The Strangers Book: The Human of African American Literature

The Strangers Book explores how nineteenth-century African American writers reframed humanism by rejecting the idea that humans have easy access to a common reserve of experiences and emotions. They posited that being a stranger, unknown and unknowable, was an essential part of the human condition, and that affirming the unknown and unknowable differences between people laid the groundwork for an ethical and democratic society. Lloyd Pratt focuses on nineteenth-century African American writing and publishing venues and practices, such as the Colored National Convention movement and literary societies, and contends that these authors were never interested in petitioning whites for sympathy or recognition of their humanity, but presented a moral imperative to develop practices of stranger humanism to forge personal and political connections based on mutually acknowledged and always evolving differences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 07 May 2021
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

The Strangers Book delves into the profound ways in which various nineteenth-century African American writers revolutionized the concept of humanism by challenging the notion of a shared reservoir of experiences and emotions. They rejected the idea that one could gain complete understanding of another person's life simply by claiming knowledge of human nature. Instead, they posited that being a stranger, unknown and unknowable, was an integral aspect of the human condition. By embracing the unknown and unknowable differences between individuals and groups, these writers laid the foundation for an ethical and democratic society where all persons could find a place.

Lloyd Pratt's work focuses on nineteenth-century African American writing and publishing venues and practices, such as the Colored National Convention movement and literary societies in Nantucket and New Orleans. By examining the writings of Frederick Douglass alongside those of the francophone free men of color who published the first anthology of African American poetry in 1845, Pratt argues that these authors were not seeking sympathy or recognition from whites. Instead, they presented a moral imperative to cultivate practices of stranger humanism, aimed at forging personal and political connections based on mutually acknowledged and ever-evolving differences.

Through their writings, these African American authors challenged the dominant narratives of humanism and paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse understanding of what it means to be a human. Their work emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing the unique experiences and perspectives of others, fostering empathy and understanding across different communities. By embracing the stranger within ourselves and others, we can create a more just and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812224863