FRESH TAKES ON "ROLLING IN THE DEEP."

I spent the morning at a high school in Hesperia, California, reading and discussing my book, Rolling In The Deep, by Evelyn C. Fortson. Although the book was written for an older audience, the high schoolers could relate to the multigenerational family drama. I think that was in large part because of the well-layered character-driven narrative about love, personhood, resilience, grace, and redemption. We spoke about the generational and racial differences in the places we call home, and how they are addressed in the book. They shared with me who helped shape them into the person they are today, and whether they have told that person how important they are.

In the end, I told them that "Rolling In The Deep" was a love letter to the neighborhood where I grew up and to the people who meant so much to me. I told them that I intentionally put in historical events that documented African Americans’ collective history. The Watts riot, the mention of a Sundown town, the Great Migration, and white flight (along with other events and places) were mentioned to spark the readers' curiosity. They could see the correlation between the Watts Riot, the Rodney King Riot, Black Lives Matter, and the killing of George Floyd.

It was a joy to be around young people who are at the crossroads of their lives. I hope they make the most of this time in their lives. I was impressed by their teacher, Honey Obeng. The concern she showed for her students’ development and for the expression of their ideas will serve them well in their future endeavors. They are lucky to have her!

The time I spent with them was brief, but before I left, I wanted them to ponder the two questions the book asks the readers. What is required of love, and what does love cost?

Love is not only a feeling, but it’s also an action. Love requires work, sacrifice, commitment, compromise, … The cost of love involves an emotional investment, which includes the risk of heartache.