Your Initial Post Must Be A Minimum Of 150 Words Your Respon ✓ Solved
Your Initial Post Must Be A Minimum Of 150 Words Your Response To You
Your initial post must be a minimum of 150 words. Your response to your classmate must be a minimum of 75 words. You are encouraged to respond to more than one peer, but your primary peer response must meet the word count. Choose 1-2 poems or Hughes' “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”. Explore their meaning and how you may relate to the content and/or how your selection reflects real life situations. OR In “Sweat”, Hurston tells the story of abuse and survival. Discuss Delia’s psychological abuse and how it eventually transformed her.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
In this discussion, I will explore the themes of racial identity and psychological transformation as presented in Hughes' “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” and Hurston's “Sweat”. Both works delve into the struggles faced by individuals confronting societal pressures and personal abuse, resonating deeply with real-life situations of resilience and self-awareness.
Langston Hughes' essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” argues that African Americans have historically been conditioned to denounce their racial identity in pursuit of white aesthetic standards. Hughes emphasizes the importance of embracing cultural roots and artistic expression as tools for empowerment. I relate to this content because, in my own life, recognizing and accepting cultural heritage has been vital in shaping my identity and confidence. The essay vividly captures the internal conflict experienced by marginalized groups striving to find their voice amid societal expectations. This resonates with ongoing discussions about race, identity, and the importance of representation.
Conversely, Zora Neale Hurston's “Sweat” tells the story of Delia, a Black woman who endures psychological and physical abuse from her husband, Sykes. Over time, Delia's resilience transforms her, allowing her to confront her abuser and reclaim her strength. I connect with Delia’s journey of endurance as it reflects real-life situations where victims of abuse find their inner strength to seek liberation. Hurston masterfully illustrates how psychological abuse can diminish confidence but ultimately can be overcome through resilience and self-awareness. Delia's transformation underscores the power of inner strength in overcoming oppression.
Both works highlight important themes of self-acceptance and resilience. Hughes advocates for embracing cultural identity to combat societal limitations, while Hurston illustrates that psychological resilience can lead to personal liberation from abusive circumstances. These themes are pertinent today, as many people continue to grapple with issues of racial identity and personal trauma. Recognizing the importance of cultural roots and inner strength can inspire individuals to overcome adversity and achieve empowerment.
References
- Hughes, L. (1926). The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain. The Nation.
- Hurston, Z. N. (1933). Sweat. Testimony Magazine.
- Gates, H. L. (1992). The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism.
- Rampersad, A. (2007). The Life of Langston Hughes.
- Gates, H. L., & McKay, N. Y. (Eds.). (1997). The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader.
- Walker, A. (1982). The Color Purple.
- Naylor, G. (2000). The African-American Experience in Literature.
- Johnson, W. (2010). Resilience and Trauma Recovery.
- King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail.
- Fanon, F. (1961). The Wretched of the Earth.