Category Archives: Chicago Writing
Leanita McClain: The Middle-class Black’s Burden
Leanita McClain’s elegant, but also blunt writing brought into focus the intersection of race, politics, justice, and family life as passionately as any writer in America ever has. McClain (1952-1984), the first Black member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board … Continue reading
WBEZ interviews Richard Guzman about Black Writing from Chicago
In 2006 shortly after the release of my book Black Writing from Chicago: In the World, Not of It? WBEZ, Chicago, 91.5 FM—the nation’s largest Public Radio station—called to set up an interview. Steve Edwards did his typically fine intro and … Continue reading
Haki Madhubuti: Black Men, Obsolete?
Born in Detroit as Don L. Lee in 1942, Haki Madhubuti’s daring voice, inventive phrasing, and ability to capture the rhythms and sardonic moods of Black speech have made him one of the two or three most imitated black poets … Continue reading