Edited by Lamar Giles co-founder of WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS
Merriam-Webster - Definition of anthology. plural
anthologies. 1. : a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works
of art or music.
FRESH INK is an enlightening collection of
fiction which exposes what is lacking in the literature available today. It
exemplifies the essence of the WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS movement by bringing
together short stories and other genres written by award-winning diverse
authors.
A non-white family is forced out of their
home of twenty years by higher rents and the broken romance that’s left behind.
A young woman first recognizes her attraction
to another girl.
A Native America denying their heritage to
fit in with the popular kids.
An outstanding one-act play featuring victims
of inner-city gun violence.
A young woman coming out to her grandmother
and the peace she achieves in her acceptance.
A sci-fi featuring people of color saving the
world.
A gang of non-violent kids who steal to
survive but care about and support each other.
College kids united against hate and the view
that non-persons of color just don’t understand.
Standing up to bullies.
The uncertainty of living in America on a
green card.
A young woman having the courage to become a
young man during their high school years.
A young woman entrusted with saving the world
takes a giant leap of faith.
Twelve tales of true-life troubles. Fresh Ink
is something to experience. I rated it a B+.
A side note of particular importance to me. I
support #WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS, 100%. This anthology solidifies my position on
that. We need more stories by authors with these experiences. The experiences
of today’s diverse youth. However, I cannot ignore the fallout created by the
#OWNVOICES a cause with a similar goal. I urge diverse authors to come forward
and write more of these powerful truths. At the same time, I urge agents and
editors not to ignore a gifted author’s ability through research to craft a
world which they themselves have never experienced.
If we are
adamant about #OWNVOICES – who will soon be left to write about the World Wars,
the Holocaust, landing on the moon? Even Corrine Duyvis originator of #OWNVOICES
believes… “Q: Are you saying privileged authors shouldn’t write outside
their experiences? A: “No.
People can write whatever they want; that goes both ways…”1
“All #ownvoices does is center the voices that
should matter most: those being written about.”2
I agree, these voices matter. I just don’t believe it’s the only
way a story can be told. I can write contemporary fiction about countries I’ve
never been to. Can I write about the American Revolution? I didn’t live it but
I can still experience a vision of it. Be open to the possibility of good
writing, whatever the source.
1,2
Source: www.corinneduyvis.net/ownvoices/
