We have overcome! Then again, there is more work to be done. What will it take for 30% of the books to be by black writers? 40%? 50% There is systemic racism afoot in the land. I for one will not rest easy until we have achieved equity in the New York Times' ranking of the top books of the 21st century! We all must do the work. Try harder.
On a serious note, I enjoyed this insightful essay. These profiled black writers are not from Middle America. I know these places from which these writers come -- Cambridge, New Haven, Howard, etc. How many of these writers write against dogma in race? How many of these writers deploy slogan words to understand the world? As a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, it is disappointing to see that only one listed black writer graduated from a public university. Where is the viewpoint diversity? These listed black writers are from the pinnacle of higher education more so than listed white writers. Are we ok with honoring the Black Elite as a nod to diversity? Don't get me wrong. Some of my best friends and family members know well Palo Alto, Cambridge, New Haven, Providence and Philadelphia. They are also traveling in the same insular social circles -- Sag Harbor, Martha's Vineyard, Jack and Jill, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi, Alpha, , etc.
If everyone thinks the same and has the same insular social experience, have we achieved notable diversity in literature? Something to think about.
I’m curious as to what books by black authors you’d recommend instead. Any suggestions? I used to read a lot of world literature but have fallen behind.
Love this discussion. It seems to me there are at least three different levels to consider for discursive diversity
1. Demographics (yes they do influence and correlate with our perspectives)
2. Actual perspective and substance (the focus of this discussion)
3. Framing of humility or hubris: "I have a perspective to contribute" vs "I have The Answer(s) and anyone with a differing viewpoint is wrong"
IMO #3 is an often-neglected point of breakdown and even a non-starter, regardless of perspective or demographics...how can we come to value and recognize diverse expressions of humility as a society?
According to the Washington Post only .21 percent of the American population has an Ivy League degree. Blacks constitute about 9% of the Ivy League students so that puts their percentage of the black population at about .02% not 1%.
Sounds like the premise of American Fiction, the film with Jeffery Wright. The established Ivory Tower of the elite publishing company executives only promote 'authentic' black voices by forcing authors who want to get published to write the most cringeworthy, stereotypical garbage in order to sell books to the same guilty, ivy league educated literary elite they themselves represent.
Important discussion but draws far too many conclusions from going only skin deep..
1. Author criticizes demographics
2. Author focuses on demographics over the actual discursive dynamics occurring
3. "Critics of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have argued that the hidden agenda is to include people who look different but think alike." I would say that is a hidden agenda of an unfortunate swath of society across the political spectrum that want homogeneity. DEI can be weaponized to that end, as can so many other initiatives, institutions and de facto processes.
4. "The 2021 survey identified only two private institutions where fewer than 20% of the students expressed discomfort discussing affirmative action: Hillsdale College and Howard University. The former is a bastion of conservative thought that rejects federal funding. The latter is a historically black university with a minuscule white student population."
Without digging into the nature (structure and substance) of the discourse occurring around DEI/affirmative action, etc, it is entirely possible that #4 serves as a parsimonious example of #3. IE, the very reason why so many people at some institutions report having difficulties discussing those topics is that they are a. politically divisive and b. students may not be getting the support and facilitation to have ethical, effective discussions where disagreements are deep and heated. MSU students may report fewer problems simply because there is less disagreement or diversity of opinions.
Ultimately, as a democracy, we need to support one another in navigating, sharing and synthesizing heterdox opinions. I fear the demographics-deep focus of this article doesn't get to the nature and structure of the discussions that are occurring. There are just too many snowflakes out there that want everyone to see things their way and report experiencing distress when people disagree with them.
Case in point: a while ago there was a project to get gun control and gun rights advocates together to discuss issues and come to a consensus understanding. They achieved that goal, beautifully. But then BOTH SIDES then accused the participants of being traitors to their cause and disowned them as having "switched sides." That tribalistic sentiment is running rampant right now and preventing us from coming up with real, practical solutions to the pressing problems of our time. There is a similar dynamic occurring with Palestinians and Israelis. The only effective interventions so far have been raising children together in relationship so that they can see one-another as complex, empathize across differences and acknowledge fundamental commonalities of experience and struggle.
