Black Youth Reading for Pleasure in Alternative Spaces

Limited research is available on what Black youth in Toronto read for pleasure and the impact of intersectionality on their lives and the choices they make. Studies that focus on Black texts usually highlight trend analysis and the limited availability of books that promote diversity. This article offers a unique perspective on an important subcultural group and their engagement with texts for pleasure reading, and it is based on qualitative participatory research conducted with a small group of Black youth aged sixteen to twenty-five in Toronto, Canada. Methods include semi-structured interviews, photos, artwork, surveys and participant observation. Data was analyzed using textual analysis. The research reveals that the strategies Black nerds (Blerds) use to negotiate their participation in youth subcultures and Black culture not only situate them in alternative spaces but gives a unique perspective on notions of diversity, inclusivity, and Black youth lived experiences in Toronto.