Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison, an African-American Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, editor and professor.  Known for her novels, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved.  Her novel Beloved was based on an African-American slave in the year of 1873 just after the American Civil War.  Beloved was turned into a film in 1998 which starred Oprah Winfrey and the novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.

Toni Morrison received her B.A. in English from Howard University in 1953; and received her Master of Arts degree in English from Cornell University in 1955.  Toni Morrison taught English at two branches of New York State University.  In 1989 until her retirement in 2006 she held the Robert F. Goheen Chair in the Humanities at Princeton University.  While at Princeton, Toni Morrison developed the prestigious Princeton Atelier, a program that brings together talented students with world famous artists.

Barnard College has honored her with its highest honor, the Barnard Medal of Distinction. Oxford University and Rutgers University has awarded her an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP6umkgMRq4

The Blue's B.B. King Style

What is the Blues?  The Blues is the name given to the musical form and the music genre that originated in African-American communities in the Deep South at the end of the 19th century.  The Blues originated from spirituals, work songs, shouts and chants that would rhyme ballads.  B.B. King is an African-American Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter; he has been ranked No. 3 by Rolling Stone  magazine's list of 100 greatest guitarist of all time.  At the age of 12, B.B. King purchased his first guitar and after hearing T-Bone Walker play, B.B. King stated that he knew he had to have an electric-guitar for hisself.  In 1956 B.B. King had a record breaking year with 342 concerts booked; that was the year that he founded his own label.

B.B. King won a Grammy for his hit "The Thrill is Gone;" it is listed on Rolling Stone  magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time; he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and in 2004 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize.  From 1971 to the present, B.B. King has been awarded with several Grammys, Honors, Medals, and Achievement awards.  Here is a copy of a commerative pick honoring "B.B. King Day" in Portland, Maine.  Attached for your listening pleasure is "The Thrill is Gone," which he won a Grammy for best R&B Vocal Performance and a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnI&ob=av2e

Miles Davis

Miles Dewey Davis III was an African-American jazz musician, trumpeter, composer and bandleader.  Along with his musical groups, Miles Davis was at the forefront of several major developments in jazz, cool jazz, jazz fusion, modal jazz, and hard bop.  Miles Davis is regarded as one of the most innovative, influential and respected figures in the history of music; and has been described as “one of the great innovators in jazz.” 
His album Kind of Blue is the best selling album in the history of jazz music and was praised by the United States House of Representatives to “pass a symbolic resolution honoring the masterpiece and reaffirming jazz as a national treasure.”

In Miles autobiography he stated that he wanted to make music for the young African-American audience; his album On the Corner was a blend of funk with traditional jazz styles.  “He Loved Him Madly” was a tribute to Duke Ellington and “Calypso Frelimo” was Miles most lauded pieces from the era; it was also the last studio album of the 1970’s.  As an innovative composer and band leader, Miles Davis has influenced many notable musicians and bands from various diversity.  Since 1955, Miles Davis has been awarded with several Grammy Awards, Down Beat awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award just to name a few.  In 1986 he was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the New England Conservatory.  As a tribute to Miles Davis a statute is located in Kielce, Poland.  Here is a link to "Kind of Blue."   

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC8nqT6Rrk

  

                                                                             

 

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, nicknamed "Satchmo", was an all-time African-American trumpet and cornet player.  Known for his deep, raspy singing voice he was the first African-American to "cross-over".  As a privately strong supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, Louis Armstrong rarely publicized his race.  Louis Armstrong's vocals served as a foundation for jazz art vocal interpretation; he was also well-known for his scat-singing which is vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics.

During his time era, Louis Armstrong was widely accepted by White society, on and off stage; members of the African-American community would criticize him for playing in front of segregated audiences and would often label him as an "Uncle Tom."

In 1972 Louis Armstrong was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; his recordings were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.  Duke Ellington has been quoted saying, "If anybody was a master, it was Louis Armstrong."

