African American literature originated in the 18th century as slaves developed their own voice and identity within the context of slavery and colonial race relations. Religion played a major role as conversion to Christianity challenged ideas of black inferiority and the justification of slavery. Early works were often stories told orally then later written down, dealing with themes of the struggle for freedom, black identity and experience, and the role of language and community among black people.
African American literature originated in the 18th century as slaves developed their own voice and identity within the context of slavery and colonial race relations. Religion played a major role as conversion to Christianity challenged ideas of black inferiority and the justification of slavery. Early works were often stories told orally then later written down, dealing with themes of the struggle for freedom, black identity and experience, and the role of language and community among black people.
African American literature originated in the 18th century as slaves developed their own voice and identity within the context of slavery and colonial race relations. Religion played a major role as conversion to Christianity challenged ideas of black inferiority and the justification of slavery. Early works were often stories told orally then later written down, dealing with themes of the struggle for freedom, black identity and experience, and the role of language and community among black people.
African American literature originated in the 18th century as slaves developed their own voice and identity within the context of slavery and colonial race relations. Religion played a major role as conversion to Christianity challenged ideas of black inferiority and the justification of slavery. Early works were often stories told orally then later written down, dealing with themes of the struggle for freedom, black identity and experience, and the role of language and community among black people.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN LIT
- ORIGINATED IN THE 18TH CENTURY
- Against the backdrop of colonial race relations and cannot be understood without knowledge of issues of authority, voice, appropriation, and attribution . - Free workforce was “beneficial” for big plantaintions, it became a part of the economic system. Developing certain ideas of inferiority vis a vis Black people… they were traded for by other africans. - Colonial race relations were ambiguoius at first (with clear discriminatory practices but still ambigious) adn then completely dictated by slavery in the 18th century, specially in Southern plantations - Even if it was constitutionally established, there were some counter tendencies, even in the south. - In the north it was more complicated since they weren’t isolated in the owner plantations. - Negro election - Set complex and cultural relations, there Slaves were places where the community could express themselves, and that created an idea and thoughts of their own situation.
RELIGION PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN THE EMERGENCE OF AA
LITERATURE - Conversion was a really big influence: - Christianity = freedom. They have a soul = they are people = why are they enslaved? - Awareness of slave condition and awareness of the deabtes about it in Europe. - Comprehension and argumentative use of scriptures (the idea that black people descend from Ham, Noah’s son) = challenge to the notion of inferiority - “we understand the scripture as well as you”. - Many missionaries and slave owners triet to messsage that conversion would make slaves more docile. But they couldn’t forget that all humans are equal. - No way to sustain slavery through Christian arguments. - Quakers were the first group to point this out, they were beaten, exiled and killed - Conversion also broughtes education and literacy.- ability to interpret scriptures, and proclaim gospel. It challenged the idea that intellect was a white thing. It provided black communities with a voice.
Anti-slavery argument was championed by the quakers, masters and slaves would sit together and exchange stories. Slaves told thier sotries. It sshowed that slaves provided the force behide white-driven anti-slavery movement. (plus a sotry telling tradition began to take shape; they started orally and then they were written down like 12 Years a Slave)
Some names: - Phillips Wheatley - Jupiter Harmon - Frederick Douglass - Harriet Jacobs - W.E.B. Du Bois
GENERAL THEMES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- the struggle for freedom - racism, slavery and social equality.
- Black Identity - Black experience in history and memory as well as their role within the larger american society - Language and music. Aa writing has influences of oral forms like sermons, gospel music, blues, jazz, hip-hop. And rap - Family and community.
