Black Folklorists in Pursuit of Equality: African American Identity and Cultural Politics, 1893-1943

African American movements used folklore to reveal the soul of a race and find a path toward civilization, reconciling racial identity with a path to an ever-perfecting civilization. Folklore was a unique contribution to these movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

In the quest for equality, African American movements embraced folklore as a powerful tool to uncover the essence of their race and chart a course toward civilization. This comprehensive chronicle spans from the early 1890s when the Hampton Institute organized the folklore society to the early 1940s, encompassing notable organizations such as the American Negro Academy, graduates of Fisk University, William Hannibal Thomas, the NAACP, the Urban League, the Friends of Negro Freedom (black socialists), the Universal Negro Improvement Association, and blacks affiliated with the Communist Party USA. These black folklorists, driven by a rejection of materialism, violence, and death, sought to reveal the diverse inner life of the African American community. Their research uncovered a spectrum of emotions, ranging from loving and forgiving to imitative, tragic, happy, faithful (spiritual), emotional, and aesthetic (creative). Their ultimate goal was to achieve complete freedom, which encompassed not only economic and political equality but also social equality, nation-building, and full equality and self-determination.

Moreover, folklore itself played a unique role in these movements. Black folklorists contributed their own distinctive perspective and methodology to the study of folklore, highlighting its relevance to the African American experience. They sought to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of their community while also addressing the social and political challenges they faced. Through their work, they illuminated the interconnectedness of race, culture, and history, and provided a framework for understanding the complexities of the African American experience.

In conclusion, the use of folklore by African American movements was a transformative force that helped to shape their identity, challenge stereotypes, and pave the way for social change. By embracing their cultural heritage and using it as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment, African Americans contributed to the broader struggle for equality and justice in America. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex history of African American folklore and its role in shaping the nation.

Weight: 746g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498586139