Hillsdale College in southwestern Michigan is the ONLY true conservative-leaning college in America. Period.
So if someone were to label it as a “bastion of conservative thought” then might not the opposite be true?
Every other single solitary college in America is a “bastion of leftist thought”?
Also, Hillsdale does “reject federal funding” and that is a BONUS…not having to be beholden to the federal government…is a wonderful thing! And guess what, their privately-funded endowments allow for scholarship monies completely free from federal government strings.
Also, Hillsdale was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion, or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery. It was also the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.
And, because of Hillsdale College’s anti-slavery reputation and its role in founding the new Republican party (Professor Edmund Fairfield was a leader at the first convention), many notable speakers visited its campus during the Civil War era, including Frederick Douglass and Edward Everett, who preceded Lincoln at Gettysburg.
unfortunately, it like the Republican party, has deteriorated into a bastion of Christian nationalism with a deeply internalized persecution complex more focused on a reactionary Christian culture war than the founding principles of the Party of Lincoln. Many so-called "conservatives" in the US are really radical reactionaries and (like many democrats) corporatists who will throw the people under the bus for the sake of powerful lobbyists. The surveys Hillsdale has been sending out are just filled with ridiculous questions. Not scientific in any way, very clearly trying to gain evidence of or influence survey takers toward pre-formed opinions of Christian persecution.
Christianity does have its struggles, but its more of the kind of the Mark Robinson belligerent hypocrite than any infringement upon freedom of expression or religion.
The term “Christian nationalism” has a negative connotation in the mainstream world today. But I much prefer that over the Satan-worshipping globalists that litter the Earth today.
Not to mention that America was founded upon Judeo-Christian values and the words “In God We Trust” are found in reference to America not just in historical documents but numerous other places as well.
I do not like the powerful lobbyists anymore than you do as it seems that We the People have been replaced in our government by these parasitic lobbyists. And I can do without the Hillsdale “surveys” that hit my email Inbox a few times every day! (Really, I think the purpose of these emails is to fund-raise so I don’t blame them for trying since Hillsdale’s existence is dependent upon donors.)
And I will say that Christianity has always been attacked throughout history but the more recent attacks stem from those who would rather us all worship the powerful elite, the government, the latest cultural fad, or Satan himself. No thanks.
I will reference Jack Phillips, the Christian Colorado cake maker who’s defense of his Christian beliefs took him all the way to the Supreme Court, with his thankful victory in June 2018. A clear case of infringement upon his freedom of expression and religion.
And the persecution of peaceful Christian protestors outside abortion centers by the potentially unConstitutional FACE Act. Paul Vaughn, a Christian pro-life father of 11, whose family was subjected to a traumatizing pre-dawn raid by the federal Dept of (in)Justice in October 2022 and was subsequently tried in a court of law (his case is still being appealed) over his non-violent protest…is just one such example.
I have no words on Mark Robinson, other than because he is a black Republican…the haters will hate him no matter what…and I take any “news” about him with a grain of salt because the bias is overwhelming.
The only “Judeo-Christian” value that the political system of the United States contained at its formation is slavery; and fortunately that was eliminated. People who think that the constitution of the United States was at all derived from biblical values clearly have not bothered to read the Tanakh or the New Testament.
I have been a long-time admirer of Hillsdale College and agree with your sentiments; however, Grove City College & Liberty University quickly come to mind as other conservative institutions.
Yes, both Grove City College and Liberty University are also noteworthy conservative institutions. However, Hillsdale College has been termed a “conservative Harvard” as it is very selective in its admittance…with a 21% acceptance rate and selective test scores/GPA levels. Liberty College has a 99% acceptance rate and is deemed one of the most easiest colleges to get into within America. Grove City College has a 71% acceptance rate, so it is slightly more picky when it comes down to who they will admit.
