So this interesting documentary was brought to my attention. Critics were having a field day downplaying  urban literature. I find it funny that African Americans had such strong opinions about this. It's often been said that black people don't read PERIOD and the minute we do find something that we enjoy and entertains (which is the purpose for reading fiction) we have to be criticized because it's not what some people feel we should be reading. West is and always has been, an educated fool. He looks down his nose at his own race so easily. Then you have Terry McMillian...yes, she's a good author but I've read many books of her's and there was no important life lesson to be found in them. I read a book to be entertained, the same as I do when I go to the movies. I read urban fiction, as well as write it, but I may  turn around and read a James Patterson book tomorrow; why do I have to be "Dumbing myself down" as West said, because I like to read different genere's of books? I thought this whole documentary was so sad, especially because some of the authors with such strong opinions, write the exact kind of "literature" that they're quick to criticize. I've read a few of Zane's books- the content in her books is no different than in some other urban books I've read lately.
I wish the black community would stop being so judgmental against each other. I, as well as many people I'm sure, read what interests me. Could it be that those who have such a negative opinion about urban authors, simply aren't interesting?  Why not just be happy that our people are reading- PERIOD? No other race feels the need to insult each other as much as we do. It's truly sad but regardless of what the naysayers have to say in this documentary, what genre of books I choose to read has nothing to do with my level of intelligence.
You all need to go have several seats and stop with the hate...PLEASE STOP!