BLACK PROFESSOR CRITICIZED FOR HIS NOVEL ABOUT THE IRISH CAUSE UPROAR
Jackson, MS (BlackNews.com) - Professor Leon Newton teaches political science at Jackson State University and is a literary artist. Newton did not think his recent novel The Newspaper Boy was newsworthy until he started to receive calls and emails from people who were shocked to discover that a black person would write this book.
The novel is about an Irish immigrant family during the 1900's and their son Eric O`Connor who triumphed over adversity and the social stigmazation of being a catholic and Irish in America. Eric struggles with his Irish pride, traditions and their credo that often conflicted with becoming an American.
Some people are a little upset that an African-American author would critique the discrimination the Irish experience in the American culture while trying to assimilate.
Newton said that one of the things that caught his attention was the signs that read: "BLACKS, Jews, Irish and Dogs Need Not Apply" when these ethnic groups were looking for employment.
One of the many questions that continues to resurface is why in the novel does he have a Jewish man befriend a poor Irish immigrant boy and help him to achieve his American Dream?
Newton replies, "When it comes to kindness and the respect for other people - humanity the act, is not confined to any one ethnicity. In the novel, Mr. Goldstein befriends Eric not out of charity, but rather he notices Eric's strength of character and sense of fairness for others in life and that is very rare these days."
According to Newton, these are the traits good men develop from and become strong leaders with convictions of justice and compassion. "This is rare in this world, and there are only a few men who seek this; most people chase money."
The novel The Newspaper Boy is unknown except in small literary circles around the country. It's one of those books that has been overlooked, and thus is not a bestseller.
Newton comments, "The novel is sure to stir up discussion on the meaning of the melting pot and ethnic mobility in the American culture."
The Newspaper Boy (ISBN:0-7414-2393-6) is self-published by Infinity Publishing, and can only be ordered on the publisher's website at
www.bbotw.com The cost is $11.95.
To contact Leon Newton, interested ones should email him at leonnewt@aol.com
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Wednesday, July 13th 2005 at 7:01PM
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