Gloria Wade Gayles visits OC

Oberlin College junior Theodore Jennings' biography is listed right after Langston Hughes in Gloria Wade Gayles' latest anthology, Father's Songs. Jennings' essay, entitled Estranged, gave a brief glimpse into his struggle with his father and the difficulties he faced when dealing with his religious beliefs.

Along with Jennings, writers in this anthology include Ntozake Shange, Gwendolyn Brooks, Malcolm X and John Edgar Wideman. Father's Songs is a collection of essays and short stories that deal primarily with the real relationships between African-American men and women and their fathers.

Some writers search for their fathers in painful memories that haunt them from childhood through adolescence and into their own parenting experience. Others celebrate their fathers' lives and the gifts their fathers gave them and their children.

In an interview with Jennings he revealed feelings about his essay and the process of becoming his father's son.

Review: How did you hear about Gayles' Anthology?

TJ: My freshman year, Ms. Gayles came to Oberlin to speak in the Afrikan Heritage House about her anthology, called My Soul is a Witness. I sat in the audience and while I engaged in the afterthoughts of the lecture, there seemed to be a spiritual experience.

Ms. Gayles invited me openly in front of the audience to write for her forthcoming anthology. It was almost as if she had come to Oberlin to introduce her new book but instead realized that she'd come to ask me to write for her book.

Review: Please talk a bit about your contribution to Fathers' Songs.

TJ: My piece is entitled Estranged. It was really hard to write because it was written from the spirit. Now as I read it over and over I realize that the story has several different meanings, but the main one being the central conflict that I had with my dad as an adolescent.

We have legitimate spiritual differences and these differences changed our world views. My dad and I had differences on our views not only about religion, but also about sexuality. Our differences in opinions really put a strain on our relationship.

Review: How did you feel when you found out that Beacon Press had accepted your piece?

TJ: Wow, I had mixed feelings. On one hand I was excited but on the other hand I was a little apprehensive because now I would be giving the world a very personal part of my life. It was in a sense a free invitation to let the world see the other side of me. It took a lot of courage and soul searching to write this piece.

Finally when Beacon Press sent me the contract it was like a final bridge. I just signed it and sent it back thinking, 'this is what I have to do.'

Review: How was your father's reception to Estranged ?

TJ: My dad's theology has changed. He had to wake up and see me in a different light. I had to write this piece for myself. My dad had a lot of discourse after I showed him the book and he had a few problems with the fact that I put his business out there. And we had issues about that, but on another note, I think that my dad is seriously proud of me.

Review: What's next in term of your process and your writing?

TJ: I feel that this process has been difficult, but spiritually rewarding. It has been another way to challenge my limits and given me a space to grow. This process is definitely not over. Expect there to be an afterthought.

Gloria Wade-Gayles is professor of English and women's studies at Spelman College and author of Rooted Against the Wind, Pushed Back to Strength, and No Crystal Stair. She is editor of My Soul is Witness.

Gayles will be speaking on Father's Songs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Afrikan Heritage House and again on Saturday at 2 p.m. on her book of personel essays, Rooted Against the Wind.