Sweet Orisa

He has a Black Panther flag and a red, black
and green flag sticking out on either side of his
porch. I feel safer when I'm close to Mr. Johnson's
house. Not all the kids like him but won't none of
them disrespect him or do anything crazy near his
house. Not even Chuck. That's for sure. They say
Mr. Johnson and his crew carries guns. You about
have to around here.

-from the short story "Concrete Rose"

Where are the voices of light and conscience that are not afraid to illuminate
the underbellies of the critical issues facing today's African-American family
and America's neglectful treatment of the whole family structure?

Sweet Orisa is a collection of short stories that gives force to the many young
voices that have been left out of the dialogue of African-Americans elders and
social elites. Author Marquis R. Nave's voice permeates Sweet Orisa as the clear
call of a neorealist African-American following in the footsteps of James
Baldwin and Toni Morrison. The voice within these pages forces it way into the
exclusive conversation. The author deals with the challenges of attaining
communityhood, self-determination, equality, and the recognition of African-
American humanity.

Emotional and evocative, the stories in Sweet Orisa comprise a journey
centered in rage, loss, and frustration that transforms to forgiveness, self-determination,
and identity.