Marlon James quotes

Make no mistake, there's formula detective fiction, there's formula science fiction...but there's formula literary fiction too. It's genre snobbery that we're only ready to acclaim stuff that's of the genre but different in some way. It's sci-fi but, it's fantasy but... I didn't want to write a but. (Marlon James)
Being a big black man in America, I literally do not know how to conduct myself in a physical space. I don't know how to meet people without it seeming intimidating. I don't know if I should wear glasses, if I should try to look extra gay, if I should stand up, sit down, wave my ID, not reach for an ID. I don't know. I am literally immobilized in the presence of a lot of police power. That is a reality that could cross any form of social class, because it's racist. And it's very Caribbean of me to think my class can exclude me from racism. It's very Caribbean of me to think that if I just dress nicer, if I just wear a suit... It has nothing to do with that, it's racism... View quote
Marlon James