PMD - African American Literature Lesson

African American Literature Lesson

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s raised awareness about the need for all Americans to listen to the voices of people of color. The Black Power and the Black Arts Movements were both responses to this growing interest in self-determination, voice, and cultural expression within African American communities. Though the movements themselves disbanded, transformed, and evolved over time, they opened an interest in and space within American literature for diversity that remains to this day.

Please view the following presentation, which will introduce you to five important African American writers: Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and Nikki Giovanni. Please be patient while the video loads - depending on your internet connection, it may take some time. Ensure that your speakers are turned up, and use the controls at the bottom of the presentation if you need to pause the video. Make sure you also have a way to take notes, as this information will help you understand the texts in this unit and complete the unit assignments.

Reading Assignment

It is now time to read one text from each of the five authors introduced in this lesson.

As you read, look for elements and characteristics of Postmodern writing, especially the exploding of accepted truths, the inclusion of multiple voices, personal emotional expression, and the use of non-traditional narrative patterns. You will use these observations on a future assignment. Finally, use the reading guide linked below to help self-assess your understanding of each text.

African American Literature Reading Guide Text Link Links to an external site.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.