Early this morning I received some sad news that prolific author E. Lynn Harris had passed while on a book tour for his latest title, Basketball Jones .Harris' tales introduced me to a new kind of literature, a new kind of guilty pleasure, celebrity romance novels. His stories about behind the scenes life of celebrities, ballers, ministers were fabulous cautionary tales and all possessing themes about homosexuality, identity and redemption.
Here at the blog we featured his novel, I Say a Little Prayer. It was released during a time of controversy here in Atlanta. A popular megachurch led a public rally denouncing the homosexual lifestyle. His book mirrored this event-- but more than that--explored the tortured soul. How can you move past self-condemnation? How do you defend your faith and your identity at the same time?
I've listened and have spoken about homosexuality and the church, the prevalence of secret sin and shame among African American Christian men, and how the war against HIV/AIDS can't be won when people of faith refuse to call the prejudice out.
I don't know Mr. Harris personally or what he believed, but I do know that his works inspired my and millions of readers. Yesterday was a hard day for me, because the enormity of my financial situation has began to kick against my health. Truthfully, I wanted to lay in bed and just look at the wall all day. Then God spoke to me to get up and open the window. The sky was blue, a gorgeous blue that for some reason is captured in the color of Michael Easley and James McAvoy's eyes (really!) I got up, and then I received the call of Harris' passing. I say this to you and myself, as I ask you this weekend's chatterbox question: What are we doing with what God has given us today? Are we making a literary impact? And what will it take for us to start now before it's too late?
