Does Cave Canem implicitly support that segregation by being exclusive to black writers?
Look, the integration plan just hasn’t worked. In fact, this has worked better. There is more integration of black writers than before and that has to do with the visibility of Cave Canem. We have high quality writers because the program is so competitive. We get 150 applicants for 20 spots. People can’t buy their way in because we don’t charge tuition. It also has to do with the way Cave Canem empowers its writers. Writers don’t grow in solitude. They get their confidence and they study their subjects in dialogue with other writers. If black writers are being forced into narrow categories then that dialogue is cut off. When you have brilliant people discussing literature or just the issues of being alive today, it’s very inspiring and it encourages you to keep writing. Cave Canem is partnering with City of Asylum/Pittsburgh for a reading on June 24. How do you see this partnership? I think it is wonderful. We share a lot of our commitments. I am on COA/P’s board and Henry Reese, direc
