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What is Urban literature?
Urban Fiction
Street Fiction
Gangsta Lit
Ghetto Lit
Hip-Hop Lit
Black Pulp Fiction
What is Urban literature?“A set of fast-paced, gritty novels about street life. These novels typically take place in urban settings and feature protagonists of color, usually African Americans. Often considered the literary kin to rap music, street-lit novels feature many elements common in contemporary rap; sex, drugs, crime, flashy material goods, and up-to-date street slang”
-Megan Honig
Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”
Born Robert Lee Maupin in 1918 in Chicago, died of diabetes complication in 1992
Pimped from ages 18-42 before reforming
Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”
Incarcerated several times. Begins writing his story during a 10 month solitary confinement
Publisher Holloway House has calls for black writers to give account of the "black experience"
Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”
This book became the infamous 1969 work Pimp: The Story Of My Life
Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”
Iceberg Slim would go on to write 6 more books
Each highlighted the brutality of life in the ghetto, the criminal activity, and struggles of the ghetto's inhabitants in an unprecedented way
Donald Goines Born in Detroit In 1936,
killed by gunshot with his wife in 1974
Began writing during incarceration after reading Iceberg Slim's work
Wrote 16 titles in 5 years!
Donald Goines
Mainstream publishing first began producing modern urban fiction novels in the late 1990's
Flyy Girl (1996)by Omar Tyree
Push (1996)by Sapphire
The rise of the contemporary urban fi ction novel
The rise of the contemporary urban fi ction novel
The Coldest Winter Ever (1999)
by Sister Souljah
Sister Souljah became most successful, with 1 million copies sold
Self promotion brings tremendous growth
After Sister Souljah’s success, many writers began putting together their own stories
But publishers still hadn't gotten entirely on board
Many writers self-published and promoted, selling out of car trunks, at prison bus stops, at street booths, and online
Self promotion brings tremendous growth
These were such writers as K'wan, Vickie Stringer, Teri Woods, Nikki Turner, Tanika Lynch, and Zane, who remain extremely popular.
Many young adults read adult street lit, so it's important to know about these authors
Though marketed towards an adult audience, these books often have teenage protagonists
Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years
Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez
Ex Latin Queen and Latin King wrote about experiences, lessons, and escape from circumstances
Used pen names to keep identity safe
Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years
Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez
Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years
The Precious Cummings Books by Deja King
Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years
From Pieces To Weight by 50 Cent
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit
"These tamer titles tend to follow a familiar ply -- involving teen characters in the same dicey situations as adults. But unlike adult urban fiction, teen titles often keep sex and violence at arm's length. Teen street lit also often includes warnings about the harmful consequences of destructive or criminal behavior." (Pattee 30)
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit
"Urban lit in its pure form is nothing if not authentic, and harsh realism is its hallmark." (Peach 17)
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Bluford High Series
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Drama High Series by L. Divine
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Kimani Tru
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Hotlanta Seriesby Mitzi Miller and Denene Millne
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Ride Wit' Me by Katina King
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
The Anderson Family Books by Alan Lawrence Sitomer
The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction
Tyrell by Coe Booth
criticism and controversy
Themes Race Class Gender Sexual ity Harsh Depicti on of real ity
criticism and controversy
Content Crime Graphic Violence Graphic Sex Expl ic it Language Misogyny Homophobia
criticism and controversy
Literary Quality Spel l ing and grammar errors Heavy use of s lang Seen as “trash” or “dumbed
down l i terature”
criticism and controversy
Portrayal of African Americans Inaccurate Perpetuates racism and
stereotypes Glamorizes “thug l i festyle”
criticism and controversy
“ Actions and portrayals of one or a group of African Americans are presumed to reflect on all African American people. For this reason, upwardly mobile African American readers may be concerned that the characters, situations, and language of street lit reflect on them personally. Hidden in this fear is anxiety about social class. Elements that appear in street lit reflect a stigmatized underclass from which critics of the genre may be eager to distance themselves.”
-Megan Honig
criticism and controversy
Which shelf does Urban Lit belong on?
With Afr ican American F icti on or “Black Experience”?
Separate Urban L it secti on?
criticism and controversy
“ A s I s to o d t h e r e i n B o rd e r s , I w a s a s h a m e d a n d m o r ti fi e d to s e e my b oo ks s i tti ng o n t he s a m e s he l v e s a s t he s e ti t l e s … I m u st s a y t ha t I r eta i n v e r y l i tt l e o f t he ho p e a n d exc i te m e nt a nd e nt hu s i a s m t h a t I h a d w he n my fi r st b oo k w a s p u b l i s h e d e i g ht y e a r s a g o . I fe e l d efe a te d , d i s r e s p e c te d a nd t r o ub l e d a b ou t t h e f u t ur e o f my com m un i t y a nd my l i tt l e s u bs e c ti o n of t h i s ca r n i vo r ou s , u nfor g i v i ng i nd u st r y.”
- N i c k C h i l e sAfrican American Author
Exposure/gateway to new types of literature
Can be used as powerful literacy tool by libraries
Promotes LiteracyBenefits of Urban Lit
Benefi ts o f Urban L i t
Personal connection with text Able to read about African American
characters within modern literature Any grammatical errors and lack of
punctuation lends itself to the authentic feel
Benefi ts o f Urban L i t
Personal connection with text Reading Urban Lit “validates the reader’s
ability of urban inner-city life because it connects the fantastical (the sheer trauma of the drama in ghetto life) with narratives that say, ‘Yes, this exists; yes, this is real’…it is the streets telling their stories back to the people”
-Vanessa Irvin Morris
Benefi ts o f Urban L i t
Reading as an escape Fun to read
Very plot-driven and fast-paced Connections to hip-hop culture and well-
known brands Appeal due to controversial topics such
as sex and violence Contrast to mandatory school reading
Leisure reading enhances reading skills
Benefi ts o f Urban L i t
open lines of communication Parents can use urban lit as opportunity
to openly discuss difficult topics Stories can be viewed as “cautionary
tales” or “urban Cinderella stories”
Benefi ts o f Urban L i t
open lines of communication Can be used by reader to reflect on and
understand own lives Participation in open forums / book
discussions Re-evaluate and analyze depiction of
characters Widener Teen Street Lit Book Club run by
Philadelphia Public Library
6 steps to meeting urban lit reader’s needs
From Megan Honig’s “Takin’ it to the Street: Teens and Street Lit”
1. Respect The Genre2. Provide Satisfying Alternatives3. Provide Access4. Collect Urban Lit5. Use Urban Lit in Library Programs6. Broaden Your Collection
Recommended reads
The Bully: Bluford High Series
by Paul Langan
Drama High: So, So Hood by L. Devine
Keysha’s Drama by Kimani Tru
Recommended reads
My Bloody Life: The Making of a
Latin King by Reymundo
Sanchez
Upgrade U by Ni-Ni Simone
Who Am I Without Him
by Sharon Flake
Yummy: The Last Days of a
Southside Shorty
by G.Neri