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| '''Orville Lloyd Douglas''' (born on ] ]) in ] Ontario ] to ] parents. Douglas graduated ] with a ] in ] in June 2004. Douglas work has been published in Canadian publications such as the ], ], ], ] and The ]. Douglas has also been published internationally in the the ] which is based in ] ]. His American publication credits include ], ], ], ], and the ]. | '''Orville Lloyd Douglas''' (born on ] ]) in ] Ontario ] to ] parents. Douglas graduated ] with a ] in ] in June 2004. Douglas work has been published in Canadian publications such as the ], ], ], ] and The ]. Douglas has also been published internationally in the the ] which is based in ] ]. His American publication credits include ], ], ], ], and the ]. | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 4 July 2007
Orville Lloyd Douglas (born on September 26 1976) in Toronto Ontario Canada to Jamaican Canadian parents. Douglas graduated York University with a BA degree in history in June 2004. Douglas work has been published in Canadian publications such as the Toronto Star, Xtra Magazine, Now Magazine, Word Magazine and The Georgia Straight. Douglas has also been published internationally in the the New Zealand Herald which is based in Auckland New Zealand. His American publication credits include Venus magazine, Urban Mozaik, Honey magazine, Arise magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
You Don't Know Me, Contract Argument with TSAR and Resolution
In April 2005, Douglas' first volume of poetry "You Don't Know Me" was published by TSAR Publications. After the publication of "You Don't Know Me" Douglas noticed typographical and spelling errors in the poetry collection. Douglas was extremely unhappy with the quality of the poetry collection. He also believed TSAR was apathetic to his concerns about the editing of the poetry collection. He became depressed and withdrawn. Douglas felt that TSAR Publications did not put in the effort to make the poetry collection successful and reach its potential.
Douglas also pointed out that Nurjehan Aziz' husband M.G. Vassanji, a famous award-winning author, wouldn't have accepted the errors in his work so why should he. Douglas demanded that he be released from the contract and to have the rights of the book reverted back to him. Douglas believed TSAR's efforts to not hire a copy editor was an attempt by TSAR to sabotage his book and believed it was motivated by racism.
Douglas specifically asked TSAR if they had a copy editor yet Nurjehan Aziz, the publisher of TSAR, did not want to spend money on a copy editor.
In June 2005, Douglas took his concerns to the Canada Arts Council, and the Writers Union of Canada. The Writers Union of Canada responded and Marion Hebb an attorney came involved as a mediator to the dispute between Douglas and TSAR.
On July 13th 2005, the termination agreement between Douglas and TSAR Publications was agreed upon and all the rights reverted back to Douglas. Although Douglas was upset about the quality of his poetry collection it had still reached an audience. The poetry uncovers the hypocrisy and double standards that affect the lives of gay black men in relation to identity, family, mainstream racism, gay racism, love, and homophobia.
Dispute With Arsenal Pulp Press On Seminal Anthology over poem
In April 2007, Douglas' poem "Dear Langston Hughes" was published in the first Canadian gay male anthology "Seminal." Douglas' poem deals with a fictionalized passionate love affair between Douglas and Langston Hughes during the Harlem Renaissance. A conflict emerged when Arsenal Pulp Press sent Douglas a contract demanding world rights for only $50 dollars for the poem. Douglas refused the contract stating that according to the Writer's Union of Canada booklet "Anthology Rates and Contracts" world rights are much higher for a poem's inclusion in anthologies. The controversial contract which Douglas stated that he did not sign also included a provision in which Arsenal Pulp Press wanted republishing rights for future editions of the anthology "Seminal" without compensating Douglas. The Writer's Union booklet "Anthology Rates and Contracts" stipulates the writer has control over which territory the poem is published and must be compensated for all territories the work is published in. The dispute is still ongoing and unresolved.
The Good Son CBC Radio Documentary
On May 17th 2007, Douglas radio documentary "The Good Son" was broadcast across Canada on the CBC radio program Outfront. The first section of the documentary was an interwoven quilt of Douglas reading his poetry and interviewing his father. The second part of the documentary was a monologue as Douglas exploring issues such as homophobia in the black community, heterosexual marriage, family discord, and society's racism against young, gay black men.
A Mighty Heart Controversy
On June 9th 2007, Douglas' piece "Shades of Blackface" was published in the New Zealand Herald. The article deals with what he calls the hypocrisy of Hollywood and casting controversy over the film "A Mighty Heart." Angelina Jolie, a European-American actress, was cast as Mariane Pearl despite the fact that Pearl is of multiracial ancestry of which African is one. Douglas argues since Pearl looks more of African descent then of European descent a woman of mixed race ancestry such as Thandie Newton should have been chosen for the role. Douglas' perspective is due to what he feels is Hollywood's racism, Jolie perhaps being chosen since she is considered more of a box office draw and more marketable to a mainstream audience. Douglas also mentions the incredible struggle African-American women have in Hollywood in finding quality leading roles.
On June 21st 2007, Douglas followed up with the article "Is White The New Black?" which was published in the Vancouver British Columbia alternative newspaper The Georgia Straight. The piece is an expansion of Douglas' thoughts about "A Mighty Heart."
Bibliography
Radio Documentaries
- "The Good Son" -CBC Radio - 2007
Important Works by Douglas
- "Shades Of Blackface"- New Zealand Herald - 2007
- "Is White The New Black?" -The Georgia Straight - 2007
Anthologies
- "Dear Langston Hughes" - Seminal - 2007
Poetry
- 'You Don't Know Me' - 2005