Chapter 12
In: Queering the Vampire Narrative
Search for other papers by Maurice Moore in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
Although fictional, “The Argenti Beast” is a short story of one family’s journey to locate their ancestors while being part of the African and African American Diaspora. This proves to be as difficult and dangerous a task for them to complete as it is in the real world for a number of us. However, what aided me in creating this piece and processing the complexities of a diasporic identity was drawing upon a multiplicity of lenses and/or processes such as Foodways/Food Studies, Black Speculative Fiction, Practice as Research, African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and visual arts. For example, the saying “Black Don’t Crack!,” is part of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), which was used to create and/or draw from some of the existing Black folklore and/or Black aesthetics surrounding dark skinned people in order to create the monster in this text. Understand, this work is not about simply looking back and/or forward to connect with our ancestors. Moreover, just as I am responding to the complicated calls from the past with my drawings by weaving nonlinear lines; I am also creating lines with my text-based work(s) that intersect as well to create new visual pathways for the maker and the viewer that brings about clarity. Kima’s tale serves as a way of being and becoming with the many women of color, Femmes, and Butch Queens who make up our family trees and also drew from Black Queer Aesthetics to not only survive, but to thrive as well.
This is “The Argenti Beast”…