Whatever Happened to Interracial Love?

Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? is a collection of previously unpublished short stories by filmmaker and writer Kathleen Collins, released posthumously in 2016. The stories were written in the 1960s and 70s but remained undiscovered until after Collins' death in 1988. The collection explores relationships, race, and identity through sixteen stories set primarily in New York City during the Civil Rights era. Collins writes from multiple perspectives about artists, activists, academics, and ordinary people navigating love, family dynamics, and social change. The narratives focus on educated, middle-class Black characters and their experiences with romance, marriage, career ambitions, and generational differences. Collins employs various storytelling techniques, including screenplay-like formatting and shifts between first and third person narration. The stories in this collection examine the intersection of personal and political life during a pivotal time in American history, presenting complex portraits of Black identity beyond the usual narratives of struggle and oppression.

Readers note the raw intimacy and experimental style of these posthumously published stories from the 1960s-70s. Many describe the writing as poetic and ahead of its time in addressing race, gender, and relationships. Readers appreciate: - The cinematic quality and visual descriptions - Complex portrayals of Black middle-class life - Honest exploration of romance and sexuality - Blend of personal and political themes Common criticisms: - Some stories feel unfinished or fragmentary - Narrative style can be challenging to follow - Collection feels too brief Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "Like finding a lost jazz recording from a master musician," writes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader notes: "The experimental format takes getting used to but rewards patient reading." Several readers recommend starting with the title story to get accustomed to Collins' style before tackling the more experimental pieces.

Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick by Zora Neale Hurston This collection of short stories explores race, class, and gender through intimate relationships in both rural and urban settings during the Harlem Renaissance.

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans These stories examine the intersection of race and relationships through a contemporary lens while delving into personal and historical trauma.

Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin The essays combine personal experience with cultural criticism to illuminate the complexities of race relations and identity in mid-twentieth-century America.

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer These stories focus on young Black characters navigating identity, belonging, and relationships across different social landscapes.

The Collected Stories of Grace Paley by Grace Paley The collection presents urban life through interconnected stories that weave together politics, feminism, and intimate relationships in New York City during times of social change.

★ Collins was a groundbreaking African American filmmaker, and her 1982 film "Losing Ground" was one of the first feature films directed by a Black woman in the United States. ★ The stories in this collection were discovered among Collins' papers by her daughter, Nina, nearly 30 years after the author's death in 1988 at age 46. ★ Many of the stories reflect Collins' own experiences as a civil rights activist in Georgia during the 1960s, where she participated in voter registration drives. ★ The book's title story, "Whatever Happened to Interracial Love?", was adapted into a short film in 2016 by Cinematographer Ashley Connor and Director Colleen Collins. ★ Before her career as a filmmaker and writer, Collins was a French teacher and established the Black Theatre Alliance, demonstrating her commitment to diverse artistic expression.