Midterm Exam Voice Thread

Midterm Exam Voicethreadmidterm Exam Voice Thread Throughout The Semes

Discuss how African Americans have used literature and other creative means to rebel against the established power structures in the United States. Select two works read so far and analyze in detail how they contain elements of either open or covert rebellion against these power structures. Be thorough in your analysis by describing the scenes, essays, or entire works, and include your own ideas about the rebellion demonstrated within each piece.

Additionally, choose any two of your favorite authors from those studied this term. Explain why you consider them among your favorites and specify the aspects of their work that attracted your attention. Provide detailed descriptions to demonstrate your understanding of the authors' works beyond surface-level descriptions.

Paper For Above instruction

The history of African Americans' cultural and literary expression reveals a persistent pattern of resistance against oppressive power structures. Throughout slavery, segregation, and ongoing systemic inequalities, literature has served as a vital tool for rebellion—either overtly, through explicit defiance, or covertly, through subtle acts of resistance embedded in storytelling, poetry, and essays. Analyzing selected works allows us to understand the multifaceted ways African Americans have challenged and continue to challenge established authority, emphasizing resilience, identity, and the pursuit of justice.

One compelling example of rebellion within African American literature is the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. While not explicitly about rebellion against political systems, the poem embodies a powerful stance against oppression and marginalization. Angelou's recurring refrain, "Still I rise," symbolizes resilience amidst adversity, embodying an existential rebellion against societal expectations and systemic discrimination. The poem's tone, imagery, and rhythm serve as a spiritual and emotional act of defiance. Angelou’s assertion of self-worth and dignity is an act of covert resistance—challenging stereotypes and societal dictates that seek to devalue Black identities. This form of rebellion is subtle yet profoundly impactful, inspiring resilience and empowerment among oppressed communities.

In contrast, the work "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois presents a more overt form of rebellion. Du Bois critiques systemic racism, advocating for civil rights and intellectual empowerment through his essays and speeches. The concept of "double consciousness," introduced in the book, describes the internal conflict Black Americans face—living with the awareness of how they are perceived by a society that devalues them, while striving to affirm their own identities. Here, rebellion manifests as an intellectual and social challenge to the oppressive structures that deny African Americans equality and dignity. Du Bois’s call for political activism and education advances a visible fight against systemic racial injustice, embodying an open form of rebellion that seeks tangible change.

Regarding authors, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes emerge as particularly compelling for their unique literary voices and contributions to African American culture. Zora Neale Hurston's work captures the vibrancy of Black vernacular, folklore, and community life. Her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is a favorite because of her lyrical language and ability to depict Black womanhood with complexity and agency. Hurston's celebration of cultural heritage and her use of dialect serve as cultural rebellion—affirming Black identity despite dominant narratives that sought to suppress or marginalize Black voices.

Langston Hughes, on the other hand, is remarkable for his jazz poetry, which encapsulates the rhythm and struggles of Black life in America. His poem "The Weary Blues" struck a chord because of its authentic portrayal of sorrow and resilience through musical expression. Hughes's work is accessible yet profound, and his advocacy for racial equality through poetry embodies a form of cultural rebellion—asserting the beauty, dignity, and depth of Black artistry in the face of systemic suppression.

Both Hurston and Hughes exemplify different but complementary modes of rebellion—Hurston through cultural affirmation and literary sovereignty, Hughes through artistic representation and social critique. Their works embody a resistance that is at once subtle, lyrical, and overt, serving as enduring symbols of African American resilience and defiance against oppression. Their contributions continue to inspire contemporary discussions of race, identity, and resistance in America.

References

• Angelou, M. (1978). Still I Rise. Random House.
• Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.
• Hughes, L. (1951). The Weary Blues. Knopf.
• Hurston, Z. N. (1937). Their Eyes Were Watching God. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
• Johnson, M. (2010). Literature and Resistance: A Cultural History. Oxford University Press.
• Levine, L. W. (2015). Black Culture and Resistance. Harvard University Press.
• McKay, C. (1922). If We Must Die. The Nation.
• Norris, M. (1994). The Literature of African American Resistance. Routledge.
• Rabaka, R. (2013). Cultural Resistance and Black Literature: A Critical Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Washington, B. T. (1900). Up From Slavery. Doubleday.