I would claim that due to Hillsdale’s status as a smart-kid conservative school…it is prone to much hate from within the mainstream world for their views and actively conservative well-known published professors. Most other smart-kid colleges in America are insulated from this type of hate, since they are “bastions” of the approved propaganda of leftist thought.
"Christian nationalism has a negative connotation"
And rightfully so. It is one of the bastions of the race to the bottom of the brainstem that leads with paranoid persecution complex deflecting from hegemonic values and finishes with fear and hatred antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. If a Christian nationalist wants to see the work of Satan they can only look in the mirror.
While I am not am evangelical Christian I have done tons of work with community oriented Evangelicals who put in the work and lead with love. That is the medium of synthesis for doing great works with humility in the spirit of service. We have respectful disagreements on policy and have accomplished a lot together in community development. Christianity is doing just fine and will thrive long after Christian Nationalism dies a well-deserved death. Freedom of religion requires freedom from religion, otherwise society disintegrates into religious imperialism as the vanguard of spiritual alienation. Secular society is in the best interests of all people of faith and spirit. Christian Nationalism is equivalent to the Islamofascist movement for Sharia law, whereas a secular state protects and values everyone's faith and spirituality equally. But some people it seems have a problem with diversity and would prefer impoverishment of spirituality and consciousness to the noble challenge of learning how to live together in harmony or at least mutual respect.
The rest of your response reads like Exhibit B for hateful paranoia fundamentally opposed to the values of love, diversity, respect and interfaith collaboration toward a more peaceful society. Government should never, ever be weaponized to control people's spirits, minds and bodies, but represent a collective effort to maintain freedom and sovereignty for all. "Your right to swing your arms ends where my nose begins." Christian Nationalism, much like Islamofascism, views the above boundary maxim as an existential threat, which outs it as a movement of religious imperialism rather than spiritual enlightenment that does as much or more to threaten the integrity of Christianity than anything. If you want to see how that plays out, watch videos of Russian orthodox patriarch dutifully blessing bombs and even nukes intended to terrorize Ukrainian civilians. Satanic, indeed. They even named their missile after the deceiver while claiming openly to be God's chosen people. I do not believe the world cannot afford such stupidity and evil, yet Russian disinformation has for decades sunk its hooks deep into US sociopolitical with the successful goal of fanning the flames of fear, hatred, acrimony to metastisize the stupidity and evil in tje race to the bottom of the brainstem at the root of imperialist dysfunction and spiritual alienation.
Although I'm broadly sympathetic with the point you raise, it is interesting that you do not provide any readings of the novels you list, apparently assuming that, since these authors went to Ivy League schools, they must all think the same way. The implication is that works by Colson Whitehead have identical politics to novels by Percival Everett, which have identical politics to poems by Claudia Rankine, by simple merit of the fact that they all attended prestigious private universities. But what evidence backs such a claim? Did you read any of the work of these authors?
Yes, people should read works written by working-class or state-school writers. But people who went to Ivy Leagues can still disagree with one another. If you want to suggest that contemporary black authors are ideologically uniform, perhaps you should provide evidence, from the works themselves, to back up that assertion.
As a side note, for anyone interested in works by black American authors that defy easy political categorization, try reading older books, like George Schuyler's Black No More, Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Fanatics, Claude McKay's Banjo, etc. Like any other literary tradition, African American literature is the staging ground for profound political, moral, and aesthetic disagreement. It is by no means a literary tradition marked by ideological or aesthetic conformity.
We have overcome! Then again, there is more work to be done. What will it take for 30% of the books to be by black writers? 40%? 50% There is systemic racism afoot in the land. I for one will not rest easy until we have achieved equity in the New York Times' ranking of the top books of the 21st century! We all must do the work. Try harder.
