As a Skyline Writing Center tutor, being a person of color helps with overall diversity. But black authors as a whole are on the lower end of representation. Being a black female that enjoys writing my representation is very limited. Even dating back to times of slavery and Jim Crow Laws, people of color and/or black people all together didn’t have the voice to speak out about the constant worries they face just for being a different color. In today’s blog post I will talk about Black Literature and its long history.
Black writers have played a crucial role in shaping literature as we see it today. From the world of letters with their unique voices to different perspectives and narratives. The history of black literature spans a wide range of unique genres and styles. Black writers have a complex history that dates back to periods of slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement and more. From history many years ago to tragedies in today’s time influences many books. Most books that depict realistic scenarios have stemmed from crimes from wrongful accusation and police brutality to black on black crime that happens in mostly urban areas.
These different perspectives reflect diversity within black communities. Their literature embodies themes of identity, race, culture, social justice, and basic human experience. These things might seem like typical life things but as a black person, just existing and affecting the way you live your entire life. You have to worry about things like looking like a suspect to drastic measures being taken from locals around you. Books with these perspectives give the reader an idea of what it’s like to be in the protagonist’s shoes if you aren’t already familiar with the certain lifestyle.
Many early black writers were trailblazers. These people tended to break barriers and challenge societal norms. Writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and many others left a mark on literature and black people as a whole. This paved the way for many generations to come.
With this path paved, today’s generation of black writers continue to make significant contributions across various genres. This includes fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and speculative fiction. These authors include Jesmyn Ward, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and beyond.
Black literature intersects with various aspects of identity including gender, sexuality, and even socioeconomic status. The intersectionality adds depth to each and every story told by black writers. This offers more comprehension to the exploration of the human condition. As they use various intersections to further bring in the audience, black writers have also been advocates for education and literacy within their communities. They want to use the power of storytelling to empower individuals and bring out a social change.
Not only have black writers influenced the literature within the United States but have made a global impact. In places within Africa, Caribbean, and others have enriched their literary voices worldwide. This continues to show the intersectionality of black writers.
To summarize, Black authors have used their platforms as a whole to make a change within their own community. Even if it’s the smallest change, they use their powerful words to influence the youth to not repeat mistakes that have happened for many many years. As a community we use writing to express ourselves since back in the days of slavery our ancestors didn’t have the rights we have in today’s age. As a young black woman in America, writing tends to be a great way to speak to people even if it’s not verbal in a sense. Our ancestors have paved this path for us as the African American community so we have to continue to use it to our advantage.
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