African American Literary Criticism

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Harlem Renaissance (360)

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A movement of black literature, art, music, philosophy, and many other fields in the humanities that mainly occurred in the 1920s in Harlem.

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Black Arts Movement of the 1960s (364)

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The literature, art, etc. produced and influenced by the Black Power Movement

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interest convergence (371)/ material determinism

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some consider main cause of racism. racism is prevalent because the group in power (whites, men, upper-class, etc.) can use racism to serve their own interests/ to succeed in Capitalist endeavors, one takes action that will cause racism to be carried out in the specific ways that will help the dominant group get ahead

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Brown vs board of education (371)

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legally desegregated schools, 1954

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NAACP (371)

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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

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U of CA vs. Bakke (383)

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Rejected applicant to university sued, claiming that the school discriminated against him because he was white and they had affirmative action.

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hegemony (360)

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dominance of one social class over the others

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racialism (360)

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A belief that biological differences between races exist, even/specifically regarding morals and intellect, and that this justifies believing in racial superiority/ inferiority and that some races are more “pure” than others. One does not have to be in a position of power to hold this belief.

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racism (360)

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When one race has social and political control over another, it slowly results in the dominant race having significantly more power than the subordinate race and reproducing those power relations; this causes systematic discrimination

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institutionalized racism (361)

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enables systematic racial discrimination; the integration of racist protocols in societal institutions like the government, court system, schools, the workplace, etc. that are often hidden and rationalized.

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universal literature (361)

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Literature that applies to all people. White authors tend to be canonized more than black authors because 1) novels that focus on black experience are said not to do this 2) black themes are expressed through divergent formal techniques

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Eurocentrism (361)

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the belief that Europe is at the center of culture and is therefore better

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internalized racism (362)

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when people of color in a white-dominated culture believe on a deeper psychological that they are inferior level because of the racist messages, ideologies, and images they were exposed to and the context in which they were raised.

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intra-racial racism (362)

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when members of the black community treat those who are “less white” as inferior.

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double consciousness/ double vision (362)

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When one must look at the world in two different ways because they are exposed to two sets of cultural ideologies: the transformed African culture which was influenced by slavery and white American culture. e.g. of sol. code switching

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Black Vernacular English (BVE) (363)

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fulfills requirements of language but under-recognized

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deconstruction (365)

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idea that “the center” doesn’t matter, suspiciously arose when AA works finally became the center of literary study. This might have hurt the unified cultural identity that can be found in such works that gives power to African Americans.

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Critical Race Theory (369)

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Created by Derrick A. Bell, this theory recognizes the influence of everyday racism, interest convergence/material determinism, social constructions, differential racialization, intersectionality, and African Americans’ voice of color on the relation of race to our everyday experiences even though recognizing this influence flies in the face of “common sense” beliefs. This theory exposes racism as a complex phenomenon that is reproduced in part because of learned ideas about race that we take for granted, and shows where we can find it. The theory has spread to almost every academic discipline. It can be used as a lens through which to interpret and analyze literature.

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everyday racism (370)

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e.g. black while shopping, denial of it; effects are cumulative

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social construction of race (372)

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The idea that race was invented and developed by society and not part of an inborn biological essence. Racial categorization does not reflect any sort of biological reality; rather, it reflects current beliefs about race (for they differ historically). For instance, through the creation and changing of census categories, some groups have “become” white. Really, race can be viewed more accurately on a spectrum (if it even matters).

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differential racialization (375)

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stereotypes are irrational and contradictory because they stem from the dominant group constructing aspects of the perception of race depending on what would best serve its interests. Differs according to historical period.

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intersectionality (376)

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different experiences of different group identities overlap and influence each other and one’s experience and how one is viewed

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voice of color (377)

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people of color have more authority and credibility on the subject of race and racism than white people who do not have first-hand experience with racism.

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White privilege (378)

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The perks associated with belonging to the dominant race, including a “leg-up,” extra resources, more favorable reactions, and being addressed with politeness. They consist of a form of everyday racism, because they are given at the expense of the subordinate race. Seen as “only natural” and deserved, but often unconsciously given and received. Peggy McIntosh successfully and thoroughly developed a list of privileges she experiences because she is white at the expense of African Americans.

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“problem with liberalism” (380)

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Liberalism is seen by some as too moderate to effectively address or change racism. Instead, small changes that will not help very much are said to be permanent and successful solutions, thus ending any movements for change prematurely. Example: brown vs. board did not change racial segregation that happens because of poverty lines

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“color blind” (381)

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not seeing or validating differences between races. This view is problematic because racism still exists, but there would be no sanctions to protect minority groups from racism.

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racial idealism (382)

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The attitude that the historical construction and continuing reproduction of racism can be undone by society through institutions like schools, the media, etc. because society created racism.

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racial realism (382)

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The attitude that the historical construction and continuing reproduction of racism cannot be undone, and racial equality is an impossible goal. Derrick A. Bell Jr, a law professor, pointed out that anything that has ever been done to help blacks was only done when it benefitted whites. e.g. civil war.

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Afrocentricity (366)

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how much a text or literary work is centered in African history and culture. Trickster tales are, despite arguments to the contrary.

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African American literary tradition (385)

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The focus of African American literature on specific themes that repeat themselves throughout history and society and express the political, social, and economic situation/ power struggle of African American experience. Can also give insights into works of white authors. Some specific themes include double consciousness, cultural heritage, slave narratives, and family. Relevant texts often recognized by their use of orality and folk motifs.

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orality (386)

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the language of African American texts includes aspects of spoken words. Might use Black Vernacular English or specific rhythms

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folk motifs (386)

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connects literature to African and African-American history by integrating folk customs (like singing, jazz and blues, and storytelling) and specific character roles (like the matriarch, the trickster, and the religious leader).

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signifying (386)

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Using tricky ways to get a (sometimes insulting) message across indirectly. Henry Louis Gates Jr. argues that this is often used by African American authors to express one’s opinion about another person, author, or idea. e.g. parodying each other

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Houston Baker (388)

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Argues that the blues are reflected in aspects of African American culture, including its literature. The blues can thus be used as a lens to analyze and interpret African American literature. E.g. double theme of spiritual journey and subtext of economic struggle (economics of slavery) and attempting to gain dignity despite the reality of hardship

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Mary Helen Washington (389)

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A revisionist

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“suspended woman” (390)

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A female character type of revisionists that is a victim of society and men and has no control over her situation. (e.g. Pauline Breedlove)

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“assimilated woman” (390)

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A female character type of revisionists that is not a victim except for psychologically, for she has internalized racism and rejects the African American community in favor of the approval of white society. (e.g. Geraldine)

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“emergent woman” (390)

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A female character type of revisionists that is becoming aware of her own oppression and how to fight it, usually beginning with some painful experience. Can be found in works from the 60s.

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“liberated woman” (390)

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Some critics argue that this should be a fourth character type of revisionists. A woman who is already free from her own oppression; strong, and confident.

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Africanist (391)

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White people’s perceptions of African Americans, many of which are uninformed and created so that their own fears, wants, and needs are reflected in how they see African Americans. For example, black characters are often used to illustrate negative characteristics such as a propensity for violence and madness; this makes the white characters look better. Term was created by Toni Morrison.