So its June and guess what that means? IT'S PRIDE MONTH and although its so many
permanent figures that have brought light..a positive light to our community
that its so much to cover. So I have decided to highlight the one that means the
most to me. His literary work not only has made The New York Times best sellers
list 10 consecutive times, he also accomplish many first in his life. He was one
of the first African-American students at Forest Heights Junior High and Hall
High School in Little Rock which he was born and raised. He also became the
first black male cheerleader as well as the first black yearbook editor while
attending the University of Arkansas where later in his literary career he went
back to teach African American Literature and Creative Writing. He had homes
in Houston, Atlanta, and Fayetteville, Arkansas. After graduation, he became a computer salesman with IBM, AT&T, and Hewlett-Packard for 13 years living in Dallas, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. Im speaking of the extraordinary E Lynn Harris. Born Everette Lynn Jeter in Flint Michigan he took on the last name Harris after his mother got married. At 3 his family moved to Little Rock Arkansas and at the age of 13 his mother left her husband after Harris endured years of abuse from him. Even through years of abuse and even a suicide attempt he then quit he job working for IBM to pursue his passion of writing.
He ultimately published his own book Invisible Life and starting selling them out of his trunk. His genre of literature was of unprecedented nature because his books were based of the lives and down low (men who secretly sleep with other men but are typically married or dating a female). With it being such a taboo subject within the African American culture Harris basically "brought it out of the closet" so to speak. Although he focused on down low men surprisingly majority of his fans were woman, but as he stated in one of his last interviews he supported a lot of LBGT community events and a lot of his book signings were at Pride events around the U.S. Invisible Life and What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted were 2 of his most personal books Invisible Life focused on his struggle with his sexuality within his college and What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted was a memoir of his life from the beginning where he talks about the abuse he endured from his father as well as his attempt at suicide. Despite all his support there were an equal amount of dislike for the way Harris portrayed gay males and exposing those who were down low. It hurt him a lot which is why he was resistant on becoming a gay rights advocate. In a 2003 interview with the Detroit Press he explained "It's such a small part of who I am. It's what I do when I'm with my partner that puts this label on me. Most of my friends are straight. I tend to have a regular life, if you will."
To me he is the ultimate trendsetter, taking his life and being so transparent. How he kept writing a little bit of his truth in each book in spite of his nay sayers and non supporters. He felt as if not only was he writing his story, but the stories of those who are in the exact situation. He wrote with no apologies. As of 5 days ago Harris would have been celebrating his 60th birthday, and July 23 will be 6 years since he has physically left this earth. However, there are an estimated 4 million copies of his book worldwide which has made him one of the nation's most popular writers. I end by leaving this clip of his respected friends and peers sharing their best and closet memories of the beloved E Lynn Harris
“Luck runs out but blessings never do!”
http://videos.simonandschuster.com/A-Loving-Tribute-to-E-Lynn-Harris/36627042001
Peace and Blessings
Swagg P
"Buzzworthy Cravings, Creatively Satisfied!"
No comments:
Post a Comment