farewell, friend

At first it was just a rumor, but I now have confirmation that Brownstone Books will be closing its doors.  This is sad news, indeed—Crystal, the dynamic owner, has been a friend to so many authors, illustrators, book lovers, and members of the community.  I had events for both of my books at Brownstone, and know that many other writers felt just as welcome and supported.  Is Brownstone the last black-owned bookstore in Brooklyn?  Anyone know?  We lost DARE Books a while back…Nkiru, too.  I can remember the first time I visited a black bookstore—I think it was Third World Books in Toronto (also gone).  After spending all my life as the only black student in my classes, I finally audited a Black Literature course at York University and one of our first assignments was to locate all the titles on a long list of books by black authors.  Unfortunately, most of the books were housed in the Toronto Reference Library because they were out of print, non-circulating…and so I turned to Third World and found some old, dusty first editions there.  And tried (unsuccessfully) to talk feminism with the crotchety old owner.  He was the reason I kept going back; in a world that refuses to acknowledge your presence, black bookstores are a sanctuary for many of us who simply aren’t welcome anywhere else…

Thank you, Crystal, for opening your doors to us and for serving the community so faithfully.