Marcus B. Christian--A Literary Soldier 

              By Deborah P. Cains

He was a soldier who was strong enough, bold enough, and tough enough to survive. 

A soldier, a pioneer, a teacher, a writer, who was strong enough, bold 

enough, and tough enough to share and express himself enough to be 

appreciated by institutions and those who knew him and his works. 

A soldier who was strong enough, bold enough, and tough enough to endure 

during a time when all seemed to be falling apart. 

Marcus Bruce Christian was strong enough, bold enough, and tough enough to share 

his keen intellect and experiences in his diverse writings and yet not give in

to disappointment  nor not being fully recognized because he was 

merely . . . Marcus B. Christian of New Orleans.

This soldier was strong, tough, and bold enough to express himself 

in inspiring literary works although  his regional preference to dwell 

was seemingly the key that locked the door of recognition t

hat many of his contemporaries experienced because their regional preferences 

to dwell were cities in the north. This soldier was strong enough, tough 

enough, and bold enough to share and to give anyway because he was indeed 

strong, tough, and bold enough to know that what he expressed through the written word 

was great! His literary works will always have outstanding merit, 

but unfortunately he had to pay the price for being Black and even a greater price 

for being a Southerner. But still "they" all know of his strength, toughness, and boldness . . .

and one day in the twilight of life we will open the great anthologies and see Marcus B. Christian,

and say yes, he was strong enough, tough enough, and bold enough to endure even in his death--

a literary soldier.

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