The Black and White of It

by Ann Allen Shockley

Short stories about interracial lesbian relationships.

Genres: Short Stories, Lesbian, LGBT, Fiction, Classics, Lesbian Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Shockley is a black feminist theorist, novelist, and librarian. Shockley’s extensive contributions to black literature in general and black queer literature and politics more specifically, have broken ground in the vast wilderness of works that do not exist.

Shockley has written reference books, nonfiction and fiction for newspapers and journals, as well as book reviews, essays, novels, and a collection of short stories. She was born on June 21, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky. She began publishing short stories in 'The Louisville Defender' at age eighteen.

After receiving a B.A. at Fisk University, Shockley went on to pursue an M.A. in Library Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She has worked at Delaware State College, the University of Maryland, and at Fisk University where she works as the curator for African American collections.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Besides, in the long run, what good would it do? Coming out of the closet is more significant to white lesbians. That’s why that woman asked you the question. We black women in our struggle against racism planted the seeds for the white women’s movement. Now, I guess, it’s time for them to do us a favor. Liberate the so-called sex crazy black woman from her own hangups. Making it so that if she’s a lesbian, she won’t be afraid to say or feel deep within her that it is as good as shouting black is beautiful.”

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very few of those short stories depict healthy relationships – maybe two, three at most. But it feels like it might be the point. The writing is not great but easy, the characterizations simplistic but then again it is short stories, except that a couple of them showed that all of them could have been more nuanced. But anyways, this feels like a somewhat important book, especially at the time it was written, for its discussions of interracial lesbian relationships.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm being unfair but I got to the 4th story and the stories did not hold my interest. Did not finish the book.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black and White of It is a rich and nuanced collection of short stories, each providing a believable snapshot of not only lesbian life, but human nature. Love, loss, and everything in between seems to be covered, yet the stories are succinct, the writing style crisp. Though the subject matter varied, the high quality was consistent.

My favourite thing about the collection is how well it deals very well with the theme of race - of respectability politics within the Black community resulting in the invisibility of Black lesbians, of racism within the queer community causing lesbian women of colour being further marginalised in what should be welcome spaces. Despite the collection having been published in the '80s, many of the points Shockley raises remain relevant to this day.

These stories are beautiful individually and, when pieced together, paint an extraordinary picture of female sexuality. It's thought-provoking, entertaining, and every story felt like a treat.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black and White of It — Ann Allen Shockley (12 short stories) 11/1-3, 2016

There is a real variety of stories here, showing a clearly that this author has to a deep understanding of the ways to the heart.

Some are sad; some are trying; some are loving; all are real. Also, the stories are truly complete. Nothing feels left undone or half written. Certainly, there are stories here that make me ache to know what happened to the characters in the aftermath. And you can tell these stories were written years ago…but that’s OK. They still are timeless and that they reflect things still happening today is sad and yet timeless.

I picked this book up gladly after reading Ms. Shockley’s “Loving Her.” (I recommend that book if you have not read it already.) While the stories in this set are not as strong as the full novel in that one, they are still strong.

I’m glad I read this book. I enjoyed the stories very much.

Three stars.

[Beata · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why had she asked? Why must beds be turned into confessionals. Ten years can bleed for a lot of living. For her, there had been others and others like her. How was she to know that she would find her again? Life had to be lived. Moments go on."

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of short stories with an African American lesbian theme, ranging in time period from slavery days to the Civil Rights Movement era and beyond.

[A. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know how many times I've read this book. I love it so much. Simply, elegant writing about sisters loving sisters. Awww...