For those of you who know me, you’ll know that I’ve always been an avid reader. Reading for fun has become a little more difficult in college, as I get more and more busy with my classes and jobs. However, I still try to make time to read when I can. To celebrate Black History Month, I want to discuss some of my favorite Black authors. These authors have written works that have moved me, inspired me and educated me. I highly recommend checking them out when you have the chance.
The first author is James Baldwin (1924-1987). Baldwin was born in the United States, but spent a significant amount of time in France to escape American oppression. He became famous for his written work, from poetry to novels to essays. His work covered issues of race, class, sexuality, masculinity and so much more. In high school, I read one of his plays, “Blues for Mister Charlie.” It is both heartbreaking and still relevant for a play written in the 1960s. The play discusses the unjust legal system, as well as unfair expectations placed on Black men. Honestly, it could have been written this decade. I’ve been appreciative of his work ever since.
The second author is Audre Lorde (1934-1992). Audre Lorde described herself as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.” Her poetry gained national acclaim in the 1970s, and she published a large range of work across her life. The passion and thoughtfulness of her works really speak to me.
The third author is Alice Walker (1944-present). She’s written novels, poetry, biographies and everything in between. She’s best known for her novel “The Color Purple,” which is another novel I read in high school and loved ever since. It’s not an easy read, but it is important for a lot of reasons. It follows a young woman as she navigates both racist and patriarchal parts of her society. It has been adapted onto the stage and screen, so you could even watch the movie if you don’t want to read the whole book (even though the book is better).
There are tons of contemporary and historical Black authors that have written groundbreaking work. If you have the chance to read it, I highly recommend you do. You won’t regret it!