The article reflects on the scarcity of books by Black women in a small bookstore, focusing on Nikki Giovanni's 'Black Judgement,' a pivotal work published in 1968. The author shares their experience of discovering this rare chapbook, highlighting the obliviousness of the store owner and the undervaluation of Giovanni's contributions to literature. Giovanni, who passed away at eighty-one, initially wrote 'Black Judgement' with a belief that it might be her only work, showcasing the personal significance of her writing. The author muses on the complexities of recognizing and valuing literary legacies, particularly those that challenge dominant narratives.
This is one miracle of paying close attention, even if that close attention is brought on by bewilderment—the miracle of, very literally, not knowing what you are looking for until you find it.
I admire writers who believe they will write an infinite number of books, but I don't relate to them.
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