Greetings,<br><br>If you missed my book talk at the Urbana Free Library, there's another chance to catch me at the Illini Union Bookstore on <b>Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m. <br></b><br>Authors Corner: Brian Dolinar, <i>The Black Cultural Front: Black Writers and Artists of the Depression Generation</i><br>
Wednesday, October 17<br>4:30-5:30pm<br>Illini Union Bookstore (Wright and Daniel St.)<br><br>Free and open to the Public<br><br>BD<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div>
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<img src="http://www.upress.state.ms.us/images/book-covers/9781617032691.jpg" alt="The+Black+Cultural+Front%3Cbr+%2F%3E+Black+Writers+and+Artists+of+the+Depression+Generation" border="0" height="315" width="200">
</div><br><p><i>The Black Cultural Front</i> describes how the social and
political movements that grew out of the Depression facilitated the left
turn of several African American artists and writers. The Communist-led
John Reed Clubs brought together black and white writers in writing
collectives. The Congress of Industrial Organizations' effort to recruit
black workers inspired growing interest in the labor movement. One of
the most concerted efforts was made by the National Negro Congress, a
coalition of civil rights and labor organizations, which held cultural
panels at its national conferences, fought segregation in the arts,
promoted cultural education, and involved writers and artists in staging
mass rallies during World War II.
</p><p>This book examines the formation of a black cultural front by
looking at the works of poet Langston Hughes, novelist Chester Himes,
and cartoonist Ollie Harrington. While none of these writers were
card-carrying members of the Communist Party, they all participated in
the Left during their careers. Interestingly, they all turned to
creating popular culture in order to reach the black masses who were
captivated by movies, radio, newspapers, and detective novels. There are
chapters on Hughes's "Simple" stories, Himes's detective fiction, and
Harrington's "Bootsie" cartoons.
</p><p>Collectively, the experience of these three figures contributes
to the story of a "long" movement for African American freedom that
flourished during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Yet this book also
stresses the impact that McCarthyism had on dismantling the Black Left
and how it affected each individual involved. Each was radicalized at a
different moment and for different reasons. Each suffered for their past
allegiances, whether fleeing to the haven of the "Black Bank" in Paris,
or staying home and facing the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Yet the lasting influence of the Depression in their work was evident
for the rest of their lives.<br></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>-- <br>Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.<br>303 W. Locust St.<br>Urbana, IL 61801<br><a href="mailto:briandolinar@gmail.com">briandolinar@gmail.com</a><br>