Don't Explain
Summary
Don't Explain is a collection of Jewelle Gomez's short stories. In the collection, Gomez, a Black lesbian feminist, touches on themes such as race, class and gender hierarchy, racial and sexual identity, acceptance of Black lesbians in society, and eroticism. Gomez challenges what is looked at as "normal" dominance in society in the collection with characters who overcome judgements of society and ultimately accept themselves and embrace their own identities. According to Patricia Hill Collins in Black Sexual Politics "normal" dominance is classified as White, masculine, and heterosexual, whereas many of Gomez's main characters are Black women, often Black lesbians. In the story "Steps," the main character overcomes her past and stands up to a step-father who abused her as a child, something that Black women are not commonly seen doing in media. The story is an example of triumphing over societal norms in an act of dominance. Another notable story is the title story "Don't Explain." The main character struggles with acceptance of herself; she meets a friend who ultimately shows her it is okay to embrace every aspect of yourself and introduces her to women who embrace the very thing she was afraid to show. Stories such as "White Flower," "Ounce of Charm," and "Piece of Time" deal with accepting lesbian sexuality. The graphic details of sexual acts in these stories show the importance of accepting sexuality in writing. Gomez is famous for writing in a speculative fiction format, a style of writing that generally takes place in a time and place away from the current time. Short stories in the collection such as "Houston" and "Lynx and Strand" can be classified as speculative fiction where the idea of Black Lesbians is more accepted because they can be looked at as an issue that does not directly affect society because the stories take place in more of a fantasy aspect. Overall, Gomez's collection of stories deal with overcoming difficulties and accepting one's self while embracing lesbian sexuality.
Don't Explain: The Collection
White Flower
In the short story, White Flower, we follow the character of Luisa. Luisa is a middle-aged woman who lives day to day, awaiting the phone call of her lover. The twist in this story is that Luisa only meets the other woman, Donna, when it is convenient for Donna. Throughout the story, the purpose and need of acceptance for Luisa is explored through the relationship between the two women.
Don't Explain
Don't Explain shows a quick glimpse of the life of a woman who has lived her life in the same area, all the while wishing for something more. The story showcases the famous Billie Holiday and the immense respect and admiration that Letty has for this woman. The story hones in on one specific night where Letty finds herself at a small gathering with other women, eventually sharing her love of Billie Holiday with others surrounding her.
Grace A.
Grace, a grandmother, recently comes to care for her abandoned grandchild. With such an age gap, Grace isn’t quite sure how to communicate and instead connects through many hours of hair braiding and storytelling.
Steps
Ramona Edwards returns to her late mother’s apartment in hopes of sorting through personal belongings and putting her mother to rest. Instead Ramona finds herself grappling with the realization that her stepfather is at the apartment as well; a man that sexually abused Ramona as she grew up.
Ounce of Charm
Ounce of Charm promotes the acceptance of Black Lesbians in society through the use of the erotica. The story opens as a group of women are playing cards with one another. Idell begins the story by sharing how Juanita was compelled to buy a new perfume called, Charm. Juanita purchases just one ounce in hopes of attracting someone of the opposite sex (as the advertisements declare it will). When she gets home, Juanita puts on just a few dabs and her entire world shifts. For hours, Juanita explores her body, discovering new areas of excitement and self-revelation. The next day, she finds herself accepting the invitation of a woman to go out to a club. Hours later, they are in bed, hypnotized with one another as they make love. The story comes back to real life at the card table when the couple tells the groups they are soon celebrating their 5 year anniversary.
Water with the Wine
Water with the Wine focuses on the growing romantic relationship between an older Black woman, Alberta, and a younger white woman, Emma. The struggles of finding a place of acceptance for the relationship are demonstrated through the differences in race and age between the two women. The story specifically shows Alberta’s internal struggles as she makes the decision to pursue Emma.