On a serious note, I enjoyed this insightful essay. These profiled black writers are not from Middle America. I know these places from which these writers come -- Cambridge, New Haven, Howard, etc. How many of these writers write against dogma in race? How many of these writers deploy slogan words to understand the world? As a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, it is disappointing to see that only one listed black writer graduated from a public university. Where is the viewpoint diversity? These listed black writers are from the pinnacle of higher education more so than listed white writers. Are we ok with honoring the Black Elite as a nod to diversity? Don't get me wrong. Some of my best friends and family members know well Palo Alto, Cambridge, New Haven, Providence and Philadelphia. They are also traveling in the same insular social circles -- Sag Harbor, Martha's Vineyard, Jack and Jill, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi, Alpha, , etc.
If everyone thinks the same and has the same insular social experience, have we achieved notable diversity in literature? Something to think about.
I like your questions
The NYT still being “the most influential tastemaker” won’t last much longer on their current trajectory.
I’m curious as to what books by black authors you’d recommend instead. Any suggestions? I used to read a lot of world literature but have fallen behind.
I hear there is a great book out titled Letters in Black and White:: A New Correspondence on Race in America (IMay 23, 2023). Check it out. I know the author/smile (tongue in cheek) -- W. F. Twyman, Jr. https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Black-White-Correspondence-America/dp/1634312368 On second thought, the writer has retired from Blackness so there's that....Best https://twyman.substack.com/p/the-burbank-happening-and-other-signs
“Diversity”…you nailed it…different skin color and gender but little to no diversity of thought. Fraud.
Should substack readers and writers get together and make our own list? One that represents a variety of viewpoints? Surely we can do better!
Great idea!
Love this discussion. It seems to me there are at least three different levels to consider for discursive diversity
1. Demographics (yes they do influence and correlate with our perspectives)
2. Actual perspective and substance (the focus of this discussion)
3. Framing of humility or hubris: "I have a perspective to contribute" vs "I have The Answer(s) and anyone with a differing viewpoint is wrong"
IMO #3 is an often-neglected point of breakdown and even a non-starter, regardless of perspective or demographics...how can we come to value and recognize diverse expressions of humility as a society?
According to the Washington Post only .21 percent of the American population has an Ivy League degree. Blacks constitute about 9% of the Ivy League students so that puts their percentage of the black population at about .02% not 1%.
Yeah, thought the 1% stat seemed off my orders of magnitude.
Sounds like the premise of American Fiction, the film with Jeffery Wright. The established Ivory Tower of the elite publishing company executives only promote 'authentic' black voices by forcing authors who want to get published to write the most cringeworthy, stereotypical garbage in order to sell books to the same guilty, ivy league educated literary elite they themselves represent.
How did you like that movie? I haven't seen it yet but saw some interviews with people involved that piqued my interest.
Important discussion but draws far too many conclusions from going only skin deep..
1. Author criticizes demographics
2. Author focuses on demographics over the actual discursive dynamics occurring
3. "Critics of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have argued that the hidden agenda is to include people who look different but think alike." I would say that is a hidden agenda of an unfortunate swath of society across the political spectrum that want homogeneity. DEI can be weaponized to that end, as can so many other initiatives, institutions and de facto processes.
4. "The 2021 survey identified only two private institutions where fewer than 20% of the students expressed discomfort discussing affirmative action: Hillsdale College and Howard University. The former is a bastion of conservative thought that rejects federal funding. The latter is a historically black university with a minuscule white student population."
Without digging into the nature (structure and substance) of the discourse occurring around DEI/affirmative action, etc, it is entirely possible that #4 serves as a parsimonious example of #3. IE, the very reason why so many people at some institutions report having difficulties discussing those topics is that they are a. politically divisive and b. students may not be getting the support and facilitation to have ethical, effective discussions where disagreements are deep and heated. MSU students may report fewer problems simply because there is less disagreement or diversity of opinions.
Ultimately, as a democracy, we need to support one another in navigating, sharing and synthesizing heterdox opinions. I fear the demographics-deep focus of this article doesn't get to the nature and structure of the discussions that are occurring. There are just too many snowflakes out there that want everyone to see things their way and report experiencing distress when people disagree with them.
