African American Semester Paper

We all have things that inspire us in life; something that creates so much passion and emotion that others are envious and yearn for that talent. The four authors whose works I have read about the African-American experience in this country were just that, overwhelming, explosive, and driving literature that makes one feel empowered. "So this is the little lady who made this big war." Abraham Lincoln said to Harriet Beecher Stowe when they met. She was a woman of high moral values, and very accepting of others. These qualities were evident and show through brightly in Uncle Tom's Cabin. A well educated, white woman, Stowe proved herself as a bold individual and came off as anything but afraid to express her bitterness towards the American society for the pain and suffering it caused.

In contrast, Booker T. Washington wrote his own story. A boy growing up in slavery, denied the one thing he wanted most, an education. Though there was much hardship he over came every obstacle thrown at him. He did not stop at building his own school and educating the black race, he became a model for society and then documented his accomplishments in Up From Slavery published just fourteen years before his death.
Growing up in slavery could be considered one of the most difficult experiences imaginable for a person of African decent. Though another troublesome scenario can be conjured: understanding exactly what one thinks he is, and then harsh reality wakes him from his pleasant dream. The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man depicts just that scenario. James W. Johnson is naively jovial to be a white boy growing up in the north. Then he finds out through his classmates, teacher, and finally his mother that he is not what he appeared to be. Looking through the eyes of a biracial man completely differs from looking through those of a man who knows exactly which "side" he is on.

A black woman living through the turn of the century would know precisely whose side she is on. So Zora Neale Hurston tells us through her story Jonah's Gourd Vine. Using some religious references, and other outside experience of growing up black in the south influence all that creates this women and her book. Thus all of these authors use the things they encountered in their lives and relate them to the same topic.
Four people living in four different time periods and in four different situations write about the same theme, all showing bittersweet passion. The strands that link these authors together are the obvious, topic. But looking deeper I see that these authors write because they hold the same loathing for the "color-line." One does not have to be victimized to dislike the travesties of the nation. Harriet Beecher Stowe is an example of that. She was white, she did not have to stand up. But she did by writing Uncle Tom's Cabin. Washington rebels against society by accomplishing all he did. He is a legend which during his time that was both unwanted and feared. Johnson was faced with the color-line not only by the community that surrounded him but within himself. Black or white; did he have to choose? And Hurston- it goes with out saying that blacks had to fight for their rights. But a black women experiences an even greater double standard. She has to be doubly good to be taken seriously, because she was a woman and she was black.

The mind is a powerful thing and thoughts go a long way. In reference to a topic as heavy as slavery in the United States, an author must have a strong viewpoint on it. A strong belief in the issue allows him to write inspiring words. Another reason people feel the need to dedicate time to expressing their opinion is because of acceptance. A common thread in all four of these books is the underlined tone of acceptance. If we just put aside our differences then maybe we can salvage what we almost destroyed. During the 19th century authors insist to a resisting nation that the injustices exsist. In the 20th century people have gone a long way. Slavery has ceased and blacks have slowly begun to climb out of the hole they were cast into so very long ago. Some of the books written about this topic over time have been like salt in the nation's open wound. But with every ounce of pain there is a truth behind it. Throughout the centuries authors have done their part by keeping our history in the front of our minds. Now it is our job make the realities of racism but a vague memory.

0102CE