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| Me on a good day |
Over the last couple of years, I have become increasingly annoyed with some of my librarian peers, K-12 educators and members of academia. This state that I find myself in is a result of comments and attitudes about the genre of Street Literature, also known as Urban Fiction. If you have been following this blog since it's inception, I have discussed this genre heavily, i.e. definition, origins, popularity with teens etc. You can also view one of my popular presentations from 2013 on my slideshare account here:
The following list has grown from 10 points to 12 in this year. My hope is I will have a solid 25 points about Street Literature that I can use to promote the genre and debate more effectively with. By no means am I an expert on this topic, I'm merely a librarian that has observed first hand how this genre has positively impacted the lives of marginalized otherwise forgotten youth of Chicago's inner city.
I am interested in feedback on what I have written, please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section of this blog. Just a fyi, I do not tolerate negative comments directed at others who wish to leave a comment. In other words, serving others tea on my blog is not tolerated - respect for other's opinion is celebrated. Peace, K.C.
I am interested in feedback on what I have written, please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section of this blog. Just a fyi, I do not tolerate negative comments directed at others who wish to leave a comment. In other words, serving others tea on my blog is not tolerated - respect for other's opinion is celebrated. Peace, K.C.
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| Betcha didn't know! |
Twelve Points About Street Literature
1. All stories have VALUE, regardless of the lens/perspective it's told from.
2. Who are any of us (librarians/reading specialists/educators) to say Street Literature is not a genre?
3. Urban Fiction is a genre and Street Literature is a sub-genre of Urban Fiction, both should be respected as such.
4. Street Literature is a genre that should be in all library collections for teens and adults. As should other books that celebrate various subjects and cultures.
5. To make excuses (I've heard many of them) not to include them is just plain sad and a disservice to your patrons.
6. Street Literature is a genre that should not be ignored by librarians. This genre has served as a catalyst to jump start reluctant readers to read more frequently.
7. Street Literature has provided a pipeline for readers of all ages to learn/understand communities unlike their own.
8. From my personal experience, many critics of Street Literature have not read one book within the genre or a body of work representing various authors and reading levels.
9. Many critics of Street Literature just don't understand it. Just think about it: What happens when we don't understand something....We reject it.
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| Street Literature Book Award Medal Created by Dr. Vanessa Irvin |
10. Many librarians have Young Adult Street Literature books within their collections, and are unaware of their genre classification.
11. Articles have been written about the success of the genre's authors - http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/ashley-jaquavis-coleman-profile/?_r=0
The Street Literature Book Award Medal has been created to celebrate books written each year within the genre - http://www.streetliterature.com/p/slbam.html
12. Urban Fiction/Street Literature is here to stay....deal with it.
"Street Lit. Writers Must Be Heard"
Another post that should be read is Amy Koester's blog post,
"Selection is Privilege"
The Reader's Advisory Guide to Street Literature by Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris
You go girl !!!:). Every single creative idea should be respected , not rejected. We're all "living proof of individual stories".
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