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Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?   - Lily Tomlin

Q & A

with Tahira Chloe Mahdi

Q: What motivated you to write God Laughs, Too: Incidents in the Life of a Black Chick?

A: I started writing God Laughs, Too when I was 20 years old.  At that time, my circle of friends and coworkers were between 20 - 25 and I was hearing the same stories over and over from all of them.  Many female associates have come and gone throughout my life, but as a confidante and friend, I get to know many intimate details about all of their lives.  Though some of them live in different states and have different family backgrounds, each woman seems to have the same problems as the others (including myself).  The biggest, most common problem is that they feel almost completely alone in their struggles.  I wrote God Laughs, Too: Incidents in the Life of a Black Chick, thinking about the young women with average drama who swear that no one understands what they are going through.   I wanted to say that it’s okay to be “grown” and realize that you still have a lot to learn about life and the pursuit of happiness.

Q: Why incorporate a voice of God in these incidents that are described with the often raw, uncompromising voice of Na’imah, your main character?

A: From a young age, I’ve always noticed that most people maintain that they have a special relationship with God, no matter how morally questionable their actions may be.  People will curse you out and still say, “Bless you,” after a sneeze.  Others get heavily intoxicated and pray aloud, “Lord, please help me make it through the night.”  Some even commit crimes and pray to not get caught.  No matter what most of us are going through, we still turn to our religious and spiritual beliefs when we feel we need them.  Also, I think that people should know that they don’t have to look outside of themselves for answers because the Divine Wisdom is already inside all of us.  We just have to call on it.  

Q: Has reaction to the book been what you expected?

A: I really thought that the only people who would understand the book would be Black women between 16 and 30 years old, and that was my intended audience when I wrote it.  Since the book’s release, I have received so many accolades from men and women of all ages and ethnicities.  Apparently, humor is a great unifier!  Communicating with such a variety of people who have been through similar situations has totally changed my view of the world and dismissed many of my former prejudices.  I am extremely grateful for that lesson.

Q: Could you compare God Laughs, Too: Incidents in the Life of a Black Chick with any other contemporary works of fiction?

A:  Not directly, but I think it has a few similarities with books about young women, which deal with more important life issues such as self-esteem and the unfortunate tendency to look for validation in insignificant things.  Most of what is considered “African-American fiction” focuses on romance, Christianity or street life.  God Laughs, Too is an intimate portrait or character study of a young woman who actually rejects all three of those things while being very affected by those things.  It makes for a very intriguing read – for those who are willing to open their minds a bit.

Q: Your main character's romantic relationship seems to be a major theme, but it is dealt with very hesitantly.  Why is that?

A: My circle of associates includes women who are considered to be the “Generation X”.  Our view of love and relationships is very different than our parents’.  We never had a discussion about a shortage of men or the fear of not being married before the age of 30.  We’ve always had an abundance of male friends… maybe our dealings with them is what created a lot of our drama.  However, all of the drama ultimately stems from a lack of love for Self.  We’ve supported each other through pregnancies, abortions, thug boyfriends, jealous females, and drug and alcohol indulgences where we crossed the line.   I think we, as a generation, need to analyze our self-destructive behaviors and lack of love for Self instead of looking for the illusion of love and romance in an attempt to make ourselves feel complete.  Furthermore, I can only write what I know, which is that many people my age don’t think twice about taking drugs or having sex with many different people.  It’s all we see and hear in movies, music and television.  

Q: Since you wrote the book when you were only 22, do you feel the need to update it or change it to reflect your growth as a writer?

A: Not at all.  That's the best thing about God Laughs, Too, in my opinion.  It's completely authentic.  I didn't have to stretch myself in order to understand Na'imah.  She was all around me and very much inside of me.  As a matter of fact, I very much admire the writer I was back then.  I hope to do as well with my next work of fiction.

Q: What do you want readers to get from God Laughs, Too ?

A: I would like to think that my readers would stop separating God from life’s everyday screw-ups.  I wrote this book in order to question various social and spiritual issues; and as a result, people are finding it funny, fascinating, inspirational or disturbing.  That’s one of the beautiful things about people.  We can come away from experiences with different perceptions.  Whether they are laughing, crying or shaking their heads, I want readers to question the matters explored. Hopefully, every reader will give a little more thought to that know-it-all voice in his or her head.  Embrace it.  Laugh with it.  It would be great if parents who read God Laughs, Too would take the time to discuss different issues with their children before they become teenagers… warn them about peer pressure and teach them to love themselves.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery everyday. Never lose a holy curiosity.

–         Albert Einstein