6D - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - September 3, 1996 Giving voice to the unheard Anthology speaks to, about gay blacks By Eugene Bowen Daily Arts Writer Shade. "It gives relief from the sun," begins Samuel R. Delaney's introduction in the recently published book of the same title. Yet it has an even deeper meaning for members ofthe gay black community. "Throwing shade" is very similar to straight blacks' use of the term "dis" (from the verb "disrespect"). Shade, how- ever, tends to be more subtle. Whereas a dis is meant to immediately cut its victim down with its bluntness, shade often requires a doubletake. As Delaney writes, "'He couldn't have said what I thought he said ...?' That, Shade I suppose, is the bench- mark response to the cast- Short-story, ing of shade." a't.y r Shade, in short, can be edited by ruc. looked upon as an "in the h es oend closet" dis. Throughout Charles Rowel the collection of 22 short $12 stories in the anthology Avon Books Shade" much of the shade thrown "comes out." So as you read into the various nuances, you realize quickly that they are saying exactly what you think they're saying - something you can perhaps hardly believe. "Shade" (Avon Books, $12) is a collection of fiction writings by gay men of African descent. Compiled and edited by Bruce Morrow, associate director of Teachers/Writers Collaborative, and Charles Rowell, professor of English at the Uni- versity of Virginia, both of whom are black and gay, "Shade" was put together for very important reasons. . "One of the things I was interested in showing is how pervasive and amazing the African dias- pora is,' explained Morrow. a 33-year old Cleve- land, Ohio, native. "There's black people over here, black people over there. And of course there must be black, gay people throughout. "On a whole, I wanted to express that black, gay men are part of the black community and part of the gay community, and that there is diversity in both of those. There is a rising political con- sciousness and awareness within the gay world of its diversity which hasn't been addressed a lot." Such awareness has also taken place outside of the gay, lesbian and bisexual communities. Ever since public attention was first directed toward AIDS in the late 1970s (then known as the very bigoted-named "gay cancer"), questions on the morality of homosexual marriage, homosexual ordinations, homosexual adoption and homosex- ual people have been near the forefront of the so- called "family-values" debate. Annual gay rights rallies in Washington, D.C., Colorado's anti-gay Amendment 2 and the Supreme Court's eventual declaration of its unconstitutionality, Hawaii's recent legalization of same-sex marriages and subsequent legislation in various states to not rec- ognize those marriages and various debates over the teaching of "alternative lifestyles" in schools Morrow does take the hatred, the evil, the have fueled a growing realization across this denunciations personally, as well he should. nation that like blacks, women, immigrants and Imagine if you will, living under the same restric- others before them, gays in this country are fed up tions as he: "Imagine not being able to touch or and fighting back. kiss your lover of seven years on the streets," "The question of gays in the military and same- Morrow said. "Imagine never holding hands with sex marriage is important for the same reason your lover while on a summer-night stroll. Imag- blacks in the military were really important in ine that. Imagine getting the shit beat out of you helping to shape the civil rights movement," Mor- for looking at someone the wrong way. Imagine row observed. "You need to have the government not being allowed to attend your lover's funeral say that gays are not people whom you can vio- because the family doesn't approve. I don't think late. Black gays and lesbians have been major heterosexuals really understand the concept of contributors to American culture, and this book having their relationships so greatly restricted by will show that there is variety within even these society. It's not happening to them." cultures." Relationships are stressful. The extra societal The short stories in "Shade" cover a wide range pressure placed upon gays makes having a suc- of topics of interest for people of all races and sex- cessful same-sex relationship nearly impossible. ual orientations. "Spice;"by A. Clinqu6 Hicks, tells So it should come as no surprise that few gay the story of a man whose mother knows of his relationships are long-lasting. What should be homosexuality, yet hopes he will keep it secret disturbing is that even without these pressures, from her friends. "Summertime, and the Living Is half of all heterosexual marriages are still des- Easy .,." by Reginald Shepherd, is the story of a tined for divorce. And attesting to the true love young black man in love with his white best friend. some gays have for one another is the fact that "Zazoo," by Larry Duplechan, is the reminiscings there are gays involved in very stable, happy and of a man's childhood and what he viewed as his strong monogamous relationships. Morrow first sexual experience. "Powers That Be," by L. knows; he's one of them. Phillip Richardson, tells of a "bad boy" with a "I've been in a relationship with Robert for longing to leave his dangerous lifestyle. In seven years," Morrow said, a shy smile creeping "Church," by G. Winston James, a black, gay man into his voice. "We're very similar but very dif- with AIDS returns home to die. "Your Mother ferent. I'm black; he's white. I'm analytical; he's from Cleveland," by Bill Wright, is the story of a visual. We both love jazz. We live together with drag queen's posthumous effect two cats, Dexter and Lambada the upon a more conservative, closet- Forbidden Cat." ed gay neighbor. ,, i He tells how they met. The story Morrow has been hit over the is reminiscent of such chance love head with a double whammy: -ieencounters as seen in "Jason's Being a member of two groups Sv Voice Lyric," "While You Were Sleeping" - gays and African Americans Ao What or "Forget Paris." - blamed for the depletion of "We met at the New York subway. "American morals." From the many mi ht Robert had a big can of film, and I stereotypical view of the black asked him about it. We started talk- welfare queen to the false belief not want to ing, and it turned out that we lived that gays give children distorted right across the street from one views of family, they are unwit- hear. et another. So we agreed to meet again. ting scapegoats for all that is But I would never ever, ever call up wrong with the world. seg d to , someone whom I was interested in," "I don't think the