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Hearing "Pull Up To The Bumper" by Grace Jones
"Sizing" Things Up With Scott Poulson Bryant
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
From afar, I have always admired Scott Poulson Bryant.
That name alone got me over a decade ago when I came across him as a part of the 'Vibe' tribe -- the inaugural editors of the groundbreaking Quincy Jones-founded urban lifestyle magazine.
14 years later, the Long Island-reared wordsmith is still pushing the envelope in the literary arena.
'Hung,' his much buzzed about literary effort billed as "a meditation on the measure of black men in America," was released in mass market paperback this week.
As a black author in the mainstream publishing business (the book is a Random House title), going soft (cover) usually equates to more scrilla.
Translation = money.
But I digress.
Poulson Bryant, 38, confronts the powerful mythology and the complicated repercussions of our obsession with a black man’s size, offering a provocative cultural history and a candid personal reflection on America’s sexual and racial fascinations.
I caught up with the sought-after wordsmith this rainy afternoon for some 'Off The Cuff' discourse about the book … and other things.
What's with America's fascination with black male genitalia?
You mean why are brothers simultaneously revered and reviled? I think that white folks needed a scapegoat for all the ridiculous ideas that they held about sexuality and culture, black men were like the boogeyman. But at the same time whenever you make something "out of reach" it also becomes sort of desirable. I think white people like having all the power. They figure they can let black men have "sexual" power and we accept it more often than not.
We, in the industry, herald you for your courageousness - and candor. How does the average layman (no pun intended) receive you? Ummmm, I mean the book project.
I've gotten lots and lots of emails and letters from brothers who loved the book. Some thought I'd told too much. Others thought I'd nailed it (soto speak). I got tons of mail from sisters who said they wanted their man to read it. Some have asked for a sequel -- I think women were surprised to find out that men think about these things like body image, etc.
They always want more, don't they?
Leave them wanting more.
The title 'Hung' and the artwork is definitely thought-provoking. Were you going for shock value element?
Not really shock value but I definitely wanted the book to stand out. And it did. I just thought "HUNG" was the best possible title because... it was a double entendre referring to penis size as well as the fact that black folks were lynched.
What surprised you most about this project?
In terms of response?
Making it happen.
Wow, good question. I guess it surprised me how much some peeps wanna keep discussion of sexual issues in the closet. I thought we were of a more sophisticated people than we actually are. On the good side, it was pleasantly surprising to see how many young people are trying to change how sexuality is such a shameful thing in the community. By young I mean a lot of the college kids I met on tour, etc... some of them were real cool.
How did the project come together?
The idea came to me one day the way ideas do...just plopped into my head. So I told my agent about it, she loved the idea. I talked to an editor I knew who said it was a good idea. We sent it out to one publishing house that liked it enough to take it off the market and that was Doubleday, who published the hardcover last year and now's here's the paperback.
So it wasn't a "hard" sell at all. How does this play into your legacy as a literary voice of this generation?
No, not hard at all brother. I've always sort of been known to "tell it like it is" in my journalism, so it's not so weird that I'd write a book that's pretty out there but legacy? I don't think about that too much. I do, however, want to be thought of as a writer who is courageous and willing to try to break some new ground. I did that as a journalist and I intend to keep doing it. I can't wait to sendyou my novel but that's another conversation for another day.
Okay. Now some off the cuff questions: You interviewed "Miss Jackson If You're Nasty" for the new issue of 'Giant' magazine. What is she telling you that she hasn't told anyone else?
Wow. She talks a bit about her childhood relationship with Michael. She talks about the rumors that she had a baby with that Debarge guy. And she talks about her dreams before becoming a singer. It's a good interview. I definitely think I got some good quotes from her. I think you'll like it.
Where is she going to address Justin's betrayal? Oprah?
Good question. That she wouldn't talk about. Maybe she's saving it for her book (laughing).
I hope you're writing it.
I'd hope so if she'd have me.
Truthfully, As one of the founding fathers of 'Vibe' what do you make of your baby in its 12th year of age?
Hmmmmm I think it's gone through a bunch of changes, some good, some not so good. You have to remember, when we launched 'Vibe' in 92/93 there was nothing else like it.
Bobby Brown over Christina [Aguilera]?
I don't get the Bobby thing. I'm putting a pic of me and Bobby on my blog to commemorate a very bad 'VIBE' decision. It's a pic someone took of me and [him] back in 92 when I interviewed him for the first ish of 'VIBE.'
I think Christina on the cover with DJ Premier would've been crazy if the art was hot.
Good point.
It could've played on White Women, Black Men… Hung.
(laughs) Like when we had Madonna and Dennis Rodman years ago.
Or just musically how black men can still save the day behind the scenes with white pop singers: Full Force/Britney Spears, Timbaland/Nelly Furtado, Will.I.Am and Fergie. But what the hell do I know, right?
That sounds like good article. Good points Karu. Pop music is littered with that sort of relationship.
But Bobby it is. The week of the legal separation. What timing!
Exactly, it wouldn't have been my choice but good for them.
Lastly, what's your take: Does size really matter?
One man's log is another man's toothpick--at least that's what I've learned over the years; sometimes it depends on the hole you're penetrating.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm gagging.
As one girl I interviewed for the book said: sometimes a [huge penis] is better to look at than grapple with.
That's a bit much Scott. I'm trying to keep this clean for AOL Welcome Screen.
Oh, I'm sorry just keeping it real from what I found in my research.
But thanks you so much for that candor. You know I really love it.
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To the person who made the first comment, aren't you tired of hearing about the war and irac..JESUS
please go out and have a lil fun with ya life, every minute doesn't have to be about the war. don't let the war paralyze you life, Thats what they really want and your giving it to them.
ok now about this hung thing, now average size i think is the best, really big ones do more harm then good, keep up the good work scott ! -
BLAH BLAH BLAH........TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT REALLY MATTERS....LIKE POLITICS, VIOLENCE, AND THE WAR IN IRAQ
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It has been my experience to know that size doesn't matter. If you are sexually attracted to a person experience is what the both of you make it. I've had sizable dycks and the ones that have mave me climax were of average size. It was what he did with it that made the difference. I'm happily married. My husband is not hung. I would say he's probably average. We've had a long relationship that has cummunated over the years, that make our sex great. There have been times when I wanted something bigger and got it, then wished I had not because it was less satisfying that what I already had. What a disappointment!!!!!! I think also it depends on how physically fit you partner is.
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I couldn't care less how big or small the average man's penis is. All I know is, mine satifies women.
9/29/06 5:10 AM