What is Urban literature?

1. What is Urban literature? • Urban Fiction • Street Fiction • Gangsta Lit • Ghetto Lit • Hip-Hop Lit • Black Pulp Fiction

2. What is Urban literature? “A set of fast-paced, gritty novels about street life. These novels typically take place in urban settings and feature protagonists of color, usually African Americans. Often considered the literary kin to rap music, street-lit novels feature many elements common in contemporary rap; sex, drugs, crime, flashy material goods, and up-to-date street slang” -Megan Honig

3. Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel” • Born Robert Lee Maupin in 1918 in Chicago, died of diabetes complication in 1992 • Pimped from ages 18-42 before reforming

4. Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel” • Incarcerated several times. Begins writing his story during a 10 month solitary confinement • Publisher Holloway House has calls for black writers to give account of the "black experience"

5. Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel” • This book became the infamous 1969 work Pimp: The Story Of My Life

6. Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel” • Iceberg Slim would go on to write 6 more books • Each highlighted the brutality of life in the ghetto, the criminal activity, and struggles of the ghetto's inhabitants in an unprecedented way

7. Donald Goines • Born in Detroit In 1936, killed by gunshot with his wife in 1974 • Began writing during incarceration after reading Iceberg Slim's work • Wrote 16 titles in 5 years!

8. Donald Goines

9. The rise of the contemporary urban fiction novel Mainstream publishing first began producing modern urban fiction novels in the late 1990's Flyy Girl (1996) by Omar Tyree Push (1996) by Sapphire

10. The rise of the contemporary urban fiction novel Sister Souljah became most successful, with 1 million copies sold The Coldest Winter Ever (1999) by Sister Souljah

11. Self promotion brings tremendous growth • After Sister Souljah’s success, many writers began putting together their own stories • But publishers still hadn't gotten entirely on board • Many writers self-published and promoted, selling out of car trunks, at prison bus stops, at street booths, and online

12. Self promotion brings tremendous growth • These were such writers as K'wan, Vickie Stringer, Teri Woods, Nikki Turner, Tanika Lynch, and Zane, who remain extremely popular.

13. Many young adults read adult street lit, so it's important to know about these authors • Though marketed towards an adult audience, these books often have teenage protagonists

14. Significant titles published in the last 12 years • Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez • Ex Latin Queen and Latin King wrote about experiences, lessons, and escape from circumstances • Used pen names to keep identity safe

15. Significant titles published in the last 12 years Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez

16. Significant titles published in the last 12 years The Precious Cummings Books by Deja King

17. Significant titles published in the last 12 years From Pieces To Weight by 50 Cent

18. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction • During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit • "These tamer titles tend to follow a familiar ply -- involving teen characters in the same dicey situations as adults. But unlike adult urban fiction, teen titles often keep sex and violence at arm's length. Teen street lit also often includes warnings about the harmful consequences of destructive or criminal behavior." (Pattee 30)

19. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction • During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit • "Urban lit in its pure form is nothing if not authentic, and harsh realism is its hallmark." (Peach 17)

20. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction Bluford High Series

21. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction Drama High Series by L. Divine

22. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction KimaniTru

23. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction HotlantaSeries by Mitzi Miller and DeneneMillne

24. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction Ride Wit' Me by Katina King

25. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction The Anderson Family Books by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

26. The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction Tyrell by Coe Booth

27. criticism and controversy Themes • Race • Class • Gender • Sexuality • Harsh Depiction of reality

28. criticism and controversy Content • Crime • Graphic Violence • Graphic Sex • Explicit Language • Misogyny • Homophobia

29. criticism and controversy Literary Quality • Spelling and grammar errors • Heavy use of slang • Seen as “trash” or “dumbed down literature”

30. criticism and controversy Portrayal of African Americans • Inaccurate • Perpetuates racism and stereotypes • Glamorizes “thug lifestyle”

31. criticism and controversy “Actions and portrayals of one or a group of African Americans are presumed to reflect on all African American people. For this reason, upwardly mobile African American readers may be concerned that the characters, situations, and language of street lit reflect on them personally. Hidden in this fear is anxiety about social class. Elements that appear in street lit reflect a stigmatized underclass from which critics of the genre may be eager to distance themselves.” -Megan Honig

32. criticism and controversy Which shelf does Urban Lit belong on? • With African American Fiction or “Black Experience”? • Separate Urban Lit section?

33. criticism and controversy • “As I stood there in Borders, I was ashamed and mortified to see my books sitting on the same shelves as these titles…I must say that I retain very little of the hope and excitement and enthusiasm that I had when my first book was published eight years ago. I feel defeated, disrespected and troubled about the future of my community and my little subsection of this carnivorous, unforgiving industry.” • -Nick Chiles • African American Author

34. Benefits of Urban Lit Promotes Literacy • Exposure/gateway to new types of literature • Can be used as powerful literacy tool by libraries

35. Benefits of Urban Lit Personal connection with text • Able to read about African American characters within modern literature • Any grammatical errors and lack of punctuation lends itself to the authentic feel

36. Benefits of Urban Lit Personal connection with text • Reading Urban Lit “validates the reader’s ability of urban inner-city life because it connects the fantastical (the sheer trauma of the drama in ghetto life) with narratives that say, ‘Yes, this exists; yes, this is real’…it is the streets telling their stories back to the people” -Vanessa Irvin Morris

37. Benefits of Urban Lit Reading as an escape • Fun to read • Very plot-driven and fast-paced • Connections to hip-hop culture and well-known brands • Appeal due to controversial topics such as sex and violence • Contrast to mandatory school reading • Leisure reading enhances reading skills

38. Benefits of Urban Lit open lines of communication • Parents can use urban lit as opportunity to openly discuss difficult topics • Stories can be viewed as “cautionary tales” or “urban Cinderella stories”

39. Benefits of Urban Lit open lines of communication • Can be used by reader to reflect on and understand own lives • Participation in open forums / book discussions • Re-evaluate and analyze depiction of characters • Widener Teen Street Lit Book Club run by Philadelphia Public Library

40. 6 steps to meeting urban lit reader’s needsFrom Megan Honig’s “Takin’ it to the Street: Teens and Street Lit” • Respect The Genre • Provide Satisfying Alternatives • Provide Access • Collect Urban Lit • Use Urban Lit in Library Programs • Broaden Your Collection

41. Recommended reads The Bully: Bluford High Series by Paul Langan Drama High: So, So Hood by L. Devine Keysha’s Drama by Kimani Tru

42. Recommended reads My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez Upgrade U by Ni-Ni Simone Who Am I Without Him by Sharon Flake • Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty • by G.Neri