Piece of Time
Piece of Time is the story of a Black woman taking a vacation from her corporate lifestyle in the city. The story takes place it the Caribbean as Carolyn develops an intimate relationship with a local woman, Veda, who has been cleaning her room. Through this unexpected relationship, Carolyn opens herself up to the idea of a different type of lifestyle other than the one that awaits her at home.
Lynx and Strand
Lynx and Strand is a speculative fiction short story that takes place in the future. The story is told at a time when the government has immense control over people and has the power to move people, topics and issues around as they please. In response, we follow the character Strand as she rebels against society. In a society where even tattoos are taboo, Strand embarks on a journey to create a work of art through the use of her entire body. Through this process, her love affair with Lynx, must be kept a secret and the end of the story results in a dramatic twist of fates that embody a utopian ideology amongst a dystopian society.
Houston
Houston depicts the story of the vampire, Gilda, who meets a witch named Archelina. This story is full of erotic imagery and imagination.
In the short story, White Flower, we follow the character of Luisa. Luisa is a middle-aged woman who lives day to day, awaiting the phone call of her lover. The twist in this story is that Luisa only meets the other woman, Donna, when it is convenient for Donna. Throughout the story, the purpose and need of acceptance for Luisa is explored through the relationship between the two women.
Don't Explain
Don't Explain shows a quick glimpse of the life of a woman who has lived her life in the same area, all the while wishing for something more. The story showcases the famous Billie Holiday and the immense respect and admiration that Letty has for this woman. The story hones in on one specific night where Letty finds herself at a small gathering with other women, eventually sharing her love of Billie Holiday with others surrounding her.
Grace A.
Grace, a grandmother, recently comes to care for her abandoned grandchild. With such an age gap, Grace isn’t quite sure how to communicate and instead connects through many hours of hair braiding and storytelling.
Steps
Ramona Edwards returns to her late mother’s apartment in hopes of sorting through personal belongings and putting her mother to rest. Instead Ramona finds herself grappling with the realization that her stepfather is at the apartment as well; a man that sexually abused Ramona as she grew up.
Ounce of Charm
Ounce of Charm promotes the acceptance of Black Lesbians in society through the use of the erotica. The story opens as a group of women are playing cards with one another. Idell begins the story by sharing how Juanita was compelled to buy a new perfume called, Charm. Juanita purchases just one ounce in hopes of attracting someone of the opposite sex (as the advertisements declare it will). When she gets home, Juanita puts on just a few dabs and her entire world shifts. For hours, Juanita explores her body, discovering new areas of excitement and self-revelation. The next day, she finds herself accepting the invitation of a woman to go out to a club. Hours later, they are in bed, hypnotized with one another as they make love. The story comes back to real life at the card table when the couple tells the groups they are soon celebrating their 5 year anniversary.
Water with the Wine
Water with the Wine focuses on the growing romantic relationship between an older Black woman, Alberta, and a younger white woman, Emma. The struggles of finding a place of acceptance for the relationship are demonstrated through the differences in race and age between the two women. The story specifically shows Alberta’s internal struggles as she makes the decision to pursue Emma.
Piece of Time
Piece of Time is the story of a Black woman taking a vacation from her corporate lifestyle in the city. The story takes place it the Caribbean as Carolyn develops an intimate relationship with a local woman, Veda, who has been cleaning her room. Through this unexpected relationship, Carolyn opens herself up to the idea of a different type of lifestyle other than the one that awaits her at home.
Lynx and Strand
Lynx and Strand is a speculative fiction short story that takes place in the future. The story is told at a time when the government has immense control over people and has the power to move people, topics and issues around as they please. In response, we follow the character Strand as she rebels against society. In a society where even tattoos are taboo, Strand embarks on a journey to create a work of art through the use of her entire body. Through this process, her love affair with Lynx, must be kept a secret and the end of the story results in a dramatic twist of fates that embody a utopian ideology amongst a dystopian society.
Houston
Houston depicts the story of the vampire, Gilda, who meets a witch named Archelina. This story is full of erotic imagery and imagination.
