It is important to highlight the work of Black artists that often get overlooked by the mainstream media. I will share with you some of my favorite authors whose books I’ve been reading recently. The authors listed are all contemporary given that we should celebrate them now and continue to help them achieve their goals. Here are my personal top three!
- Jesmyn Ward
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Ward writes books with imagery that is reminiscent of mythical folklore while also displaying the harshness of current reality. I recently read her book called Salvage the Bones, which illustrates the lives of a rural family during Hurricane Katrina. It details the beauties and struggles of the Black community during a tragic event, showcasing the wonders of a family coming together despite losing everything. Ward also recently released two new books: Navigate the Stars, which was a speech given by Ward highlighting her experiences as a Southern Black author, and Fight of the Century: Writers Reflect on 100 Years of Landmark ACLU Cases, a collection of stories written by her and other writers regarding the Civil Rights Movement and current struggles in inequality.
- Bryan Washington
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Washington published his first book in 2019 and is now making waves with his new book Memorial. The book focuses on a couple living in Houston, Texas whose relationship seems to be coming to an end. Before that though, one of the pair, Mike, leaves for Osaka, Japan to take care of his estranged father while leaving his mother in the care of his partner. The most awkward meet-the-family moment probably ever written turns into a story about all stages of human relationships that signifies the beginning and end of human life. Washington’s new book has garnered well earn awards and success, and I am personally awaiting his new book with excitement.
- Nnedi Okorafor
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Okorafor writes mainly science fiction and fantasy novels. They are similar to Star Wars: From a Different Point of View, a book she co-authored with John Jackson Miller and Meg Cabot. Her trilogy Binti, which will be made into a show on Hulu, showcases African culture through the main character’s point of view. She demonstrates the discrimination African culture receives, even from places like the world’s top university. Okorafor blends these moments of reality into science-fiction novellas, making a series that increases the diversity in the genre while also pointing out the issues within it. Okorafor employs these elements of Africanfuturism and Africanjujuism to create amazing novels that people of all ages can enjoy.
It’s important as a white ally to make sure you are diversifying your choices of media to consume. As a book lover, I want to ensure that I am a reader of all viewpoints in order to educate myself on the ways the world looks like to other people. This list is also tiny compared to the hundreds of Black artists and authors out there, and everyone should make sure to find them and listen to their messages. If you want to check out other authors, try Zadie Smith, Amanda Gorman, Ta-Nehisi Coates, N.K. Jemisin and Sara Collins, just to name a few more. Give these authors a chance, and they will be on your reading list forever!