25 Writers Shaping My World

Originally Posted: 3/23/2009

Sojourner and Raw Dawg Buffalo tagged me with a unique meme that requires me to list 25 writers who have influenced me. Below are my 25:

1. Na'im Akbar
   
2. Scott Alexander
   
3. Robert G. Allen
   
4. Derrick Bell
   
5. Octavia Butler
   
6. Agatha Christie
   
7. Jim Clingman
   
8. Ralph Ellison
   
9. Melvin Gravely II
   
10. John Grisham
    
11. Arthur Haley
    
12. Robert Heinlein
    
13. Napoleon Hill
    
14. Kyra Hicks
    
15. Robert Kiyosaki
    
16. Louis L'Amour
    
17. Tim Lahaye
    
18. Robert Ludlum
    
19. Og Mandino
    
20. Walter Mosely
    
21. Larry Niven
    
22. Barack Obama
    
23. Robert J. Ringer
    
24. Ralph Wiley
    
25. Richard Wright

I'm not sure that villagers will even know half of these authors. Feel free to ask me about any of them. I've enjoyed books from these authors throughout the course of my life.

A few of my AfroSpear colleagues have talked about starting a book club. However, we haven't moved very far with that idea. Maybe this meme will get us going.

The rules say that I'm supposed to tag 25 others. I am interested to see the 25 influential authors listed by La Shawn Barber, Necole Bitchie, Julius Clark, Mike Collins, Cheryl Contee, Kai Dupe, Milt Haynes, Karen, Danielle Lee, Los Angelista, Ajuan Mance, Marenda, Kevin Myles, Tariq Nelson, Keith Owens, Daryl Plummer, Monica Roberts, Cliff Samuel, Pam Spaulding, Baratunde Thurston, Urban Scientist, Jose Vilson, Shawn Williams, Oliver Willis and Womanist Musings.

The act of creating the list of influential authors makes me want to read more over the coming days and weeks. I'm currently reading 'Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You With the Bill)' by David Cay Johnston. What are you reading now?

I Love Your Blog Award

There are many villagers that quietly join us to enjoy the posts and comments without sharing their village voice. Our blog never seems to get much in the way of COMMENTS in comparison to our daily hits. I appreciate the stealth villagers as much as those that are move 'vocal'.

One of my stealth villagers is Tey, a busy working Filipina mom living in Toronto. Tey publishes 'My Daily Thoughts'. Tey presented us with the 'I Love Your Blog Award' "... for his informative posts about Black people (just love it)."

I appreciated the love last year when she gave our blog the award. I figure it was time to share some love with other blogs that deserve it. The Electronic Village presents the 'I Love Your Blog Award' to five others that we read and enjoy often. They are more than welcome to pass along the award to other blogs which they love to read as well and so on.

1. RaceWire - This blog comes strong and correct with information about both race and politics.
2. TransGriot - Monica Roberts is a powerful voice for transgender issues in person and through the afrosphere. I've learned that all of us have concerns about politics and life choices. Monica is a goals-oriented sista with great insights shared on her blog.
3. Black Tennis Pro's - Shelia provides a constant flow about African American tennis players from the amateur ranks up through world's #1 Serena Williams. I haven't played tennis for many moons, however I do enjoy my stealth visits to this blog.
4. Sojourner's Place - Sojourner just competed a complete overhaul of her blog template. It is unique and it is perfectly suited for her flow. SjP is one of my favorite blogs in the universe!
5. BDPA Detroit TAC - Cliff Samuels publishes this technology-based blog. Cliff is a colleague and rarely do technology blogs catch a break when it comes to blog awards ... so I hope some villagers will visit Cliff and show him some love!

Congratulations to all of you and thanks for writing such great blogs. Villagers, who are the blogs and bloggers that YOU love?

New AfroSpear Member: TransGriot

Villagers, please welcome Monica Roberts, owner/operator of TransGriot as the newest member of The AfroSpear! Monica began blogging on TransGriot in January 2006. She wrote,

---

"I believe the Afrospear's purpose is to not only inform our people, but to correct disinformation about African Americans and find common ground in which we can begin to solve the problems that retard our progress as a people. As a African American progressive blogger who is transgender as well, I have another perspective to bring to the table of issues that affect our African American family. I lecture and do seminars about transgender issues as well in addition to on TransGriot make the connections between our history and current events. I also want to show through my blog that African American transpeople like myself have much to offer our community and are as concerned about uplifting the race.as anyone else. I'd consider it a great honor to become part of this AfroSpear."

---

TransGriot is BBR #117. Monica's stated goal is to break into the BBR Top 100 in the next few months. I think that she will meet her goal based on the power of her posting. I encourage all villagers to check her out and welcome her to The AfroSpear!