"Hello Dolly" is one of his most recognizable performances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmfeKUNDDYs

Duke Ellington's Jazz as African-American Literature

What is Jazz?  Jazz is one of the most accelerated art movements in history. Beginning with slavery, jazz developed in a state of constant strife and turmoil.  Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist and a big band leader.  Duke Ellington is known as the "Greatest Composer" that has ever lived.  Duke Ellington's career spanned over 50 years which included his leading his orchestra, composing an inexhaustable songbook, playing in movies, and composing stage musicals; he led his band until the time of his death in 1974.  His music has become a cornerstone for American heritage and culture; and it has been said that he elevated the perception of jazz into an art form along with other traditional genres of music.  Duke Ellington was also an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance.

In 1914 Duke Ellington wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag."  Duke Ellington was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966, The Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in 1969 given by President Nixon, an Honorary PhD from the Berklee College of Music in 1971, and the Legion of Honor by France in 1973.  He also won an Academy Award as the best musical short subject for "A Rhapsody of Negro Life," in which Billie Holiday was first introduced.  Duke Ellington won 12 Grammy Awards from 1959 to 2000.  "Take The A Train" was Duke Ellington's signature song for his orchestra; it is one of his most famous compositions.  Attached you will find a link to "Take The A Train."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY

Alex Haley

Alex Murray Palmer Haley was an African-American writer.  His novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family is a story about an African from the 18th century, Kunta Kinte, that was sold into slavery in the United States.  Although the book was geared as fictional, it is said the Alex Haley traced back his family roots as far as seven generations and was therefore the great-great-great-great-grandson of Kunta Kinte.

Alex Haley attended Alcorn State University at the age of 15; after dropping out of college he enlisted in the Coast Guard.  During his tenure in the Coast Guard, Alex became the Chief Journalist.  Upon his 20-year enlistment, Alex Haley became the senior editor for Reader's Digest; he also conducted the first interview for Playboy magazine.  After Alex Haley's interview with jazz legend Miles Davis, Alex had a different tone for the magazine which included interviewing Martin Luther King Jr., Sammy Davis Jr., American Nazi party leader George Lincoln Rockwell; he also completed a memoir of Malcolm X weeks before his assination.  Alex Haley's first book to be published, The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1965. 

Alex Haley earned the Pulitzer Prize for his novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family and the mini-series won nine Emmys and a Peabody award.  Although the book spent 22 weeks on The Times Spot and 46 weeks total, it was later determined that certain adaptations was plagiarized by a previously written novel The American written by Harold Courlander.

Alice Walker's, The Color Purple

African Americans literature is derived from their slave roots which consisted of slave stories and fables. Generally the slaves would view their stories in the same way as they viewed their music. Their literature and music spoke about their culture, racism, and oppression that they faced during this time era.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker was a fictional novel which was based on black female lives in the 1930s.  The book won a 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction award.  Later The Color Purple was made into a film and a musical.  Alice Walker, a previous student of Spellman College in the 1960s, credits Martin Luther King Jr. for her return to the south and becoming an activist for the Civil Rights Movement.  Although Alice Walker is best known for her novel The Color Purple, she has also written numerous short stories and poetry.  Attached you will find a clipping of the musical production The Color Purple which was produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.  The musical opened on Broadway in 2005 and began touring in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF3p2FLArhY&feature=related

Black Feeling, Black Talk

   Black Feeling, Black Talk poetry written in 1967 from American poet, writer, activist, commentator and educator Nikki Giovanni.  Inspired by the black power and civil rights movement, Nikki Giovanni's poetry expresses her strong racial pride and respect for her family.  Nikki Giovanni's first published poetry was due to her response to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and Robert Kennedy.  Black Feeling, Black Talk sold over 10,000 copies in the first year it was published.

Nikki Giovanni's fiery manner and outspokeness opened the eyes of the world.  In her early career she was named the "Princess of Black Poetry," and after three decades she is now known as a "National Treasure and a Living Legend."  Her awards and honors include over 25 honorary degrees, and she has published over 30 books for adults and children including spoken words recordings in which she reads poetry to gospel music.

