HUMANITY IN COLOR BY Matt K. Johnson
Faculty member R. Alan Brooks uses the pen to combat bigotry and challenge views on race R. Alan Brooks wasn’t surprised by the death threats themselves — just the timing of them. Last December 24, the online news outlet “The Colorado Sun” published an article previewing “Anguish Garden,” Brooks’ soon-to-be-released graphic novel and his first since becoming a faculty mentor to students in Regis University’s Mile-High Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Because “Anguish Garden” offers an allegorical take on a hot-button issue — white supremacy — Brooks was prepared for some strong reactions to the article. The next day, Christmas Day, he awoke to multiple direct messages from an Instagram user stating that comic book writers and artists should be “drug out in the streets and shot.” “Frankly, I expected [threats] earlier,” said Brooks, who has remained safe in the wake of the threats and responded by making them public. “But this one was jarring because it was Christmas Day. … It’s not a great feeling, but it does feel like it’s a part of doing something that matters.” What matters to Brooks — and perhaps to those who might like to silence him — is inviting his readers to question how they view the humanity of others. A former rapper and insurance agent who has now turned his full attention to writing, Brooks mixes genres, characters and themes to investigate tough topics such as race, identity and xenophobia. He admits these topics may stir up strong emotions for those on the extremes, but those aren’t the people he’s trying to reach.