In Honor...

February was Black History Month.
I forgot too.
So, the purpose of today's posting is to be more globally connected and globally aware.
African American literature has always been a big part of United States history, probably since African Americans have been a part of the United States since even before this country was formed. Starting with slavery and ending with probably Barack Obama's election win, African-Americans have shaped their literature around the current pains and triumphs they face.
The first of published black writers were slaves and abolitionists, the very first being Phillis Wheatley. She! was a slave child brought from African and sold in Boston. Although English was not her native tongue, Wheatley held an interest in literature and before long published Poems on Various Subjects in 1773, even though she was bonded slave.
Amazing right?
African American literature continued to expand with Frederick Douglass (an escaped slave and abolitionist), W.E.B. de Dois (one of the original founders of NAACP), Langston Hughes (central figure of the Harlem Renaissance), and Maya Angelou (civil rights activist).
So, how is it that African American literature is so overwhelming culturally enriched?
There are four main eras in African American literature: Slavery, Post-Civil War, Harlem Renaissance, and Civil Rights Movement. These four eras focused on African American struggles and victories as they tried to rise up and triumphally show the world their own true, proud identities.
African Americans are very influential when it comes to literature. It's because of their background, their struggles, and their final victories that such vivid, powerful poems, books, songs, and so much more are brought forth and really make such huge contribution to society.
Completely and totally wonderful is it not?
And these works of literature made by these powerful people is only from America. Imagine the work from Africans in Cuba, Haiti, Brazil, England, Africa herself!
Nicolas Guillen (whom we study relentlessly in Spanish class) was an Afro-Cubano whose works of poesia negra are well known for their political activism during the political upheavals occurring in Cuba during the mid-20Th century.
African culture is so rich, just like any other culture. It's seen bad times, worse times, and many victories.
So, maybe instead of just celebrating one culture, how about we celebrate them all through the wonders of literature? Go on Google, and look up some powerful writers who came from Asia, Latin America, Australia, even Antartica!
You never know. Them penguins could be some very pretty powerful writers.