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Quote by Ishmael Reed

“I wasn't part of any sixties movement. I'm skeptical of movements. I'm part of the times that I'm in.”

Author

Ishmael Reed is an American poet, novelist, and playwright. Known for his unique literary style and profound exploration of racial, class, and gender issues, Reed was born on February 22, 1938. more

“I was on a panel with light skinned Blacks and a famous gay science fiction writer, who were complaining about how Blacks are against gays and light skinned Blacks and how intolerant Blacks are of different groups. My position was that Blacks were among the most humanistic, tolerant groups in the country and that across the street from my house in Oakland was one inhabited by White gays.”

Different Country Light House White Fiction Groups Streets Position Gay Science Fiction Complaining Fiction Writers Humanistic Oakland

Author:Ishmael Reed

“My work holds up the mirror to hypocrisy, which puts me in a tradition of American writing that reaches back to Nathaniel Hawthorne.”

Writing Tradition Mirrors Hypocrisy Hawthorne

Author:Ishmael Reed

“In Haitian mythology there is the figure Ghede, who in West Africa, is Iku, whose role is to show "each man his devil." He's represented by a figure wearing a top hat and smoking a cigar. That's my gig.”

Men Shows Roles Figures Devil West Mythology Smoking Hats Gigs Cigar West Africa Haitian Top Hats

Author:Ishmael Reed

“I don't know why people always compare me [ with Amiri Baraka] I was never part of the Black Arts Repertory Theater or the Black Arts Movement; people who claim that I was are wrong. I was downtown. I was living in Chelsea when they were operating in Harlem.”

People Knows Art Black Movement Claims Theater Compare Downtown Harlem Chelsea Black Art

Author:Ishmael Reed

“I was roommates with 2 of the guys who were influential in forming the Black Arts philosophy. I called them "goons," and [Amiri] Baraka took offense at that. But if you read his autobiography, the night we went up there for a fundraiser, he talks about how he wished that some violence would happen to us. How do you like Baraka as a gracious host?”

Ifs Art Philosophy Happens Night Guy Black Violence Host Offense Autobiography Influential Gracious Roommate Fundraiser Goons Black Art

Author:Ishmael Reed

“Howard University holds something called "Heart's Day," an all day ceremony in which a writer is honored. I was the recipient of this honor. It's a wonderful ceremony that Eleanor Traylor chair of English at Howard University organizes for writers. Writers from around the country came to pay tribute to my work. It was very flattering.”

Heart Country Pay Wonderful Honor University Chairs Working It Organize Honored Ceremony Tribute Flattering Eleanor

Author:Ishmael Reed

“The cultural wars of the sixties are over. I've reconciled with those who were my critics and opponents years ago. I was at odds with some those who were Black nationalists. Yet when feminists attempted to end my career and leave me as literary road kill, it was the Black nationalists who came to my rescue.”

Years War Ends Black Careers Years Ago Critics Feminist Opponents Rescue Odds Sixty Leaving Me

Author:Ishmael Reed

Quote by Ishmael Reed

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