www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northshore/chi-thirdworld_21sep21,1,1249014.story
chicagotribune.com Black publisher marks 40 years in business By Lolly Bowean Tribune staff reporter September 21, 2007 He's a well-respected and established child psychiatrist, but Dr. Carl C. Bell had never expected to see his books sitting out front on display at major bookstores with more popular authors who target African-American readers. In many ways, just getting his ideas on the mental health of African Americans published was a miracle, Bell said. "That's just how it is: Some people would rather read and publish garbage than scholarship," he said. "Publishers are just not interested; they don't see a market, and they don't care." Even in an era when opportunities seem plentiful for black authors, there is a group of writers who say they are still overlooked. African-American scholars and critical thinkers say it's tough to get books published about serious, non-traditional topics related to the black community. It was with that difficulty in mind that such authors gathered in Chicago recently to toast one of the few publishers willing to take a risk and get their voices out there. South Side-based Third World Press has thrived while staying committed to only publishing work that empowers and uplifts the black community. Last year, the company hit a milestone when it became the first African-American-owned press to place a book on the New York Times Best Seller list. This year's milestone is reaching 40 years in the business. The company is unique because it was founded in the 1960s when black writers had few chances to get their work published and mainstream publishers hadn't taken note of the African-American reading audience. But the company stayed alive and relevant without bowing to popular sentiments or compromising its ideals. Still, even as authors and performers celebrated Third World's 40th anniversary, they couldn't help but lament that so much has remained the same in the publishing world. While there is now a huge audience for urban novels with titles such as "Street Love" and "Get Money Chicks," work produced by scholars and researchers isn't well received. That keeps Third World in a class of its own. "Third World Press has been this forum, this vehicle, this arena in which thoughtful and complex African-American notions can be published for others to see," said Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, a professor and author who writes about politics, public policy, race and gender. "It's been a transformational presence because authors who may have substantive or complicated ideas to discuss don't have to be held hostage by an unforgiving publishing world." Third World was started in a basement apartment by Haki Madhubuti, who desperately wanted to get his and two friends' poems published. Later, it was embraced by literary giant and Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks. Slowly, the operation grew into its own institution. It was a place where authors including Gloria Naylor, Opal Moore, Useni Eugene Perkins and even Bell could get their ideas out without restrictions and stiff filters. "It's remarkable because I don't know how they make it," said Bell, who wrote "The Sanity of Survival," a book about the mental health needs of African Americans that's more than 500 pages long. "You put a book out of that size and already people will run away scared," he said, half-joking. "But Third World put it out there." The company is embraced by many African Americans who see that its journey has mirrored their own. Third World started with an idea, but now is housed in its own building, where a staff of 14 people keep it going. It was kept alive over the years by some writers with wide appeal who decided to have their work published there. That enabled Madhubuti to produce the works of dozens of relatively unknown writers. It helped that the press was supported by other well-known artists such as actors Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Wesley Snipes and Danny Glover. Last year, the company grabbed more mainstream success when it produced "The Covenant with Black America," a collection of essays with an introduction by popular commentator and social justice activist Tavis Smiley. That book was a bestseller for 20 weeks and got people talking about the small publishing house again. "Third World Press is the best example of a company that found a wave, jumped on it and developed it into a success," said Susan McHenry, editorial director of Black Issues Book Review. "Independent publishing is a tough and transient business." "Madhubuti started in Chicago as this kind of rebel publisher," McHenry added. "Now he has mainstream notoriety and an ambitious publishing program that ranges from poetry to fiction, non-fiction, history, important social commentary." When Madhubuti started out, he wanted to put out serious books. Even as mainstream black authors have gained fame by writing about love and romance, he has remained devoted to publishing more focused titles. His company puts out 15 to 20 books a year with titles such as "Don't Cry, Scream," "They Shall Run" and "What is Life?" Even children's books published by the press have strategic purpose. The "Children of Africa" coloring book is to teach children about their African origins and the continent. "The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves" aims to teach tolerance. At the recent celebration events, authors and artists praised Madhubuti for his vision and endurance. Publisher W. Paul Coates said Madhubuti was like a warrior who has fought a war and is still standing. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) said there is no other like him and called Madhubuti his personal inspiration. Author Walter Mosley said Madhubuti was one of the most important black men. For Madhubuti, publishing wasn't a way to get rich or famous, he said, but a way to give a voice to the voiceless, chronicle history and further his life's mission of improving conditions for African Americans. "Anytime a publishing company in America nears a cursory mark of 40 years, that's significant, and it's significant for us because we deal with literacy and cultural literacy," he said. "For the next 40 years, I'll still be around. I hope to celebrate 80 years." --------- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright
