"Black" Enough?
- By Stephanie Morris
- Published July 7, 2009
Stephanie Morris
Hi Everyone!
I am Stephanie Morris, author of contemporary African American and Interracial/Multicultural sensual romance (borderline erotica). I love to write according to my moods but you will always get a story that combines a sensual energy with a captivating storyline.
A native Texan, I was born in Dallas and currently live in Fort Worth. I graduated of Angelo State University, from which I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration.
I currently have several books released of which all have mad publisher’s bestseller's lists. Some of the awards that I have received include the ARe Bestseller List for “Better Late Than Never”, “Cutting To The Chase”, “Laws of Attraction”, “Beyond Seduction” and “Staking His Claim” as well as Recommended Read Awards from Coffee Time Romance Reviews, Dark Diva Reviews and Night Owl Romance Reviews.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, dancing, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. In my opinion, there is nothing like curling up with a good book that you can’t put down, and I am addicted to writing them.
Feel free to stop by and visit me at
I know you read the title of this blog and had to click on, for whatever your reason may be. Tracy's blog about "hate" mail made feel the need to sound off about another issue. I know like a few others I took offense to this "bored" black man's rant but it brought up another topic that I posted on a interracial board a week or so ago. The question was as follows:
I would like to post a question to readers of I/R books. I was told that readers don't like multiracial leads in a book. Is this true. Are you less likely to read a book because the female is Black/Native American, or Black/Hispanic, or even Black/Japanese? If so why? I ask because I am an author and like to delve across multicultural and racial lines. I just want to know if people really aren't interested in this type of character or if I was misinformed.
Now when I posted this question I had no idea what kind of response I would receive. I just hoped for an openminded one. Afterall it is a interracial board. Well I have to I was shocked by quite a few of the responses. Why you ask? Well because it turns out the assumption stated in my question wasn't an assumption, for the most part. A few of the responders stated they wouldn't read the book if the lead wasn't black. Some said they might but would be more likely to pick it up if the lead was "fully black". A few readers stated they didn't care and would actually love to seem more of these types of characters (Out of about 25 response only 4-6 people said this last one).
The bottom line is I was shocked! The first thing to came to mind was the fact that this was a interracial board. I would have thought that a mixed or multicultural character would be openly accepted. I mean if you date interracially there is a chance that your child will be mixed. Or did this rule change when I wasn't looking?
I found it interesting to see a few readers who stated they want character's they can relate to or who looked like them. What about the character's who look like the children that may come of an interracial relationship? Is it not okay for character's to look like them?
I guess overall all I am confused by what one reader (who was opened to reading a mutliracial character) labeled as "reverse racism" because as a interracial author and dater. I read books with leads from all racial backgrounds. Some of them not "black" at all. When I pick up a book, I pick it up because it has a good story line. Even now I read books that don't neccesarily have black leads. I even read books where both characters are black. I have written a few books with all black characters that are before publishers as I type. I never pick up a book because the character looks like me, because frankly most of them don't. I read a book because it looks like it has a good plot/storyline and/or because I like the author's past work.
Anyway I just had to come and blog about this because it shocked me and frankly bothered me a little. Seeing Tracy's blog today brought the subject I posted a few weeks ago up in my mind. So I needed to rant a little. I look forward to reading the responses to this blog. You guys always leave great feedback.
I would like to post a question to readers of I/R books. I was told that readers don't like multiracial leads in a book. Is this true. Are you less likely to read a book because the female is Black/Native American, or Black/Hispanic, or even Black/Japanese? If so why? I ask because I am an author and like to delve across multicultural and racial lines. I just want to know if people really aren't interested in this type of character or if I was misinformed.
Now when I posted this question I had no idea what kind of response I would receive. I just hoped for an openminded one. Afterall it is a interracial board. Well I have to I was shocked by quite a few of the responses. Why you ask? Well because it turns out the assumption stated in my question wasn't an assumption, for the most part. A few of the responders stated they wouldn't read the book if the lead wasn't black. Some said they might but would be more likely to pick it up if the lead was "fully black". A few readers stated they didn't care and would actually love to seem more of these types of characters (Out of about 25 response only 4-6 people said this last one).