Case in point: a while ago there was a project to get gun control and gun rights advocates together to discuss issues and come to a consensus understanding. They achieved that goal, beautifully. But then BOTH SIDES then accused the participants of being traitors to their cause and disowned them as having "switched sides." That tribalistic sentiment is running rampant right now and preventing us from coming up with real, practical solutions to the pressing problems of our time. There is a similar dynamic occurring with Palestinians and Israelis. The only effective interventions so far have been raising children together in relationship so that they can see one-another as complex, empathize across differences and acknowledge fundamental commonalities of experience and struggle.
https://www.pbs.org/video/america-at-a-crossroads-1711575011/
Finally found it, the "Tennessee 11"
Both gun control and gun rights advocates felt betrayed by the people who participated.
Hillsdale College in southwestern Michigan is the ONLY true conservative-leaning college in America. Period.
So if someone were to label it as a “bastion of conservative thought” then might not the opposite be true?
Every other single solitary college in America is a “bastion of leftist thought”?
Also, Hillsdale does “reject federal funding” and that is a BONUS…not having to be beholden to the federal government…is a wonderful thing! And guess what, their privately-funded endowments allow for scholarship monies completely free from federal government strings.
Also, Hillsdale was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion, or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery. It was also the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.
And, because of Hillsdale College’s anti-slavery reputation and its role in founding the new Republican party (Professor Edmund Fairfield was a leader at the first convention), many notable speakers visited its campus during the Civil War era, including Frederick Douglass and Edward Everett, who preceded Lincoln at Gettysburg.
(Hillsdale.edu for reference here)
Sometimes, there is more to a story than what is printed…
unfortunately, it like the Republican party, has deteriorated into a bastion of Christian nationalism with a deeply internalized persecution complex more focused on a reactionary Christian culture war than the founding principles of the Party of Lincoln. Many so-called "conservatives" in the US are really radical reactionaries and (like many democrats) corporatists who will throw the people under the bus for the sake of powerful lobbyists. The surveys Hillsdale has been sending out are just filled with ridiculous questions. Not scientific in any way, very clearly trying to gain evidence of or influence survey takers toward pre-formed opinions of Christian persecution.
Christianity does have its struggles, but its more of the kind of the Mark Robinson belligerent hypocrite than any infringement upon freedom of expression or religion.
The term “Christian nationalism” has a negative connotation in the mainstream world today. But I much prefer that over the Satan-worshipping globalists that litter the Earth today.
Not to mention that America was founded upon Judeo-Christian values and the words “In God We Trust” are found in reference to America not just in historical documents but numerous other places as well.
I do not like the powerful lobbyists anymore than you do as it seems that We the People have been replaced in our government by these parasitic lobbyists. And I can do without the Hillsdale “surveys” that hit my email Inbox a few times every day! (Really, I think the purpose of these emails is to fund-raise so I don’t blame them for trying since Hillsdale’s existence is dependent upon donors.)
And I will say that Christianity has always been attacked throughout history but the more recent attacks stem from those who would rather us all worship the powerful elite, the government, the latest cultural fad, or Satan himself. No thanks.
I will reference Jack Phillips, the Christian Colorado cake maker who’s defense of his Christian beliefs took him all the way to the Supreme Court, with his thankful victory in June 2018. A clear case of infringement upon his freedom of expression and religion.
And the persecution of peaceful Christian protestors outside abortion centers by the potentially unConstitutional FACE Act. Paul Vaughn, a Christian pro-life father of 11, whose family was subjected to a traumatizing pre-dawn raid by the federal Dept of (in)Justice in October 2022 and was subsequently tried in a court of law (his case is still being appealed) over his non-violent protest…is just one such example.
I have no words on Mark Robinson, other than because he is a black Republican…the haters will hate him no matter what…and I take any “news” about him with a grain of salt because the bias is overwhelming.
The only “Judeo-Christian” value that the political system of the United States contained at its formation is slavery; and fortunately that was eliminated. People who think that the constitution of the United States was at all derived from biblical values clearly have not bothered to read the Tanakh or the New Testament.
I have been a long-time admirer of Hillsdale College and agree with your sentiments; however, Grove City College & Liberty University quickly come to mind as other conservative institutions.
Yes, both Grove City College and Liberty University are also noteworthy conservative institutions. However, Hillsdale College has been termed a “conservative Harvard” as it is very selective in its admittance…with a 21% acceptance rate and selective test scores/GPA levels. Liberty College has a 99% acceptance rate and is deemed one of the most easiest colleges to get into within America. Grove City College has a 71% acceptance rate, so it is slightly more picky when it comes down to who they will admit.
I would claim that due to Hillsdale’s status as a smart-kid conservative school…it is prone to much hate from within the mainstream world for their views and actively conservative well-known published professors. Most other smart-kid colleges in America are insulated from this type of hate, since they are “bastions” of the approved propaganda of leftist thought.
You critique the limitations of someone like Whitehead's perspective, and then acknowledge you've *never* read him.
Weird overall critique, to be honest.
"Christian nationalism has a negative connotation"
And rightfully so. It is one of the bastions of the race to the bottom of the brainstem that leads with paranoid persecution complex deflecting from hegemonic values and finishes with fear and hatred antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. If a Christian nationalist wants to see the work of Satan they can only look in the mirror.
While I am not am evangelical Christian I have done tons of work with community oriented Evangelicals who put in the work and lead with love. That is the medium of synthesis for doing great works with humility in the spirit of service. We have respectful disagreements on policy and have accomplished a lot together in community development. Christianity is doing just fine and will thrive long after Christian Nationalism dies a well-deserved death. Freedom of religion requires freedom from religion, otherwise society disintegrates into religious imperialism as the vanguard of spiritual alienation. Secular society is in the best interests of all people of faith and spirit. Christian Nationalism is equivalent to the Islamofascist movement for Sharia law, whereas a secular state protects and values everyone's faith and spirituality equally. But some people it seems have a problem with diversity and would prefer impoverishment of spirituality and consciousness to the noble challenge of learning how to live together in harmony or at least mutual respect.
The rest of your response reads like Exhibit B for hateful paranoia fundamentally opposed to the values of love, diversity, respect and interfaith collaboration toward a more peaceful society. Government should never, ever be weaponized to control people's spirits, minds and bodies, but represent a collective effort to maintain freedom and sovereignty for all. "Your right to swing your arms ends where my nose begins." Christian Nationalism, much like Islamofascism, views the above boundary maxim as an existential threat, which outs it as a movement of religious imperialism rather than spiritual enlightenment that does as much or more to threaten the integrity of Christianity than anything. If you want to see how that plays out, watch videos of Russian orthodox patriarch dutifully blessing bombs and even nukes intended to terrorize Ukrainian civilians. Satanic, indeed. They even named their missile after the deceiver while claiming openly to be God's chosen people. I do not believe the world cannot afford such stupidity and evil, yet Russian disinformation has for decades sunk its hooks deep into US sociopolitical with the successful goal of fanning the flames of fear, hatred, acrimony to metastisize the stupidity and evil in tje race to the bottom of the brainstem at the root of imperialist dysfunction and spiritual alienation.
Although I'm broadly sympathetic with the point you raise, it is interesting that you do not provide any readings of the novels you list, apparently assuming that, since these authors went to Ivy League schools, they must all think the same way. The implication is that works by Colson Whitehead have identical politics to novels by Percival Everett, which have identical politics to poems by Claudia Rankine, by simple merit of the fact that they all attended prestigious private universities. But what evidence backs such a claim? Did you read any of the work of these authors?
Yes, people should read works written by working-class or state-school writers. But people who went to Ivy Leagues can still disagree with one another. If you want to suggest that contemporary black authors are ideologically uniform, perhaps you should provide evidence, from the works themselves, to back up that assertion.
As a side note, for anyone interested in works by black American authors that defy easy political categorization, try reading older books, like George Schuyler's Black No More, Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Fanatics, Claude McKay's Banjo, etc. Like any other literary tradition, African American literature is the staging ground for profound political, moral, and aesthetic disagreement. It is by no means a literary tradition marked by ideological or aesthetic conformity.