Milton

I agree; guns should be more difficult to obtain. I also believe that assault rifles and their like should be unavailable, period. There should also be a beefed up effort to restrict illegal access to guns. If obtaining guns is to be restricted it will have to be a national policy. Southern states have fewer restrictions; at one time it was reported that most of the guns used in crimes in NYC were purchased in Georgia. But coming up with a national policy is difficult due to the interpretation of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, and the concept that Americans have the right to rise up against the government if 'we' feel said government is oppressing 'us.' In order to do so 'we' should have the means to properly arm 'ourselves.' Hence the debate.

Can't answer that question. I wish I could. I've thought about it long and hard and couldn't come up with anything reasonable. It seems as though violence is ingrained in our culture. We respond to violently to almost every situation, from domestic disputes to traffic disagreements. Guns are definitely part of the problem, but it's probably a cultural issue as well. It would be interesting to see if there is a correlation between access to firearms and violence. Jamaica and South Africa have very high murder rates; I wonder what is the gun policy in those countries? If a culture is prone to violence, would access to firearms make a difference?

I'd love to have the e-mail of the principal. I'd most surely share my thoughts.

Great book. I enjoyed it very much because it's a reflection of my family's history.

I'm in between novels, trying to decide which to read next. So in the meantime I'm reading Warfare in the Sokoto Caliphate. It's research for a book I'm working on.

LOL! My neighborhood is so peaceful it's scary. You leave your garage door open for a week and the only thing that will happen is you'll find a note saying, 'Please close your garage.' My last neighborhood I left the lawn mower out one day and it was gone the next. Like I said, it's a personal decision. I'm the last person to try to make an argument for gun ownership. Most people who own them have them for the wrong reasons. And you can argue the point that Zimmerman would have never confronted Trayvon if he didn't have a gun. As a matter of fact based on their size difference I know he wouldn't have. Little men don't confront big men unless they have back up one way or another or unless they're crazy like that. So while I don't think guns should be banned, I do think we need a higher level of gun control. We could do like Chris Rock suggested and charge $5000 for one bullet.

Thanks, Troy!

I'm on both sides of the issue. I grew up in the South with close ties to the country. I grew up around guns, mainly shotguns. I spent much of my youth hunting and I shot on the rifle team at Fort Valley State. I own a handgun for personal protection at home and I plan to purchase another one. But at the same time I feel uncomfortable when I go to the shooting range and I see all the sniper rifles, semiautomatic shotguns and rifles that can be easily converted into automatics. I'm not an NRA member and I never will be because I'm not fanatic about owning a gun. It's a personal choice for me, not a political statement. I know that most of the situations that would occur that would threaten my life would happen where I don't have access to my gun, but at least I'll have it there for home protection. I know all the arguments pro and con; this is how it fits into my life.

This weekend (August 18, 2012) I'm part of a panel at Happily Natural Day in Atlanta. We're discussing why black children need to read and write science fiction. I know my reason, but how about yours? Do you think black children should read and write science fiction? Why or why not? I'm interested in your feedback.

I'm a big fan of James Baldwin. He's one of the writers I list as a major influence on my writing style.

I'm very interested in your efforts as you know. I think it's time for some meaningful discussion between entities that would support such efforts.

The documentary by Kevin Costner, right?

Good question. As a self publisher/independent writer I don't meet the qualifications for most awards presented in my genre. But for me personally the awards are not that important. But I can understand the frustration. Awards are recognition from your peers of your accomplishments and most people would be lying if they said they wouldn't be happy to receive the praise of their peers. Awards also have a commercial benefit, acting as advertising by making other readers aware of your work. But that' how it goes for us. It's not right, but it's almost expected. Big ups to Toni Morrison.

The Black book store may have to consider become more diverse as well. Some are the only bookstore in the mall or shopping center they occupy. For instance, there is a local bookstore here that has a large Latino population as well. The store owner could probably benefit by offering spanish language books while keeping focused on his core business. He could also offer popular titles and periodical as well, since it is the only bookstore in the shopping center.

In my first go around in business I discovered much of what you guys are expressing. When i went into the publishing business I harbored no illusions. Like Hickson says, I've run into the scam artists and I've met some great people that have helped me along the way. My best advice is to go into this with no expectations. Write the best book you can, present it in the best way, and sell your ass off. That's all you can do.

A very deep discussion going on here. Hickson is dropping some serious knowledge. As I get deeper into my own publishing journey I'm encountering some of the same issues y'all are discussing. I had to disassociate myself from an event that I've attended since it's inception because the founder has decided it is better for him to play favorites than to do good business. It's a bittersweet decision but one that had to be made in order for me to continue to do good business and grow my company. To make a long story short, I embrace, enjoy and prefer doing business with my people AS LONG AS THEY DO GOOD BUSINESS. If not, I can't work with them. Period.

That's sad, Troy. I got the same response when I put a call out a few years ago among my fellow writers. I'm grateful for your list and plan to use it heavily during my upcoming marketing campaign. I think many black writers, especially black speculative fiction writers, are missing an opportunity to partner with black bookstores to becoming another unique revenue source. I hope I can inspire by example.

This is very true.

I once read a report that 85% of African Americans in the South had white descendants. That same report says 50% of white southerners have black descendants. It's a testimony to the abuse black women suffered during slavery and Jim Crow. Most African Americans in Chicago have southern roots so the information is of no surprise.

Nubian Bookstore, Morrow, GA. Marcus, the owner is cool and very supportive of local writers.

I am saddened by the level of materialism that exists not only among our young people, but Americans in general. It has always been an issue in this country since the beginning; the nation's constant expansion was based on Europeans' insatiable appetite for land which in those days was directly connected to wealth. Although we do need to establish our own businesses and financial institutions to provide employment and prosperity for our people, the everything has a price' attitude had devolved relationships between men and women to what one or the other can afford. Women and men have placed a price on themselves, believing that money buys happiness. I think that's the reason we see so many celebrities and other wealthy people resorting to dangerous behavior. They spent their lives seeking wealth only to find that once they have it it's not enough. There has to be a purpose to your life. We as parents and elders much teach that to our young ones.

Check out our latest Griots review! http://swordssorcery.blogspot.ca/2012/06/griots-sword-and-soul-anthology.html

So, tell me about this Black Pack party.

Nice!

I agree, Cynique.