it allows me to know what I'm about to get into.

I really don't think it's as easy as there is good story telling and bad, because I don't give two shits about plot if the writing is great, just as if the writing is mediocre but the plot is very engaging I'll tough it out and likely enjoy it.

I think crime fic, spec fic, sci-fi should sit comfortably next to realist or literary stuff, they only reason they don't is because of the gatekeepers.

hopefully my gen who will be the next gen of teachers and writers that can bridge that gap

I mean I've read hella Morrison and Baldwin, but just "found out" about Delany and Butler and a lot of that is due to the how much the distinction even makes its way into the "literary authors of color"

folk should just read everything, or as much as they can regardless of genre