African American Tradition

Words: 808
Pages: 4
Open Document
African American literature is an everlasting story that informs the reader of their struggles, their pain, sadness, happiness, love, trials and tribulations, their way of life, and their pursuit of happiness. Stories told by Toni Morison, Zora Hurston, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, W.E.B Du Bois, Olaudah Equiano, Harriet Jacobs, Dr. King, and countless others, just give us a glance of black excellence at a time where it was foreign.
As an African-American, I shamefully confess that I wasn’t aware of some of the great writers and their work. However, for the past 15 weeks I have been entangle with the writings, stories and speeches by the trailblazing leaders.
Throughout this short essay, I’m going to provide information …show more content…
This challenge was on display early in African American History when I was introduced to The Vernacular Tradition. The Spirituals of the time period help us understand the struggles countless African-American was facing. One Vernacular Tradition in particular that was trailblazing and influential was Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel? This spiritual showed the strength and unbreakable soul of African- Americans, even in the lions’ den, even when all hope seemed lost, the lord will deliver them freedom. This spiritual, laid the foundation for numerous African-American authors, workers, thinkers, and any person of color, even in the lions’ den, the spirit will not break. The spirituals are what influenced people like Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, chance the rapper, and several …show more content…
E. B. Du Bois and his work The Souls of Black Folk. I will confess that, even today countless African- Americans are still impacted by his theory on “the veil,” me included. For that reason, I consider his work important for the time. I personally could never put it into words but when Du Bois stated that we are “Born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world, -a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity,” (689) I instantly understood my feeling and understood that it was the effects of double consciousness. Also, this is still somewhat true today for other African-Americans. This statement happens in a time where African- Americans are free from the chains, but not free in mind. Not only did Du Bois leave his impact with “Double consciousness,” but he left his impact by teaching African-Americans of the time that we are here on earth not just to work in a factory and die, but we can become anything we desire to. Just consider the changes from the time period of the Spirituals, where African-American people were obliged to sing their thoughts and feelings, because seveal couldn’t write or read, to a time period where W. E.
Show More

Related Documents: African American Tradition

African American Family Traditions

is more than one type of tradition? The new traditions that have been discovered over the last couple of years are not all in the same category. Some might be just as simple as movie nights and going camping with your loved ones, and other traditions may have something to do with your culture or religion. It is important to retell and remember American myths and legends, since they allow traditions and beliefs to remain alive. Traditions develop the idea that traditions unite people and provide a…

Words 534 - Pages 3

Essay on African American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology

African American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology Intro to Sociology September 3, 2010 Janice Caparro African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of Americans African descent to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential…

Words 2817 - Pages 12

Black American Culture Essay example

Black American Culture Marilyn Blunt Cultural Anthropology Mrs. Tristan Marble September 10, 2008 Inmy research paper I will be defining African American Culture and I also will be discussing things such as slavery, family relations, hairstyles, art forms, food, heath issues, symbolism, traditional beliefs and also why this topic is relevant to today culture and how this information can benefit…

Words 1768 - Pages 8

Cultural Appropriation In The 21st Century

appropriation in the 21st century is now more prevalent than ever. With the recent display of cultural traditions being appropriated by celebrities, a discussion has been sparked across the country showing an array of opinions. Cultural appropriation has been around since the early beginning of colonial America. Native American traditions, African-American traditions, and other minority groups traditions have been made to seem exotic and exploited through various forms. Some broad examples of cultural…

Words 443 - Pages 2

African-American Influence On African American Music

INTRODUCTION African-Americans have had a notable influence on American music. Since the days the slave trade began African slaves brought over, to this New World, their customs and tradition of music. They used music to give themselves some sort of cultural and ethnical identity in the New World. They also brought a rich African heritage, including songs. Adapted to reflect the experiences of life of hard labor on plantations, these slave work songs, laments, and shouts of protest evolve into…

Words 1159 - Pages 5

Black People and Great Migration Essay examples

joining the African American expression of modernity. Although Hughes was not radically experimental in his form, like writer such as Pound and Eliot, there is something inherently modern about his text un that it couldn’t have been written before. Hughes adopts the American idiom in his poem using colloquial language such as ‘lawd’, The use of dialect was problematic in that it became associated with the minstrel tradition which involved whites dressing up as African Americans, thus the dialect…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

Essay on Salsa Music and Son Cuban Son

Berlin wall and Soviet Union 1898 Spanish American War Pre Socialist Period Havana way on the west side Guantanamo way on the east side Rum and sugar plantations with massive sugar production Slavery and the slave trade Well known for its musicians and musical styles Known all over the world The roots of Salsa Sub Saharan musical characteristics all still apply Relative proportion of slaves to the general public is much higher (a lot more Africans) Slave trade lasted longer in Cuba than…

Words 601 - Pages 3

African American Parenting

Parenting Among African American Families While African American parents face the same developmental tasks that all parents face, they also have to overcome additional tasks to make sure their will children survive and grow up to be functioning adults not only within their own group of people, but also within other groups of people (McAdoo, 2002; Julian, McKenry, & McKelvey, 1994). African American parents have a tougher time facing the numerous tasks they have as parents. African American parents and…

Words 955 - Pages 4

Africa Slavery Essay

html>. Africans first brought to America At first the Europeans went to Africa to trade for gold, other metals, feathers, and ivory tusks. Soon it was discovered that many of the African Rulers would also sell their slaves who were taken to distant places and traded for other supplies. When colonies were settled in the Americas across the Atlantic Ocean they established trade routes with them as well. In 1532 AD, the first slave was taken directly from Africa to the Americas Then the African slaves…

Words 1571 - Pages 7

Cultural factors Essay

caused the differences in outcomes? Syncretism involves merging traditions, this means different religions unify with one another. Looking at the Indian tradition there are different beliefs such as Hinduism, and Buddhism. These traditions were in one way during the ancient Indian era but have managed to evolved, over many years. When that tradition evolved it combined different elements from other religions. Using the Chinese, American, and Indian religions all three are considered sacred within their…

Words 1068 - Pages 5