The African American Literary Expressions Essay - 2106 Words

Before the Civil War, the institution of slavery, racism, and prejudice tried to silence many generations of African Americans. Postbellum African American literary expressions are characterized as an archive of protest through the way African American expressed their different views and experiences of racial structures. Songs, poems, speeches, and other oral expressions helped reflect the lives of those who struggled during slavery. After the Civil War, oral and written history became a way of resisting oppression in society. These ways of communication became a tool for achieving equal rights and freedom for black people. Ida B.Wells and Frances Harper both suffragist and civil rights activist, strived for social change within society. Harper was referred to as an â€Å"abolitionist poet† in which her poems focused on topics like religion, heroism, women s rights and black achievement. Wells was like a abolitionist/investigative journalist. Through her pamphlets, articles, a nd public speakings she raised public awareness on lynchings in America. Her efforts led to lynching becoming a federal crime. These women had a large impact on the lives of African Americans through their forms of communication that initiated change in the norms and views of opposing others in society. Viewing postbellum African American literary expression as an archive of protest is significant because the narrative show what has become of the lives of former slaves and black people after the CivilShow MoreRelated The Harlem Renaissance Essay1513 Words   |  7 Pagesan African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. 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