Bonnie Greer, author of the brilliant Obama Music was interviewed in the Saturday Times this weekend. Below is a taster:
My mother and father
My father, Ben, was a factory worker, and my mother, Willie Mae, a housewife. They had a limited education and little money, yet managed to raise seven children. The things they taught me have stayed with me. My father always said, “Consider the source”, so whenever I have any criticism, I always analyse who said it, why they said it and how much I value their opinion. If I don’t rate them, I don’t care. My father has passed away, but my mum still lives in Chicago and is twice the woman I’ll ever be.
My husband
David and I first met in the aisle of a supermarket 23 years ago, but we lost each other for six years before bumping into each other again at a play opening. We got married six months later and have been together ever since. Even though he is as different from me as he could possibly be – he is a white, English, suburban ex-public schoolboy – from the moment we met he knew exactly who I was and he still does. He is the person I can’t do without, and being with him is incredible. I tell every woman I meet not to give up on love because it is true; there is somebody out there for everyone and you will meet them.
My hero
The person who first moved me and still does is the late African-American author James Baldwin. I was 12 when I read his first book, Go Tell It On the Mountain, about his childhood in Harlem in the Thirties. He nailed the emotions I felt right on the head and I read all his subsequent books.
My agent
When Judith told me she was in her mid-twenties, I just started laughing. She is a generation younger than me, but is a great editor, is wiser than me and keeps me in touch with younger people. She is more like my big sister. I feel lucky to have her and always tell people not to discriminate against others based on their age.
To read the interview in full click here!
Lucy
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