GA Church Banning of Richard Wright effects on Christian Fiction

The purpose of Christian Fiction is to share Good storytellers with you. Sometimes these stories aren’t wrapped in pretty packages. Oftentimes these books aren’t discussed in Christian fiction circles, but they should. So in honor of Banned Books Week I want to share a Good book that some of our churches have removed[or removed] from some Georgia schools.(I live in Georgia.) Moreover, I want to share with you why fiction matters and this book shouldn’t be banned.

Banned Book: Native Son

Synopsis from Time Magazine:

In Chicago of the 1930's, where Bigger Thomas has found work as a chauffeur, he murders a young white woman, the only child of the wealthy family who has just hired him. Though the killing is accidental, it becomes a kind of retroactive act of will. It leads Thomas to an inquiry into his own injuries and humiliations at the hands of a sometimes literally bloodthirsty white society.

Who banned this book: Appling County School(Baxley, GA)  2008

Reason: Language

Response Appling High School English Department Head, Mary Ann Ellis, speaks out against the books' removal.:

Our students are the ones who’ve truly been betrayed by the very board responsible for giving them the best education available. Somewhere down the road when the ministers bring three more books and three more and Shakespeare, what will happen then?  Our students will leave this county unprepared for Mercer, UGA, Harvard, GSU.  Not because of the ministers, mind you. No, they can thank their very own Appling County Board of Education.

 Read her Op-Ed in the Baxley News-Banner.

My response: I read Native son in high school. My high school isn’t far from Baxley, Georgia, so I understand the region, especially Christianity influences there. However, what I don’t understand is how  that church couldn’t find black spiritualism and Christian existentialism as theme threads in. Perhaps because the ministers never read the book [according to the complaint.]

Thus, this realization causes another challenge.

I’ve talked with many ministers through the years about the relevance of Christian fiction and the banning of Christian fiction from their churches. And like Appling High School’s banning decision they, too, have never read the novels.

These decisions to ban books—for whatever reason—cripples our society. More so for Christian fiction authors, whose books are banned in their own churches…

Your thoughts. Does your church support Christian fiction? Or any fiction for that matter?

What is the Role of Christian Media Today?

This past week in Atlanta has been a hot unholy mess for me. Salacious news surrounding a well-known pastor, reminded me of some events I had hoped had drowned in the Sea of My Forgetfulness. But as more fodder fed into our news stream, an old troubling question—one that made me want to stop reporting Christian news and instead represent Christians to the media—resurfaced. What is the role of Christian Media?

• Is it to only report good news and avert bad news?
• Is it not to present current news that affect Christians?
• Is it the spin for Christians when secular media no longer drinks our Communion juice?

If the answer is “no” to any question, then why are we silent? Is that what God intended?

Continue reading "What is the Role of Christian Media Today?" »

Why Fiction Matters: Haiti

Praying for Haiti

During my childhood my mom would send my brother and I to Avon Park, Florida for the summer. While there we attend a summer bible study at a local baptist church and was introduced to Haitian immigrant kids who became our summer friends and frienenemies. I was curious about Haiti, I had never heard of the island until then. I've featured her here on the blog After I grew up and moved to Atlanta I was introduced again to the Haitian community when I met my ex-fiance Gaspard. Naturally, I went to the library to learn more and was introduced to the wonderful writings of Edwidge Danticat.She won the American Book Award in 1999 for The Farming of Bones. However, my favorite novel is The Dew Breaker, which on my first book review blog back in 2004 here.

The story is about an American sculptor, who learns that her father was  a "Dew Breaker," a member of the Tonton Macoutes, a group of volunteers who tortured and killed thousands of civilians under the regimes of François and Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti. Incredible story.

My favorite lines...

I immediately regret the question. Is he[father] going to explain why he and my mother have no close friends, why they’ve never had anyone over to the house, why they never speak of any relatives in Haiti or anywhere else, or have never returned there or, even after I learned Creole from them, have never taught me anything else about the country beyond what I could find out on my own, on the television, in newspapers, in books? Is he about to tell me why Manman is so pious? Why she goes to daily Mass? I am not sure I want to know anything more than the little they’ve chosen to share with me all these years, but it is clear to me that he needs to tell me, has been trying to for a long time.

“We have a proverb,” he continues. “One day for the hunter, one day for the prey. Ka, your father was the hunter, he was not the prey.”

 If you are seeking a great read about this torn island, I recommend any of her works.

