This month I had the opportunity to create the Diversity Quiz, centered around Black Heritage Month. As this heritage month had been explored in previous quizzes, I decided to focus on contemporary African American authors. Having taken multiple history and literature courses which explored prominent books by black authors, I already had a base from which to start. I knew Toni Morrison had written Beloved, and that Maya Angelou had been abused. I had read Dawn by Octavia Butler and analyzed it thoroughly.
When I set out to find quiz material, I wanted to go beyond what I knew about these authors’ books, and discover more about their lives. To do so I looked through the biographies each of them had on their websites, read the descriptions of their books for inspiration, and read old interviews. And then I began to branch away from Butler, Morrison, and Angelou, to other authors.
I was in the process of looking at the Contemporary Black Authors Booklist put forth by the Silas Bronson Library, when my eyes rested on a couple names – Mary Monroe and Reshonda Tate Billingsley. I had never heard of either of them, but decided to investigate.
In my research I discovered the National Association of Black Journalists, and their Spirit in the Words poetry competition. I learned about books which draw a harsh picture of community and hope. And most importantly, I learned about authors whose books are national bestsellers but had not been brought to my attention.
This Diversity Quiz was not only a chance for me to research authors I already knew and love, but also those whose names should be loved.