Black Hibiscus: African Americans and the Florida Imaginary

Florida's literary and cultural history has been shaped by many different ethnicities, races, and cultures, but African Americans have played a significant role. Black Hibiscus: African Americans and the Florida Imaginary explores this history, focusing on interactions between maroons, Black people, and Native Americans, and the contributions of Black Floridians to the civil rights movement and the Florida Writers Project. Contributors include literary scholars, historians, film critics, art historians, anthropologists, musicologists, political scientists, artists, and poets.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Florida boasts a rich literary and cultural heritage, shaped by a diverse array of ethnicities, races, and cultures that call the Sunshine State home. However, the significant contributions of African Americans to Floridian history and culture have received limited attention. The state's early population boom was driven by immigrants from the United States South, including many African Americans. This interaction between Florida's ethnic communities has fostered a unique and vibrant culture that has left an indelible mark on southern, national, and hemispheric life and history.

Black Hibiscus: African Americans and the Florida Imaginary takes a deep dive into Florida's colonial past, particularly examining the interactions between maroons who escaped enslavement and Albery Whitman's The Rape of Florida, which interconnected Black people and Native Americans. Contributors explore various aspects of Florida's cultural landscape, including film, folklore, music, and the works of influential Black writers such as Zora Neale Hurston, James Weldon Johnson, Gwendolyn Bennett, Colson Whitehead, and Edwidge Danticat. The volume also highlights the role of Black Floridians in the civil rights movement and their contributions to the renowned Florida Writers Project.

A diverse group of contributors, including literary scholars, historians, film critics, art historians, anthropologists, musicologists, political scientists, artists, and poets, lend their expertise to this comprehensive volume. Their insights and perspectives provide a multi-faceted understanding of African American contributions to Florida's cultural heritage, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this significant chapter in American history.

In conclusion, Black Hibiscus: African Americans and the Florida Imaginary is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on Florida's history and culture. By highlighting the contributions of African Americans, the volume contributes to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the state's rich tapestry. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and anyone interested in exploring the diverse and fascinating history of Florida.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496848604