The bottom line is I was shocked! The first thing to came to mind was the fact that this was a interracial board. I would have thought that a mixed or multicultural character would be openly accepted. I mean if you date interracially there is a chance that your child will be mixed. Or did this rule change when I wasn't looking?
I found it interesting to see a few readers who stated they want character's they can relate to or who looked like them. What about the character's who look like the children that may come of an interracial relationship? Is it not okay for character's to look like them?
I guess overall all I am confused by what one reader (who was opened to reading a mutliracial character) labeled as "reverse racism" because as a interracial author and dater. I read books with leads from all racial backgrounds. Some of them not "black" at all. When I pick up a book, I pick it up because it has a good story line. Even now I read books that don't neccesarily have black leads. I even read books where both characters are black. I have written a few books with all black characters that are before publishers as I type. I never pick up a book because the character looks like me, because frankly most of them don't. I read a book because it looks like it has a good plot/storyline and/or because I like the author's past work.
Anyway I just had to come and blog about this because it shocked me and frankly bothered me a little. Seeing Tracy's blog today brought the subject I posted a few weeks ago up in my mind. So I needed to rant a little. I look forward to reading the responses to this blog. You guys always leave great feedback.
Spread The Word
14 Responses to ""Black" Enough?" 
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said this on 08 Jul 2009 11:54:22 AM CST
If you're reading I/R erotica to be turned on, shouldn't you be thinking about the type of person that turns you on? Shouldn't matter if they're biracial or not.
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said this on 08 Jul 2009 12:28:58 PM CST
The “mixed child” rule changed the second we took our eyes off of it. Now it’s a roll of the dice whether your kid looks like Shemar Moore or LeVar Burton…which goes to show you, can never be too careful.
Initially, I was surprised to hear the opinions you mentioned however I’d be curious to know the real justification the responders who said they wouldn't read the book if the lead wasn't black or “fully Black” have for their opinion. It’s intellectually disingenuous to fall back on “We want characters we can relate to or who looked like us” because in some ways that’s a given. My theory is when reading the old Harlequin romance novels, Black Women had to be a Houdini-like escapist to mentally transform “Fabio” into “Desmond”. And as the number of Black authors writing “Fully Black” romance novels increased, it was nothing short of liberation for these Women. So when I look at it from that point of view, I can understand why they purchase the way they do. But still! If you’re open to interracial dating why wouldn’t you want to read about an interracial couple? That doesn’t make sense. At the end of the day, a good story is a good story. Period. |
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said this on 08 Jul 2009 8:57:04 PM CST
OMG! I'm on the floor.
"Now it’s a roll of the dice whether your kid looks like Shemar Moore or LeVar Burton…which goes to show you, can never be too careful." Classic Tracy! Classic! In some ways I think it boils down to African American women not being considered attractive in the past for whatever reason. In others I think it has to do with the way some bi-racial character's are described. Lastly I think it has to do with close-mindedness. For all I know it could be all three. I think my mom says it best though. Think before you speak and have a logical and rational reason for your choice before you make it. I'm still astounded by the whole thing but I'm moving forward. I have submitted the first book of the series. I will be sure to announce the progress of it. |
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said this on 10 Jul 2009 9:55:19 PM CST
Your Mom is right. We should think before we speak. That should be the golden rule.
You're probably right about bi-racial character's are described but still. It’s fiction. But if you look at Sandra Kitt’s leads, they’ve been normal everyday people and some readers (a good bit) nailed her to the cross for it. I remember reading reviews for “Color of Love” and for the most part people enjoyed it however there were folks who were downright mad. Other good examples of authors who have moved away from the “bi-racial” looking characters are Kimberley Kaye Terry and Robyn Amos. Both of them regularly use “real” Black females with White males and people still get upset. You can’t win!! LOL! |
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said this on 08 Jul 2009 1:17:01 PM CST
Honestly, I'm surprised and it's a double surprise! One surprise is that some people gathered on IR board wouldn’t like to read about mixed-Black Female LOL. Where are their open-minds and hearts?
