Unfortunately, there isn't a comic book pro on the S&A staff, although I have previously asked that those of you who are writers and/or illustrators, or who live and breathe this stuff, and who would like to contribute your knowledge, enlightening those of us who aren't as connected to that world, to please do so (you can email me at [email protected]; I'm always open to submissions, as I've said repeatedly).

In the meantime, I'll point you to a thoughtful piece on the Comics Alliance website, penned by editor Joseph Hughes, titled Outrage Deferred: On The Lack Of Black Writers In The Comic Book Industry.

I think the title speaks for itself, but here's a sample:

This is the first week of Black History Month, a four-week celebration and remembrance of the significant events and people of the African diaspora. For many, myself included, it's a month to reflect on where we've been, as a people and as a nation, and to contemplate exactly where it is we're going. In terms of the comic book industry, an obvious interest and passion of mine, there is one glaring and sobering fact that needs our attention: There is currently not a single black writer working on a monthly series for either of the two biggest comic book publishers in the United States, and precious few working for any of the others. And yet, this fact has hardly been discussed recently, in the way some other diversity issues are. So what happened, exactly? Why is it that we no longer seem to care about this as much as we once did? Where has our outrage gone?

It's a familiar lament, however from a different POV than we're used to writing and reading about here on S&A, and I encourage to read the rest of it, which you can do HERE.

And feel free to return and share your own thoughts – especially if you work in that space, or are heavily invested in it.