In 1967 Nikki Giovanni graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee with honors receiving a B.A. in history.  She has taught writing and literature at Virginia Tech since 1987 where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

I Have a Dream

From Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin from the mid-19th century; to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech, "I Have a Dream;" to the first Black President, Barack Obama elected in 2008; all of the above have come full circle.  Uncle Tom was a name often used by Blacks in reference to another Black person regarding their association with a White person.  You were said to be an "Uncle Tom," if you had a lot of White friends, held an important job which involved you working closely with White people and/or the name was used for a Black person that just did not seem Black enough.  The novel was enlightening and viewed Tom being named as an Uncle Tom because he associated with his White masters; Tom's trustworthiness among his masters allowed him to have much freedom that other Black slaves were not allowed to have.  Tom's thought was, by following the Bible and doing good among men that the same grace would be returned to him.  His closeness with Jesus and his beliefs allowed Tom to get through even the most difficult times.  Tom knew he would have freedom in eternity.

"I Have a Dream" speech given by Martin Luther King Jr., on August 28, 1963, called for racial equality and the end of discrimination.  The speech was delivered to over 200,000 civil rights supporters and became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.  It has been said that Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech resembled the style of a Baptist sermon and the speech has been ranked as the top American speech of the 20th century.  Being a Baptist minister, MLK Jr. quoted some of his biblical teachings from the Bible including Isaiah 40:4-5—"I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted."

Some 45 years later the first Black president was elected, Barack Obama.  During his inauguration speech, President Obama spoke of Ann Nixon Cooper, an 106 year old woman who a century ago was not allowed to vote due to her being a woman and because she was Black.  President Obama also spoke of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech stating "We Shall Overcome."

Throughout the slavery years, to the Civil Rights Movement, and today in 2011, we as a people and as a nation have come so far but we still have a long way to go.  Martin Luther King Jr.'s statement that, "We Shall Overcome" still holds true to this day.

Mary McLeod Buthane

 Educator, Author, and African-American Civil Rights leader, Mary McLeod Buthane was best known for starting a school for Black students in Daytona Beach, Florida, that eventually became Buthane-Cookman University.  Ms. Buthane was the fifteenth out of seventeen children whose parents were previously slaves.  Mary McLeod Buthane's first teaching position was at her former elementary school in Sumter County.  Ms. Buthane was deeply influenced by Ms. Lucy Craft Laney, a former slave, who founded and ran Haines Normal and Industrial Institute, in Augusta, Georgia.  Ms. Laney ran her institute as a Christian missionary, emphasizing character and practical education for girls.  Mary McLeod Buthane soon adopted Ms. Laney's educational philosophies and began seeking to improve the conditions of Black people by educating primarily women.

In October 1904, Mary McLeod Buthane, rented a small house for $11.00 a month and used $1.50 to start the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona.  Within two years the schools enrollment increased from six to 250 students.  The school received donations of money, equipment and labor from local Black churches.  In 1920 the school's value was estimated to be $100,000 with an enrollment of 351 students.  In 1923 the school merged with Cookman Institute for Men, from Jacksonville, Florida and became co-educational.

Mary McLeod Buthane was quoted saying, in 1938, "If our people are to fight their way up out of bondage we must arm them with the sword and the shield and buckler of pride-belief in themselves and their possibilities, based upon a sure knowledge of the achievements of the past."  "Not only the Negro child but children of all races should read and know of the achievements, accomplishments and deeds of the Negro.  World peace and brotherhood are based on a common understanding of the contributions and cultures of all races and creeds."

In 1973, Mary McLeod Buthane was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. 

Mahogany

One of the genre's that has derived out of African-American literature is oral and written poetry.  Oral poetry may often appear in Christian sermons, gospel music and spirituals.  James Weldon Johnson, an African-American author and journalist, was best known for his novels and poems, as well as his leadership in the N.A.A.C.P.  By the age of 30, James Weldon Johnson had written, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, The Book of American Negro Spirituals, and Black Manhattan.  James Weldon Johnson was also a promoter of the Harlem Renaissance and helped promote young upcoming African-American authors.