The worst surprise is that some of those board users/IR readers are probably Black people trying to reach outside their own race but are still holding themselves back. Of course, the strengths of character and temperament of a "fully" Black woman is something that is desired, by myself but in a long run might be predictable especially to the people of her own kind. Just as much as Polish women are desired and cherished by me but still they are predictable, that's why I desire some spices in my relations with the people I meet on my way through life. I can get to know new points of view and expand my horizons, be more open-minded, more and more every single day. That's why even reading IR stories written by all you amazing authors, especially if it's about a Black Woman who has some extended ethnic heritage. That shows additional spheres of her character and temperament most of the people would never find out in their real lives. Best example, "Misjudged" where a girl born and raised in Poland from both African parents crossed paths with me... |
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said this on 10 Jul 2009 6:11:25 PM CST
At first I thought that you meant the readers were not open to reading an interracial story between a white man and black woman and that really would have been baffling as they are on an interracial board. Now that I think I get what you mean (that they would prefer a wm/bw couple to a white man/half black woman couple) I think it's easier to side with the women saying that.
First off, I'm glad that there is an increasing market for interracial fiction and glad that more authors are filling that need instead of just the Zanes and Eric Jerome Dickey style authors or the Danielle Steels that only offer same race romances really. However, I guess I see what those women are saying in that they are finally getting the type of relationship they are in (white man/black woman, presumably) on the page but now aren't getting a lead character that looks like them exactly. The old light skin vs. dark skin debate may be to blame as well. This isn't my opinion, but a few dark skinned women have expressed to me that they are tired of living in the shadow of their more "exotic" multiracial counterparts, and that it would be a little more conventional to see a multiracial woman with a white man, instead of the ultimate taboo, a fully African woman with him. And I understand what they mean. Ultimately, both should be included in fiction and neither should be more controversial than the other, but I don't think it can be that surprising when one book maybe sells a little better than the other. There are just a lot more black women than multiracial women. And it's also not as "surprising" to see a woman that is half black/half white with a white man in real life as maybe a dark skinned woman/white man, the taboo isn't as strong so there isn't really a need to feel as uplifted by the character's on the page transcending that as you might with a fully African American or African character. The transference factor won't be as strong with a lighter skinned woman. |
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said this on 11 Jul 2009 6:40:07 PM CST
I have to say Brody, those dark skinned women feeling that the multiracial is more exotic is kind of funny to me. I totally agree with what you're saying though. Personally I prefer the darker skin to the multiracial light skinned women. That's not saying I don't think multiracial women aren't attractive or sexy, but I love my Dark skinned ladies. Nothing on earth is sexier to me. I can put it this way... Everyone thinks Beyonce is gorgeous... and she is. But I prefer Kelly Rowland. I think she is 10 times sexier and more attractive
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said this on 12 Jul 2009 10:46:16 AM CST
You brought up a good point. I remember that whole "you're too light skinned" or "you're too dark skinned" mess. I have to admit this is why "The Blacker the Berry" by Wallace Thurman is one of my favorite all times reads.
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said this on 12 Jul 2009 8:03:00 PM CST
I would read a book with the lead heroine if she was multiracial...Black mixed with any other race..She's still black and beautiful..
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said this on 13 Jul 2009 7:13:00 PM CST
Well it is coming your way Renee! However I figured most of the people on the site would be open to it anyway because Tracy has a few shorts with women who have mixed racial backgrounds. I'll keep you updated on the story that sparked this Blog and let you know when you can buy it for your bookshelf.
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said this on 13 Jul 2009 6:46:21 PM CST
Brody did bring up a good point. I love all I/R but I would love to read a novel where the sista was a dark skinned unapologetic beauty and wallowed in that fact, loved her color and knew she was a beautiful dark chocolate woman.
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said this on 13 Jul 2009 7:15:49 PM CST
Special,
You let me know what author wrote a book with a dark skinned woman who apologized for being to dark. I have a bone to pick with that person. It's a whole different subject from what I blogged about but it feeds into the reason why some women of color are not opened to reading books about the bi-racial women of the world. |
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said this on 10 Aug 2009 10:20:29 PM CST
I will do a more formal blog but I thought everyone should know that the 4 books series that inspired this blog has been picked up by a publisher. More to come soon in an official blog.
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