After reading this story about Zora Neale Hurston, it reminded me of many topics that we have covered in class, especially the incidents where African Americans abandoned their race and culture, to fit into society, "white society." In Hurstons "Mules and Men," Hurston shares the stories of African Americans that have been forgotten for many years because African Americans abandoned those memories. I believe Hurston as an author, was brave and did not care what society thought of her as a writer. She wrote from the heart about the lives of so many African Americans. She brought life back into many lives and brought back a sense of happiness and fulfillment that so many lacked for many years.
The narrator states how Hurston was one author who did not lack the sense of racial health, complexity, etc. which so many African Americans authors lacked during this time. It was as though she was not going to settle (like so many have) to fit into a society that was not going to except her. She was going to stand tall and speak out about her beliefs and for those who have abandoned their race and culture because they did not see another way out. She took a risk, but in doing so, brought comfort and a sense of community back to the African American population. The narrator states, "Zora grew up in a community of black people who had enormous respect for themselves and for their ability to govern themselves." Not only did she bring this to those who knew her, but to everyone who read her book. Although she may not have been well known and "rewarded" for what she accomplished, she did have a positive impact of many African Americans.
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2 comments:
I agree that Alice Walker's Article really shows the induring respect she had for Hurston as a woman who wanted to make a statement. As someone 'ahead of her time' it was probably difficult for other Renissance authors to do simillary things, perhaps because of their personal feelings, but more often than not, because things which were viewed as 'too black' or in some way inappropiate would not get published.
I agree with your point about Zora Neale Hurston and her writing. THe article did suggest and I agree, that she was earning respect for her writing in a time where not many blacks and certainly not black women were given much credit for their work. I would just like to point out though that it seems from reading the article that she eventually went on to write some pieces that were more geared to a whit e audience - so in a way she is also saying that if her work won't sell she will change her audience so that it does.
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