In regards to my title Mahogany, I would like to share a poem that describes African-American women as well as a link to a gospel song by Fred Hammond that describes this poem and also describes how African-Americans feel about spiritual guidance through Jesus.

These are our mothers and sisters, grandmothers, teachers, and friends..  These are the roots we go back to, where our foundation begins.  How many times they've inspired us, pointing our dreams to the sky! These are the women who gave us wings, and the courage to fly!
Wonderful women of color, daughters of warriors and kings.. What a rich birthright they bring us!  Oh, how their legacy sings!  Sharing the pride of our people, teaching what's right and what's wrong, rising to meet every challenge, keeping our character strong......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBLYdxVe7Gg

Warriors Don't Cry

An innocent teenager.  An unexpected hero.

These are the words that describe Melba Pattillo Beals.  Melba is a member of the Little Rock Nine, which was a group of nine Black students who were the first to integrate Central High, in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.  The group of nine Black students faced mobs, daily hostility and persecution.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent for the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students.  Melba describes a White student throwing acid in her eyes that almost blinded her.  At age 17 Melba began to write for major newspapers and magazines.  She graduated from San Francisco State University with her bachelor's degree.  Melba later received her master's degree in journalism from Columbian University.  In May 2009, Melba received her Doctoral degree in Education, she now teaches journalism at Dominican University of California.

Melba's book Warrior's Don't Cry was written from the diaries she kept while attending Central High.  Her follow-up book was titled White is a State of Mind.  In 1999, Melba and the other students of Little Rock Nine were awarded the most highest civilian award, Congressional Gold Medal by President Clinton.  Earnest Green from Little Rock Nine, was the first Black student to graduate from Central State in 1958.  Earnest later graduated with a bachelor and master's degree of the Arts.  Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the attendees of Earnest's graduation.  His career span has been significant throughout the years including being the Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs under President Jimmy Carter.

                       

Here is a picture of the Little Rock Nine being escorted by the 101st Airborne Division.  The nine students were Earnest Green, Elizabeth Echford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals.
                                                                                                 

Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance, also know as the "New Negro Movement," was during the years of 1920 - 1940.  The movement was based in New York City between 135th Street and Fifth Avenue.  The span from 1920-1940 is best known for the literature that came out of the Renaissance and there was also an enormous amount of Black artist and musicians during this time period.  One influential writer during this time period was Langston Hughes, "The Book of American Negro Poetry."  Hughes published a total of nine volumes of poetry, eight books of short stories, two novels, as well as, a variety of plays and chlildren's books.

Prior to the Harlem Renaissance, books written by African-Americans were generally read by other African-Americans only.  The Harlem Renaissance was the turning point for African-American literature; eventually Black literature and Black fine art were mainstreamed into the American culture.

Where We Came From

This is a sculpture from Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux entitled "The Negrees." To represent Africa, Carpeaux chose the tragedy of slavery.

The twisting movement and facial expression of the bound woman are emphasized by the words on the base.

“Why be born a slave?”  This was one of my favorite pieces from the Indianapolis Art Gallery.  I actually cried when I first saw it.  The sculpture depicts a strong black woman, you can see the strength in her eyes but you can also see much pain in her face.  There is roping across her breast and at the top of her shoulders.  As I looked at the sculpture and realized the strength the sculpture portrayed I thought about how enslaved women would draw strength from each other to keep their family going.  This was an awesome and emotional piece of art for me and I will always remember the meaning and feeling that it gave me.  As a Black woman it helped me see another example of where we came from.   

In viewing the statute, it is giving us an idea of where African-American Literature began.  Before the American Civil War, African-American Literature was primarily based on slavery, racism, culture and equality.  At a later point the literature began to incorporate oral forms such as spirituals, sermons, gospel music and blues.

One of history's earliest African-American authors was Jupiter Hammon who was considered as the first published Black writer in America.  Jupiter published the poem "An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries."

Getting Started

Although I think I have picked a great topic of literature, I have been uncertain as to how to begin my blog.  I am sitting in the LRC building with Mrs. S at this moment and with her help, I am certain that I will be blogging in no time!