Reviews
"Novelist, poet and essayist, Gomez, now brings out a memorable first collection of short stories. The futuristic, all-too-plausible "Lynx & Strand," in which the government is a corporation, satirizes at the same time the theories of behavioral scientist B.F. Skinner and the anti porn legislator Catherine MacKinnon. Grace A. is Gomez's tribute to her own great grandmother, Grace, a stern-seeming Wampanoag-African American, reluctantly yet dutifully caring for her great granddaughter. Gomez's women are savvy and bold, with a sense of ancestry and hipster, and they forge deep connections to other women. Eroticism infuses their daily a activities, but although these women are passionate, they rule their lives with their heads. The author's compassion, affection and respect for her characters is infections. Recommended for all fiction collections."
-Library Journal, June 15, 1998
"Fantasy prevails in Jewelle Gomez's DON"T EXPLAIN, a stunning set that includes "Houston" in which the heroine of the author's GILDA STORIES returns."
-The Advocate, Holiday pick November 10, 1998
"Seven traditional short stories, a fantasy novella and a new short story about the black lesbian vampire Gilda make up this sexy, eclectic collection. Often set in the Boston area, the more traditional stories feature women (usually of color, usually lesbian) brought together by friendship or desire. In the title story, a Boston waitress in the 1950s gets to serve her idol, Billie Holiday, then later bonds with a potential new lover over their mutual admiration for the singer. Fluidly written and briskly paced…these stories demonstrate an impressive, wide ranging imagination."
-Publishers Weekly, June 15, 1998
"Jewelle Gomez is a real storyteller, maybe one of our best. She can take a moment and weave it into something extraordinary. In her latest collection of short fiction, Gomez travels the well-worn paths of erotica and vampires and coming out in ways that make those plots new and important and hugely entertaining. In "Grace A." Gomez uses subtle indicators to reminder her readers of the racism that lurks below the surface or rages above. In "Lynx & Strand" she combines Eros and the forbidden art of the tattoo to create an image of arts as revolutionary act that is utterly compelling. DON'T EXPLAIN fills the mind with wonder while it enriches the soul and enlivens the spirit."
-Bay Area Reporter
-Library Journal, June 15, 1998
"Fantasy prevails in Jewelle Gomez's DON"T EXPLAIN, a stunning set that includes "Houston" in which the heroine of the author's GILDA STORIES returns."
-The Advocate, Holiday pick November 10, 1998
"Seven traditional short stories, a fantasy novella and a new short story about the black lesbian vampire Gilda make up this sexy, eclectic collection. Often set in the Boston area, the more traditional stories feature women (usually of color, usually lesbian) brought together by friendship or desire. In the title story, a Boston waitress in the 1950s gets to serve her idol, Billie Holiday, then later bonds with a potential new lover over their mutual admiration for the singer. Fluidly written and briskly paced…these stories demonstrate an impressive, wide ranging imagination."
-Publishers Weekly, June 15, 1998
"Jewelle Gomez is a real storyteller, maybe one of our best. She can take a moment and weave it into something extraordinary. In her latest collection of short fiction, Gomez travels the well-worn paths of erotica and vampires and coming out in ways that make those plots new and important and hugely entertaining. In "Grace A." Gomez uses subtle indicators to reminder her readers of the racism that lurks below the surface or rages above. In "Lynx & Strand" she combines Eros and the forbidden art of the tattoo to create an image of arts as revolutionary act that is utterly compelling. DON'T EXPLAIN fills the mind with wonder while it enriches the soul and enlivens the spirit."
-Bay Area Reporter
Read Me!
Here is a list of other literature that may be similar or comparable to Jewelle Gomez's Don't Explain:
- Intimate Chaos by Cheril Clarke
- Does Your Mama Know? by Lisa Moore
- Fire and Brimstone by Laurinda D. Brown
- The Bull Jean Stories by Sharon Bridgforth
- Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
- Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
- Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
- Another Country by James Baldwin