And no... I will not respond to Pat Robertson' s statement regarding the Haiti earthquake, because it's beneath me.

Why Fiction Matters: Tyler Perry & Disney World Answers

Today I received a great newsfeed that would be great for our Why Fiction Matter's Tuesday piece. Read a snippet of the article below and ask yourself: What can I do with my writing voice that will help my community this summer? I'm answering the question myself and will come back with a response later this week.

From Susan Candiotti and Jean Shin CNN
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Tyler Perry, the star, writer and producer of films such as "Madea Goes to Jail" and the television show "House of Payne," could be adding philanthropist to his growing list of credits. According to his publicist, Perry is sponsoring a Disney World trip for 65 Pennsylvania children at a largely minority day-care center after a swim club canceled pool privileges for the children.
"He wanted to do something nice for them and let them know that for every negative experience, there are people out there who want them to succeed regardless of the color of their skin," said Keleigh Thomas, Perry's publicist. She added the entertainer would be footing the bill for all transportation, hotel, admissions and food costs at the Florida theme park.

"I am ecstatic for the children," Alethea Wright, director of the Creative Steps day-care center, told CNN. Perry's team extended the offer to her on Friday, she said. The Disney World stay will be from August 1 to 3, according to Perry's Web site.

...In a statement posted Monday on his Web site, Perry summed up his feelings about the pool situation: "This made me so angry," he wrote.
"This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life," he wrote, adding that with the trip to Disney World, "I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids."

Why Fiction Matters: Illiteracy in Small Towns

This past Saturday I was invited to meet the great, beautiful city of Madison, GA and to start a conversation about illiteracy in Morgan County. I was honored to be invited, since I was the only one in the group who was not a published author. Five other authors participated in the event.
We arrived to find a low turnout present. I conclude three reasons for the low numbers:

1. Minimal media placement.
2. The psychographics of Madison, GA (high illiteracy rate, public library under construction, attending a book event on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon isn't what Madison, GA enjoys.)
3. Faith

I want to talk about the latter, because the other two are more appropriate things to discuss on deegospelpr the site, and ... I want to talk about faith regarding the Christian faith based writer.

With this poor economy, poor disposable income for readers to want to purchase books, let alone Christian books authors--especially Christian fiction authors are weakening their resolve that God is their provider. I have writer friends who are awaiting book contracts from their publishing houses, while the PH is silent. I have writer friends who have had to return to working outside of writing their novels to sustain their family responsibilities. I have writer friends who are robbing Peter to pay Paul, in order to attend writer's conferences they believe they need to attend. I have writer friends who are complaining about speaking their words in the house of God. Let me repeat. I have writer friends who are complaing about speaking their words in the house of God, because they didn't make any money.

When has it ever been not enough just to be in the House of God?

When has it ever been not enough to speak your words to the Body of Christ, no matter how small or insignificant you think those people are?

When has it ever been not enough to glorify God with your highest praise(giving book to the House of God?)

I know these questions seem no brainers. But in reality when your back is against the wall and you have pressure from your publishing house and your family and your wallet to show some money for all this writing you do you can easily forget who you are and who you(including your book deal) belongs to.

I implore us all to seek Christ first on whatever we sign up to do, with the intention that the reward will just be the opportunity to be in presence.

I implore us to wrap ourselves around our brother and sister writer's in Christ who are filling more than a pinch, but a pang, so that we can keep their eyes on God.

It is hard. I know it. I am living it. I thank God for the friends I have who pick me up when I am weak to get off my knees. If you ever need somone to lift you up, email me. That is what we do. Because believe me I will be calling you. :)

Dee

Related Posts:

• Gran Torino
• Bookclubs & Ministry
• Global Food Crisis Day
  

Why Fiction Matters: Gran Torino

Disclaimer:Gran Torino is not a Faith Based Movie

This morning I finally saw Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino. It's one of those (actually all) Clint Eastwood Directed films that leave you speechless long after the credits have rolled. What I like best is Eastwood always chooses simple scripts with much depth. This time he chose debut screenwriter Nick Schenk, who wrote the script at a bar at night.

However, why I am writing about this script here is because of a constant discussion I have had with my writing friends about character develoment. What it means, why it's important, how to build a compelling story that gives a glimpse of a major turning point in the life of universal character. Gran Torino does that. Granted the minor characters (Walt's family) seem one dimensional, the characters that counted were fleshed out as far as they needed to be for this story.

