231036 Double Vision - A New Take On African-American Poetry (Stud.AG) (SoSe 2021)

In this study group, we will take a look at phenomena regarding African American life in a split society and how people of colour represent their struggles in literature. Racism in the United States shaped and shapes the lives of most African American people, denying them political rights and equal opportunities. The theory that is going to help us guide our thoughts and contextualize our ideas when analyzing poetry will be W.E.B Du Bois “The Souls of Black Folk”. His concept of Double Consciousness is important with regards to the process of shaping one’s identity, describing the ambivalence of the life of African Americans and their struggle of belonging and taking part in a culture but not being fully accepted and recognized by the majority. The concept still affects the way contemporary African Americans view their heritage, their cultural background and the way they identify themselves in a time of continued racial inequality. That is why we will also take a look at contemporary African American poetry, which will also include rap music. Questions we could discuss are “How does someone’s self-perception influence their works?”, “How do the works reflect upon the social and political situation?”, or even "(How) Can literature accompany change?"

Requirements for participation, required level

This study group will allow you to gain 3 credit points towards the "Int@Home" module.

Bibliography

Some ideas, open to suggestions:

Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. 1903. New York: Bantam Books, 2005.

On Being Brought From Africa to America – Phillis Wheatly
George Moses Horton, Myself – George Moses Horton
Dream Deferred & Harlem Sweeties & I, Too – Langston Hughes
We Real Cool – Gwendolyn Brooks
An Agony. As Now. – Amiri Baraka

Changes – Tupac Shakur
The Blacker The Berry – Kendrick Lamar