Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance: Selections from the Work of Richard Bruce Nugent Book

FYI: This review was written for a blog tour @

While deciding if I wanted to participate in this tour, I wasn't sure what author I would choose as my focus. I knew for sure that I didn't want to cover Langston Hughes because he is one of America's favorites. I think it's safe to say that he is an all-time great. Therefore, after speaking with a well-versed fellow blogger, specifically on Harlem Renaissance authors she suggested Richard Bruce Nugent. I Googled Nugent and I couldn't believe that there was a gay author during that period. (Shhhh!!!) I must say I know homosexuality has been around since biblical days, but to find an author who had openly written about it, wow! The title alone made me do a double take, Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance.

Richard Bruce Nugent (1906-1987) was born in Washington D.C. but spent most of his life in New York and was one of the last surviving Harlem Renaissance trendsetters. Over Nugent's life, he was considered a writer, painter, dancer, and a true bohemian, a true jack of all trades. He also traveled the world and from his writing I concluded that he spoke languages other than English and used them in his works. In addition, Nugent is credited via numerous sources as being the protege of Alan Locke, deemed "...the "dean" of the Renaissance itself," by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., in the foreward. While serving as the only Harlem Renaissance writer for most of the period to openly declare his sexuality in published works, Nugent was still welcomed by other greats of the time, such as Zora Neale Hurston, Madame C.J. Walker, and Langston Hughes just to name a few.

Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance is the first and only collection of works by Richard Bruce Nugent compiled by Thomas Wirth, a friend and heir to his estate. Before this collection many of the works published in this book were previously unpublished, scattered, and/or only available in research libraries. After a foreword by Gates, Wirth gives a thorough biographical overview introducing Nugent to readers while re-introducing him to others. The introduction covers the first 61 pages and provides readers with an in-depth first-hand account into the life of Nugent and his close friends and allies of the time.

Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance is a must add to my library. This book is filled with works created by Nugent during his lifespan, writings and artwork. Like most great artists, he unfortunately didn't receive the accolades he deserved during his lifetime. However, one of the works included, Smoke, Lillies and Jade is considered to be "Nugent's most important work." According to Wirth, this piece was published in the first issue of FIRE!! in November 1926. (A publication created by younger Black writers and artists.) Aside from containing strong homosexual language, this short story definitely set a precedent for works of this genre. To be quite frank, he created this genre. In this work Nugent allowed the main character to have a same-sex relationship without the fear of being shunned by outside forces or negative energy. He also allowed the main character to be himself and do what felt natural to him. In addition, Nugent's unique writing style in this piece stood out with him using ellipsis instead of periods to complete a thought.

Although I liked Smoke, Lillies and Jade, it was not my favorite. My favorite work is an interview taped and transcribed by Wirth entitled, You See, I am a Homosexual. Nugent spoke openly about his sexuality, "You see I am a homosexual," he told Wirth. I think the title alone tugged at my heart because I love the fact that he was not in denial or looking for acceptance from anyone, during the Harlem Renaissance or afterwards. In addition, he went on to say:

"I have never been in what they call "the closet." It has never occurred to me that it was anything to
be ashamed of, and it never occurred to me that it was anybody's business but mine... "

Nugent did so much for the Harlem Renaissance by not idly standing by and accepting the homophobic ideologies of society (including other writers and publishers) and instead stood on what he believed. He was standing up for the GLBT community before it even formally existed and even before they realized they would have to stand for that matter. Nugent is officially one of my new favorite authors and I intend to research and read other works by him. My goal for this year is to become more versed in the African Diaspora and I'm also adding to that challenge to increase my knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance and those that made it great. They paved the way for Black literature, as we know it, and I feel as a blogger that focuses on people of color I should be aware of the history made during that great time for Black America.