African American Writers are Shaping the New Generation

for Ramapo Record

February marks Black History Month, and it is important to note that some of the top African American leaders in history, from the Civil Rights movement to the Harlem Renaissance to modern day, were writers. 

Themes of slavery, civil rights, oppression, and classism are all common elements within the works that relate to personal experiences for black writers. “A Rip in the Tent: Teaching African American Literature” by Katherine Driscoll Coon explores the importance of black American writers and the impact they have made in history. 

According to Driscoll Coon, African American writing “speaks to the deeper meaning of the African-American presence in this nation. This presence has always been a test case of the nation’s claims to freedom, democracy, equality, the inclusiveness of all.” 

From Maya Angelou to Nora Zeale Hurston, black writers have left a substantial impact on literature through their diverse perspective. The general themes that are covered, from oppression and slavery to liberation, have shaped the new generation of writers due to the impactful message.

To commemorate the impact that these writers have made, Ramapo College student writers were asked about notable black writers that have inspired them when they create. 

Student Writers Speak Out

“Maya Angelou’s ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ was a gripping and powerful autobiographical text that significantly changed how I look at, analyze, and write literature,” Griffyn Leeds, a sophomore literature major, said.

Maya Angelou, an American poet, was best known for her writing being front and center during the Civil Rights movement. Her book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is recognized as her most notable work as it explains her experience growing up as a black women and as a survivor of child abuse.

Tori D’Amico, a student poet known for her published collection “Signs of Growth,” said that a huge inspiration behind a lot of her work was black poet, Warsan Shire.

“She tells more than just her own story; she writes so passionately that the reader would always believe that she’s the speaker,” D’Amico said. “She writes about really taboo topics and commands attention about them.”

Warsan Shire, while a British writer, has made a global impact with her modern poetry. At only 31 years old, Shire has succeeded in being published in multiple journals, magazines, anthologies, and in 2016, her words were a part of Beyoncé’s visual album “Lemonade.” 

A large portion of Shire’s work focuses on the struggles of refugees as she is an immigrant herself.

Black poets have made a huge impact on the youth of today, but they are not the only writers that should be honored. 

“James McBride is the whole reason why i love memoirs and why I think personal storytelling is so important,” Natalie Tsur, a sophomore journalism student said.

McBride, while best known for his memoir “The Color of Water,” received the 2013 National Book Award for his fiction novel “The Good Lord Bird.” Through his writing, he notes his struggles growing up in a poor African American family. 

“The Color of Water” is now required as a classroom read across the country, and this is how Tsur was first exposed to McBride’s work.

Young writers as well as literature enthusiasts across the nation have been commemorating black writers for Black History Month due to its importance during the Civil Rights movement and racial movements of today. This proves the importance of black literature and why black writers are so greatly recognized as the most influential writers for multiple generations.