Ishmael Reed

Interviewed by Dyna Crease		An Interview of Ishmael Reed Ishmael Reed

	Ishmael Reed, a recipient of John D. & Catherine T. Mac Arthur Fellowship Award, established himself as an original novelist and poet 20 years ago. He has demonstrated his creative pursuits as a songwriter, a playwright, and a television producer. His list of accomplishments does not stop there. In his many years as a writer and artist, the "Genius Award" is another of many honors he has received. I interviewed him at UC Berkeley. Gibbs: Mr. Reed, how does it feel to be a genius? Ishmael Reed: [He laughed.] Surprisingly, in high school, I received low IQ scores. It didn't discourage me. *Gibbs*: Would you explain the John D. and Catherine T Mac Arthur Award and how you were selected? Ishmael Reed: The foundation has genius scouts throughout the United States, looking for candidates. My reason for nomination is because of my heavy literary work. I work with multi-ethnic writers to get them published, I write novels and plays, and I have my poems set to music, libretto. The Mac Arthur Fellowship awards many extraordinary people. Previously, a rancher received it. The foundation considers many candidates in many fields of work, but for me, it was because of my literary work. *Gibbs:* How does receiving this award assist you in completing your plays and writing novels? Ishmael Reed: Currently, I am a shadow-producer for two plays--one on the East Coast and a second in San Francisco. Receiving this money will help me financially to produce my plays. It will allow me to also hire black and white actors, giving black actors an opportunity to demonstrate their acting skills in roles that are not the usual stereotypical roles for black males. The funds given to me will allow me to keep my plays, my materials, from becoming diluted. Often times black plays or movies appeal to mainstream crowds, encouraging the material to portray unrealistic characterizations of the people. A white settler's mentality is still a dictating factor in inspiring stereotypes of black men, the black community, and other ethnic communities. Receiving this award will help me produce a integral play, with real characters representing a full range of human life. *Gibbs:* Upon receiving your award, you made a comment that you would keep it in Oakland. What is meant by keeping it in Oakland? Ishmael Reed: My definition of it refers to artistic efforts. I plan to keep production of artistic efforts right here in Oakland. I am supportive of Community Theater. *Gibbs:* Mr. Reed, does your statement also reflect the notion of redistributing money within our community? What are your feelings about blacks recycling their money back into the black community instead of spending it elsewhere? Ishmael Reed: Redistribution should be apart of our spending process. A lot can be gained if suburban blacks and college campuses become involved with all urban community related issues and move back into the community. The city of Oakland and Cal Arts of UC Berkeley went outside the community to purchase the services of out-of-state artists. Here in Oakland, there is an abundant supply of skilled artists and writers; one could say that Oakland is the literary capital of California. Many published authors and artists live in the Bay Area and right here in the East Bay--why go outside the community? There is something fundamentally wrong with the principle of not giving back to our communities. It is too much in practice to have people flood into Oakland, make their monies here in Oak-land, and then leave Oakland to spend it in the suburbs. Furthermore, blacks should vote more, and I would like to see more unity between blacks and Hispanics; we should have more community coalitions that focus our efforts and attentions--we cannot fight everyone. It's not practical. *Gibbs:* Last year blacks spent over a half trillion dollars [Brimmer Associates] primarily outside the black community, wouldn't local economics be a practical start to help redistribute money into the black and minority communities? Ishmael Reed: I think more voting and more community efforts in unifying other minority groups should happen. Some say that political power translates into economic power. It is very hard for blacks and Hispanics to get money from lending institutions. It is hard for ethnic people to open businesses; we would have to use our homes for equity because our assets are limited. For blacks, our assets were stolen. While white Americans were engaging in Affirmative Action for the past 200 years, land and monies were being stolen not only from blacks, but from other groups as well. I read a report that said blacks and Hispanics making the same income as whites are less likely to have a banking institution honor their mortgage loan applications. Racism is alive and strong in many lending institutions; so economic capital for blacks and other minority groups will be hard to obtain. You can't build businesses without capital. I am old fashion, I believe in old fashion racism; some say it is no longer about skin color, but rather about sexism or sexual orientation. I believe that old fashion black-white racism is still active. There are impediments in place that hinder African Americans from capital gain. This is not an excuse; blacks have a million businesses. Our problem is that we do not have a communications outfit, network, to announce our presence to other blacks. We need a voice to counteract the propaganda that has plagued our community since Reagan was in office. *I think the Internet will do a good job of bringing exposure and positive information about us to our community.* *Gibbs:* On a large scale, how important is this concept of putting money back into the community to you? Ishmael Reed: It is very important. I spend my money in the black community. I think we need a political system where politicians can be held responsible by their constituents. Urban and Suburban communities should have the same privileges. I am not a politician, I do not know why black communities along with other [minority] communities get shafted. For example, look at the West Oakland Cypress Freeway. I do not know how the people of Oakland stood by and let that happen. I do not know how the politicians stood by and let it happen. It was wrong-headed. *Gibbs:* Are you familiar with philanthropic foundations and how they work? Ishmael Reed: I do not know of many. I know that there are nontraditional ways of raising capital. In some cultures, members put forth money to help raise and build businesses in their communities. Sponsorship can be a nontraditional source. In some West Indies and African cultures, they still have sources like sponsorship intact. Africans here in America have been completely demoralized. We do not have a sponsorship system like those in West Indies in place. We should. If 12 African Americans monthly put up some money to help assist new businesses for the community, that means that every year 12 new businesses would be opened. We should model off other cultures. *Gibbs:* As a philanthropic foundation, how can the Gibbs Community Foundation, placing emphasis on the lack of social philanthropic foundational infrastructures in our community, ensure that our message reaches the community? Ishmael Reed: Philanthropic foundations could work like community associations or sponsorships in other cultures.... I also support the Home Alert Program. I think Home Alert issues can galvanized the African American community; everyone is concerned about crime and our young people's future. The Home Alert Program brings people together. *Gibbs:* Thank you Mr. Reed for this insightful interview.[] Interviewed 2.10.01 by Dyna Crease.