Explore Black History

1978

A white plastic audio cassette with recordings of two episodes of the Literary Corner radio show. The program number is handwritten on the cassette in graphite.
Side A: "Kenneth Chambers on John A. Williams"
Episode 9 of the Literary Corner: Black Writers of the World radio program. The episode begins with intro music consisting of conga drums playing and a whistling sound. Host Pam Johnson then introduces the guest Dr. Kenneth Chambers and regular analyst Sarah Fabio. Some of the topics discussed in the episode include Williams’ novel The Man Who Cried I Am and works that it has been compared to; comparisons between Williams’ work and those of other Black writers; the reasons Williams and his work are not more well known, including the lack of Black literature courses and solutions to the problem; as well as the prevalence of interracial relationships in Williams' works and the message the panelists believe he would like to convey regarding interracial relationships. Toward the end of the show the panelists discuss some of the problems some African American writers face in publishing their works, namely Sutton Griggs. They also discuss the impact of the Black Arts movement on publishing.
Side B: "Addison Gayle on Black Literary Criticism"
Episode 10 of the Literary Corner: Black Writers of the World radio program. It opens with Addison Gayle reciting an excerpt from one of his works titled "A Blueprint for Black Criticism" as instrumental music plays in the background. Host Pam Johnson then introduces the guest, Addison Gayle, as well as two of the show's regular analysts, Edris Makward and Sarah Fabio. Some of the topics addressed in the episode include freedoms of creative writers; whether Addison Gayle thinks about the ideology he would like to put into his work; Gayle’s views a Black aesthetic or lack thereof; who in Gayle's opinion are the most promising young Black writers of the day, to which he replies with names such as Brenda Wilkinson and Sonia [Sanchez]; as well as whether it is legitimate for Black writers to increase the Black audience. The episode concludes with Pam Johnson summarizing discussion as the show’s theme song plays in the background.

Cassette tape with two episodes of the Literary Corner radio program

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

The Literary Corner: Black Writers of the World

Time-based Media - Audio

BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Contributed in memory of Professor Sarah Webster Fabio (1928-1979), poet, educator, Black Arts Movement icon, and one of the Literary Corner's analysts.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2010.17.1.5a

audio cassettes

© Brooks B. Robinson
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

plastic and tape

H x W: 2 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 5/8 in. (7 × 10.8 × 1.6 cm)
Duration (side a): 15 min., 6 sec.
Duration (side b): 15 min., 5 sec.

Title • The Literary Corner: Kenneth Chambers on John A. Williams (side a) / Addison Gayle on Black Literary Criticism (side b)

nmaahc_2010.17.1.5a

NMAAHC

THE LITERARY CORNER: KENNETH CHAMBERS ON JOHN A. WILLIAMS (SIDE A) / ADDISON GAYLE ON BLACK LITERARY CRITICISM (SIDE B)

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

Griggs, Sutton • Fabio, Sarah • Chambers, Kenneth • Robinson, Brooks B. • Makward, Edris • Gayle, Addison • Cham, Robert • Williams, John A. • Johnson, Pam

United States • North and Central America • Wisconsin

Literature • BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976) • Poetry • Radio • Mass media

State • Wisconsin • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Sound recordings

Limited Use