majority of he laughs. "So we didn't talk to each white Americans have accepted - Bruce MorroW other for a year. Since he lived blacks," Morrow said. "So I Co-editor of "Shade" across the street, I thought it was wouldn't wait for straight, white inevitable that we'd meet again any- Americans to accept me. I do way, but it took a year. We ran into think it's true that on a day-to-day each other in the music store, and he basis, on a very local, personal level, homosexu- had all these jazz albums in his arms. We talked ality is becoming more accepted. Still, it is the big again, and again we agreed to see each other. But battles with institutions we need to fight because of course I would never ever, ever visit him. I guess these institutions set up the rules and structure for he figured that out because the next day he came the rest of society." and visited me. So technically, we've been togeth- Morrow questions those who see homosexual- er for eight years if you count the year we didn't ity as a major contributor to a decline in morals in meet." the country. "What's a gang bang? Why are there Black gays, lesbians and bisexuals have made so many unwed mothers in America? I'm sure it's a strong, positive impact on American life. They not because of some gay man. Why are the major- deserve respect and recognition. They deserve to ity of the fathers of the babies of unwed, teenage be heard. Singers Bessie Smith, Freddie Jackson mothers grown men over the age of 20? There are and Josephine Baker; writers James Baldwin, a lot of one-night stands going on and it's not all Alice Walker, Langston Hughes and Lorraine homosexual." Hansberry; mathematician Benjamin Banneker; Bruce Morrow said "Shade," which he co-edited, shows diversity within the black community and gives a voice to gay blacks who have been ignored. former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; federal judge Deborah Batts; baseball player Glenn Burke; philosopher Alain Locke; pastors Patrick Maye and Renee McCoy; army veteran Perry Watkins ... in Morrow's eyes, "Shade" is for them and for the many lesser-known non-white non-heterosexuals whose existence has neverthe- less allowed the sun to shine just a little bit brighter on another's life. Further, it is a reminder to those who would choose to selectively forget that the legacy of black gays, lesbians and bisexuals in this country and throughout the world is rich and constantly unfurling. It should be ignored by neither straights nor by whites because what these people have done - and continue to do - have bene- fited the lives of world citizens many times over. But, as with blacks, women and others, the story of gay contributions is accompanied by a sad reality: Many would prefer to keep the accomplishments while forgetting the accom . plished. "In the past, one might overlook the fact that James Baldwin was gay and read him only for his opinions on race," Morrow said. "Or white gays might read 'Giovanni's Room' as a whie gay novel and not really acknowledge the fact that the author, Baldwin, was black. You miss half the story if you don't keep in mind that Baldwih was black and gay writing a novel about a white American in Paris. "So the advice I'd give to someone reading 'Shade,' regardless of their race or sexual otien- tation, is the same. Open your eyes and your mind. See what you've denied existence and voice. 'Shade' gives voice to what many Meight not want to hear. Get used to it. Learn from it. Then do what these courageous writers have done in contributing to this anthology: Go out and speak the unspeakable." I Art Fair artists draw big crowds Opinions vary depending on who you ask about annual fairs By Ryan White Daily Arts Writer So, what is Art Fair? Well, you'll get a different answer depending on who you ask. Ann Arbor Resident: It is when I try to leave town on vacation. Tourist In Town For The Event: It's lots of really cool art, food, entertain- ment and sales. Resident: It is nearly the same thing every year, and I can't get around town because it is full of extra people and half the roads are closed off. Tourist: It is hard to find a place to park, and it usually rains, but it is still a lot of fun and one of the nation's top art festivals. Resident: I usually have at least six strollers jammed into my shins. Tourist: Sorry. Truth be told, the answer to the ques- tion is probably found somewhere between the Resident's rantings and the Tourist's ravings. To start with, there are actually three fairs: The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair which is held on South University Avenue, East University Avenue and Church Street; The State Street Area Art Fair occupies the center of the downtown area on Maynard, Liberty, and William streets and North University Avenue; and The Summer Art Fair on portions of State, Liberty and Main streets. More than 1,000 artists draw more than 500,000 people to Ann Arbor over a four-day span. There is also lots of food and live entertainment. Basically . .. .,- Ann Arbor Art Pairs >When:Four days at the end of July What. Three art fairs take over South University Avenue, South State Street and Main Street Information: Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor's Bureau, 995-7281 Size: More than 1,000 artists, more than 500,000 visitors it's four straight Football Saturdays, but with a bunch of roads blocked off. What draws people, however, is the tradition. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair cele- brated its 37th year this summer. The State Street fair is 29 years old and th SummerArt Fair is in its 26th year. Intfi past, the fairs have begun the Wednesday of the third full week of July. Beginning next year, however, the fairs will start on the third Wednesday in July. Despite being the oldest of the three fairs, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the smallest. The organizers took nearly 2,000 applications for just 190 spots. It is also the most distinguished, though. In September 1995, Sunshine Artist selected the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair as the No. 1 fine craft show in the country. At the fair you'll find paintings, etch- ings, silkscreens, handmade crafts and work from the Ann Arbor Potters Guild. The other two fairs offer much of the same when it comes to art, but the back- grounds are different. From the restau- rants and shops on and around Main Street, to the bars and coffee shops that line South University Avenue, the fairs have something for all tastes. One plus for Ann Arbor residents who don't necessarily enjoy the fairs is the fact that many of the downtown stores use the time to mark prices down. One can get discounts on anything from corn-