African American literature

African American literature is literature written by, about, and sometimes specifically for African Americans. The genre began during the 18th and 19th centuries with writers such as poet Phillis Wheatley and orator Frederick Douglass, reached an early high point with the Harlem Renaissance, and continues today with authors such as Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou being ranked among the top writers in the United States. Among the themes and issues explored in African American literature are the role of African Americans within the larger American society, African American culture, racism, slavery, and equality.

Characteristics

African American literature tends to focus on themes of interest to Black people, such as the role of African Americans within the larger American society and issues such as African American culture, racism, religion, slavery, freedom, and equality. This focus began with the earliest African American writings, such as the slave narrative genre in the early 19th century, and continues through the work of many modern-day authors.

Related Topics:
Black people - African American culture - Racism - Religion - Slavery - Equality

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Another characteristic of African American literature is its strong tradition of incorporating oral poetry into itself. There are many examples of oral poetry in African American culture, including spirituals, African American gospel music, blues and rap. This oral poetry also shows up in the African American tradition of Christian sermons, which make use of deliberate repetition and cadence. All of these examples of oral poetry have made their way into African American literature.

Related Topics:
Spirituals - Gospel music - Blues - Rap - Christian - Sermon

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However, while these characteristics exist on many levels of African American literature, they are not the exclusive definition of the genre. As with any type of literature, there are disagreements as to the genre's definitions and which authors and works should be included. For example, some people include in African American literature writings which lack African American characters and situations and are not particularly targeted at Black audiences. An example of this is the outspokenly gay science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany, who, while not writing specifically about African American issues, many consider to be a leading voice in African American literature.

Related Topics:
Gay - Science fiction - Samuel R. Delany

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