The Laundress strikes again.

I have a good friend who goes by the name of "The Laundress." The Laundress is a very skilled and interesting person, and she also possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of graphic novels, manga, and anime. This is very useful to me, as I know very little about all those things (and I'm not going to learn: really very little interest, and not enough time). But when the Laundress tells me to read a graphic novel, I listen. She has never steered me wrong.

So when she suggested Mat Johnson's Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery, I listened. And I'm so glad I did. This one is fiction, but the author's inspiration came from the story of Walter White, a former head of the NAACP, who was so light-skinned that he could "pass" for white and often attended lynchings in the deep south to investigate them and tell the story.

I mean, lynchings. I do not understand how anyone thought lynchings were a good idea.*

So this is a graphic novel set in the early twentieth century, following the adventures of "Zane Pinchback," the "incognegro" who attended lynchings and wrote about them for newspapers. The story's not important but the idea is. This is one of the few books I've read this summer that I'd say you absolutely, positively, have to read. Don't worry--the Laundress won't steer you wrong either. (A word to the wise; parts of the graphic novel are truly graphic, language and violence wise. That's what happens when you tell a story about a violent and ugly history.)

*Whenever I think about race relations in America, I always picture this picture: people yelling at Elizabeth Eckford because she wanted to attend school. Look at her wearing her crisp blouse and 1950s glasses. How could anyone yell at such a girl?

Comments

[Lesbrarian]

Okey-dokey. I've ordered it for the library.

[The Laundress]

Well, thank you for many kindnesses, CR!

and I am glad you liked this graphic novel, it has gathered a lot of buzz and has a great title. Actually, I liked the author's preface more than the book (he has a strange tale of being a light-skinned black kid, good ol' mom bought him a dashiki to help and things went from bad to worse -- plus he became a dad to twins, one dark and one light). Well, everyone, don't miss the preface if you pick up the book...everything in it is about perceptions vs. reality and identity. Lots of food for thought. (though, as a graphic novel, I would give it a solid 3.5 stars, B grade).

Hope you and your readers will continue to give graphic novels a read!
tl

[The Laundress]

p.s. I have seen that photo many times but never knew it was of a woman named Elizabeth Eckford, thank you for giving her name --and you are right, she looks lovely and beyond reproach.

[The Laundress]

shameful pest, but pps -- great link from your link to a Vanity Fair article on Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan, the screaming girl in the background, and how they came together:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/09/littlerock200709

[Citizen Reader]

Lesbrarian!
Awesome. Let me know how you like it, if you get it read, okay? I don't know how much it'll circulate but I think your library collection will be richer for having it there.

Laundress!!
Thank you for mentioning the preface; a fascinating story in its own right. And after I read your second post, I was going to comment right away and mention the Vanity Fair article--wasn't it fascinating? I love Elizabeth Eckford. I only remember her name because she strikes me as one of the quiet, unsung heroes of the twentieth century, who doesn't get nearly enough credit for her quiet survival. I also loved Melba Pattillo Beals's book about the experience, Warriors Don't Cry.