Middle Passage author's credibility questioned
Fifteen years after the publication of Charles Johnson's slavery novel, Middle Passage, some African scholars are questioning its credibility after finding out that the author has never visited Africa . Howard Starks, professor of Africana Studies at Wayne State , says he cannot understand Johnson's reasons for not visiting Africa . "I can understand one not having means to make such a visit, alas, a person of his influence and education only gives way to two explanations; he doesn't feel the importance of such a visit, or he doesn't view himself as one of African ethnicity; perhaps both," Starks said. "Upon hearing such information [Johnson never visiting Africa ] it took some wind out of the sails of excitement of our meeting."
