Clarkesworld has an article up that discusses anthologies where some of my favorite anthologists are interviewed: John Joseph Adams, Ellen Datlow, Jonathan Strahan, and Ann & Jeff VanderMeer.
I just finished reading this article and it is so very interesting. It’s worth noting how many times the word “balance” came up in terms of putting together anthologies. Also diversity, and even honesty. This was a refreshing read from one of my favorite online magazines. This is why I keep coming back to Clarkesworld for more.
Reading this article is not just depressing, it’s disappointing. Maybe it’s because I am the daughter of slaves, but I really can’t get into this “everything is so bad that it will never get any better” thing. My ancestors toiled in the hot sun under the constant threat of the gun and the wipe for generations. Yet they had children, told stories, and hoped and worked for a new day. They had to believe that things would be better even if they wouldn’t live to see it. They lived in horrible conditions and yet still they made music and food and even a new culture.
So get over yourself Ebert. There have been people who made it through worst times than these. Have some perspective please. I commented on his blog myself and this is what I said--
I love Ebert, but I must disagree with the whole premise of this article. He seems to be confusing the end of a period in American history with the end of the world. The two are not the same. No one is deny that things are not going so well for us in the US. But this is a bed of our own making. There was a real serious lack of consideration for politics in our country. The artists were told to “shut up and sing” and for the most part they did. This is always a mistake for our best and brightest, our intellectuals and artists to stay out of the political arena and leave the lesser minded to watch the store for us. What has just happened (and it happening) is a lesson to us all that we have to stay engaged and vocal. And when we see something that stirs our conscience that we need to speak up, even if we face ridicule. Now is not the time to despair, now is the time to roll up our collective sleeves and work for a better day. Yes, things are bad. But we have an opportunity here to do something great. Let’s not waste this time on self pity.
Actually reading this article made me wonder about Ebert’s health. Is the guy well?
Majora Carter won the MacArthur Grant a.k.a. the genius award for her work in the South Bronx. Here is the page for this TEDTalk.
It is so good to have a grown-up, responsible person going into Office. I can’t tell you how much hearing him speak eases my weary soul.
Ever since I first saw the video How To Tell People They Sound Racist I’ve been catching up on Jay Smooth’s video blog. It’s like I’ve been living under a rock somewhere to have not known about this brother before. His stuff is (as the kids say) dope! I love his wonderful tribute to George Carlin and his assesment on the current economic crisis ---