richards
July 12, 1920-September 14, 2000
Vicksburg, Mississippi
actor, playwright, poet, activist

There are a lot of movies out there that I would hate to be paid to do, some real demeaning, real woman-denigrating stuff. It is up to women to change their roles. They are going to have to write the stuff and do it. And they will.

Film Career
Bio
A Black Woman Speaks

Friday, July 10, 2009

CORA Diversity Roll Call: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Bi-weekly Ali at Worducopia and I, co-host a meme designed to encourage readers to broaden their reading habits. We want to add color and diversity in other ways to your reading choices. This week, I want to explore science fiction and fantasy, two genres where people of color are often absent or sidekicks, but rarely the main character.

Your assignment: spotlight science fiction and fantasy titles where people of color are the leads, works by people of color in these genres or discuss your thoughts about race in these genres. Do you notice the absence of color? In what ways is race portrayed in fantasy and science fiction beyond using traditional racial terms like black and white? If the book covers prominently features people of color, does it affect your perception? Are we more comfortable with imaginary characters versus different race in these works?

Let's strive to give our gut reactions. Being politically correct is polite but how much does that further a substantive discussion? Thanks for participating. Leave us a link to your post with Mr. Linky.