It’s Black History month again for some but everyday is Black history for me. This has become a controversial subject in the past few years, whether it should be celebrated or not. This is the month that we celebrate African-Americans’ achievements and their central role in United States history. Black History month was actually developed from Negro History Week, which was launched in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Negro History Week gradually evolved into Black History month in 1976.
For all you avid readers out there check out any of these great black writers to get an insight into black issues. This list includes a lot of my favorites however there are many more that I haven’t listed. It may not be mainstream literature to most but a lot of this literature deals with current issues that touch all races and cultures. Enjoy reading….
Maya Angelou, Tina McElroy Ansa, James Baldwin, Claude Brown, Octavia Butler, Bebe Moore Campbell, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Eric Jerome Dickey, W.E.B. Du Bois, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ralph Ellison, Ernest J. Gaines, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Nikki Giovanni, Alex Haley, Lorraine Hansberry, Lynn E. Harris, Chester Himes, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Jamaica Kincaid, Bernice L. McFadden, Louise Meriwether, Toni Morrison, Terrry McMillan, Walter Mosley, Jess Mowry, Gloria Naylor, Barbara Neely, Ishmael Reed, April Sinclair, Alice Walker, Margaret Walker, Dorothy West, Richard Wright, Malcom X….
Write in and tell me what you read and liked!
Here’s the main reason I love Black History month (all the interesting people I learn about): I was reading a blog post a couple of days ago about inspirational black women, Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) the first published African-American poet was the center. I ‘ve just learned about her and will be taking some time to find out more about her and to read some of her poetry. Check out his blog post on fleurdecurl.wordpress.com!
Lord, i kind of feel like this year is gonna be very busy in literature, “their eyes where watching God” led me to Zora’s universe and i truly love her writing even if i sometimes wonder how she could write without involving her fellow black man in her stories, but hey who can truly explain ?
Terri i discovered her thanks to the movies “waiting to exhale” and “how stella got her groove back” and ever since i’ve been reading her. I know nothing about Walter Mosley or Barbara Neely so i’m gon’ search and see what i will find.I’m reading “Gorilla my love” by Toni Cade Bambara right now so i’ll search the net for more right after.
Thank you for this post remain blessed.
Walter Mosley writes detective novels. He’s one of my mother’s favorites. Drop me a line if you mange to read something new from anybody on the list. Don’t forget all the African writers too. I think one of my next reads will be Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Loved Half a Yellow Sun!!!