December 16, 2005

Ignoring Authentic African Literature Means Ignoring Africans

By CARLIN ROMANO

If you don't see Africans, hear them, know their names, or read detailed stories about their everyday lives, how can you care about them?

Year in, year out, Bono and Geldof beg us to give more. Year in, year out, we disappoint. Let's venture a sideways explanation: Lack of literary coverage contributes to "compassion fatigue." You can't foolishly dismiss or misunderstand people you've met in world-class fiction. In this case the cause and effect shame us because Africa produces

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