Moreso, there is a spiritual takeaway in this story if you look through the racial slurs and juvenile misbehavior.Life's value isn't based on what we do, the titles we have, our social status, the money in the bank, even being parents...Life's value is based on the good impact you made on the relationships God placed in your presence between birth and death. I tell you. I sat in my room speechless and thinking about how can I be better.

Good writing--not always, but often--should convict us to want to be what God intended. Don't you think?

Dee

Why Fiction Matters: Global Food Crisis Day

Online Videos by Veoh.com

I am still under the weather, but would like to share and ask that you pray for me and fast with me today, not for my health, but for hunger throughout the world and our country. I was in Kroger's yesterday, searching for soup to soothe my achy tummy and gasped at the cost of Campbells. I thank God that He has blessed me with a little more money than He did last year, but I don't believe the extra cash is just to stay atop of rising gas, lettuce, eggs, back to school clothes and soup costs. This extra blessing has to be more and then He brought me to John Legend's Show Me Campaign, Compassion Bloggers and then to the Global Food Crisis website.

The global food crisis is forcing millions to go hungry. Please join us on June 25, 2008, for a day of prayer and fasting for those suffering.

What is the global food crisis?

The World Food Programme calls the global food crisis a phenomenon, a "silent tsunami," that is affecting families in every nation on every continent. Food prices for popular menu items like rice, wheat and beans have doubled in the last year. Though increases in food prices have hit all budgets, it's the poor who bear the brunt of price inflation. The higher prices are forcing people who survive on just $1 a day to spend upwards of 80 percent of their budgets just on food. As a result, many people, including millions of children, are going hungry. The longer food prices rise, the more people will be plunged into hunger and poverty.

Why is the global food crisis happening?

Food shortages have affected developing countries for generations. It's a cyclical problem. But this global food crisis is more rapid, urgent and devastating. Since 2005, food prices have risen a whopping 80 percent. Why?

• rising fuel costs
• rising food demand from populous nations like India and China
• natural disasters destroying crop yields all over the world, including the United States
• growth of biofuels

How has the global food crisis affected Compassion families?

The global food crisis is forcing poor families to spend more of their household budgets on food, leaving little for anything else. In Bangladesh more than 90 percent of the 12,179 children we serve in 82 Compassion-assisted centers are affected. Many children are eating only at the church-based center. Compassion Haiti estimates it will need at least $2 million and up to $6 million to feed the 60,000 registered children and their families over the next few months.

What can I do to help fight the global food crisis?

Join Compassion's Day of Prayer and Fasting on June 25, 2008. This is the day we will honor the victims of the global food crisis and pray for them.

Give to Compassion's Global Food Crisis Fund. Your gift will help provide:

• food vouchers to children and families needing immediate relief.
• seeds and agricultural tools so that families can grow their own food as well as earn extra income.
• supplemental nutrition services offered at Compassion-assisted centers around the world.

What to Do next? Subscribe or Join The Christian Fiction Network. You can have CFB arrive to your email, check the sidebar to the right.

Related Links:

• Show Me that You Love Me

• Pearl's Miracle: a short story

• Creston Mapes' A Nobody of Great Significance
  

• 2008 Summer Beach Read Nominee #2: Say You're One of Them

• What do you do after Live 8

Why Fiction Matters: Bynum on Divorce Court

We writers spend months trying to come up with compelling fiction to write about. Yet we are often trumped by sad and weird reality. Televangelist Juanita Bynum will be on television... this time on Divorce Court? Please explain this to me...

Any writing prompts from this one? I feel a new Law & Order episode in the near future.

Why Fiction Matters: Atlanta Children & Sheba

Today at 10:15 am Atty Paul Howard, DA for Fulton County along with the FBA announced that DNA evidence now proves that Wayne Williams is the Atlanta Child Murder's Serial Killer. They used the DNA fibers from his dog, Sheba to prove this twenty-five-year old case. All 5 hairs found on 5 different victims contain the same DNA sequence matches that match Sheba. However, there is still much speculation as to the validity of this new evidence and whether evidence tampering had taken place..

I was a little girl when the Atlanta Child Murders took place, so I don't remember much. But I do remember a time when my Mom was too scared to let my brother and I play outside. Bringing this case up reminds me of such a scary time. I wonder what will it take to bring closure to this tragedy?

A great book that explores this time is Tayari Jones' Leaving Atlanta.