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.
7 comments:
Vanessa,
I didnt know about the 4 different sections that there was in African American Literature. It was great to know about all of this new stuff but what about the recent African American writers and their contribution to their culture?
Either way great blog.
Dear Vanessa,
I really enjoyed your blog and like the way you speak through writing becasue it makes it really interesting and for me to want to read more. Now refering back to your blog I learned in more depth about African American literature. To me African American literature is inspiring because for many it talks about what they've been through and had to do to get to where they are. It is nice to know about what they did and had to deal with everyday of their lives to become free. Not only has African American literature being so good, but literature from other ethnicities have been inspirirational to like you stated in your blog. I can't wait until your next blog.
Dear Vanessa,
I didn’t remember that it was Black History Month as well, but then later on I found out but I kind of didn’t pay much attention. Out of the examples you put I only know about three (Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. de Dois, Langston Hughes). Now you have introduced new people from these four eras. Well Langston Hughes words are very affective. I love his poetry. I think that you should of put a bit of there poems or parts, so we could read as well and see ourselves that they are very affecting. I agree with you that we shouldn’t just celebrate one but all together to create a unity amongst ourselves. Putting everything on the side (race, gender, beliefs, etc.
Vanessa,
Overall, I acknowledge you for such a great blog. In my opinion, your blog was very interesting and different from others. I also wanted to inform you that through your blog I was able to learn new things. Which is great, because like the saying goes "the more you learn, the better".
Well i hope that your next blog is as great..!
Vanessa,
GOod job explaining how the African community has brought more life to today's literature. The struggles that they have gone through probably make them have the best written and most detaled books. I could go on and on listing the different forms of rhetoric that the African-American culture has. All the Pathos, word choice, the description and ability to create scenes in our heads is amazing. Good job of reminding us of an important culture.
Hey there Vanessa,
I just finished reading your blog and I think you did a great job showing the historical timeline of African American literature.With this in mind,I want to mentioned that it is becasue of African American literature that most of their stories are told.Maybe you are aware,I don'tknow,that the only way Afrcian slaves kept their beliefs and most of their history alive was through oral tradition.Meaning that most of their history has been passed down orally. Therefore,it would be kind of obvious that writers and poets like Langston Hughes and Phillis Wheatley were able to excel in literature due to the help of oral tradition.
In the end,I want to congratulate you for doing an awesome job in your blog and I want to say that the Power in Writing can be exhibited by anyone whether you are white or any "color of the rainbow"(Atticus,TKAM).
Hey Vanessaaaaaa
How you doing?
whats good?
anything new?
wait this aint myspace:]
well your blog hmm...
How long did it take you to gather up all this information?
I always hold up that you are one of the best writers. You prove it in your blogs. You give so much information and you make it all sound joyful and happy.Overall great blog and i always truly enjoy reading ur blogs:]]]]]] <3
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