Everything But the Burden: Greg Tate, John Henryism, and the Cost of Solidarity
Praise be to Akhenaten, to Cleopatra, to Ra, Sun Ra, Iris, Osiris and all the ancestors and ancestresses: Flyboy in the Buttermilk, by the late, great Greg Tate—that posthumous Pulitzer Prize-winning polymorphous polymath, the heppest cat to ever done bee
<Everything But the Burden: Greg Tate, John Henryism, and the Cost of Solidarity>
The late, great Greg Tate, a Pulitzer Prize-winning polymath and influencer in American arts and letters, has returned to print 25 years after his posthumous debut. Subtitled "Essays on Contemporary America", this collection of 40 articles remains as relevant today as it was when first published.
Tate, along with fellow critic bell hooks, reshaped cultural criticism with his distinctive, rhythmic approach, infusing it with the spirit of Black folks and the pulse of the times. His writing style was unmatched, with the ability to praise, critique, and sometimes harshly evaluate—sometimes even contradicting himself.
Tate's writing was a reflection of his own life experiences and passions, never trying to replicate others’ styles. He was a mentor, guiding others to find their unique voice, yet he never expected them to write like him. This generosity and care for his protégés is evident in the work of many in the cultural sphere, including the writer who interviewed him and another who was mentored by him.
The significance of Tate's work extends beyond mere writing. He tore a new trail in the world of criticism, paving the way for future generations to follow. His legacy is not just in the words he wrote, but in the way he lived and championed Blackness without compromise.
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