Literature of the African Diaspora - Essay Example

? of Essay, English Literature ic and Modern) Literature of the African Diaspora, Response Paper Introduction It is common knowledge that slave trade is the main avenue by which Africans in diaspora found their way into lands such as North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. That the Diasporic Africans came from different regions of the African continent explains the apparent multiplicity and diversity of their culture and identity. Despite the fact that Africans in the diaspora are quite diverse in their culture and social practices, a review of literatures written by diasporic Africans shows that they have same themes, albeit in different settings. This paper explores and analyzes these themes in the two African-oriented literatures; Making Callaloo and Reversing Sail. In addition, the paper explores the role of the African Slave Trade in shaping the factors that create these recurring themes. Analyzing Themes in Diasporic African Literatures One book that succinctly identifies some of the commonest themes in the literatures of diasporic Africans is the “Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora (New Approaches to African History),” written by Michael A. Gomez. Generally, this book traces and covers Africans’ experiences and lives in the Old Worlds of the Mediterranean and the Islamic worlds and their movement into the New World (Gomez 3). Importantly, the author covers the movement into and the suffering of Africans in the lands claimed by colonial powers such as the Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French and English and the entire period of enslavement up to the Cold War era (Gomez 59). Gomez also touches on the theme of the working class African diaspora and the cultural and socioeconomic developments they underwent. Additionally, the challenges, exploits, and struggles of diasporic Africans over a wide timeframe are also covered (Gomez 79). In this coverage, a link has been established between the past and the present circumstances of diasporic Africans. The other theme that Gomez covers, which is related to diasporic Africans’ slave trade origins is the unbelievable suffering and disadvantages faced by diasporic Africans. It is lamentable that this is the situation despite the apparent creativity of Diasporic Africans. The connection between life in the actual African continent and Diasporic Africans is the other central theme in Gomez’s book (Gomez 2). According to Gomez, the continued suffering and impoverishment of Africans proper and the Diasporic Africans emphasizes the need for a deeper research into and understanding of the relationship between Africans proper and Diasporic Africans. Thus, according to Gomez, the past, current, and future of the Diasporic Africans is one of the most intriguing and ambiguous areas of study. The other theme in Gomez’s book is the influences on and the influence of African-descended people in non-African environments. Although Diasporic African communities have quite diverse experiences, Gomez asserts that these societies share a lot more than their mere origin. For instance, the role and impact of slavery on all Diasporic Africans cannot be overemphasized. Besides, the central theme and experience of slavery, destruction of African culture is the other common experience of Diasporic Africans found in many of their literatures. In addition, struggle against racial and ethnic discrimination and continued identification of common bonds with Africa are also central themes in Diasporic African literatures (Gomez 3). Some themes from the past are ancient cultures in and around Africa such as Egyptian, Nubian, Greek, and Roman culture and their influences on Diasporic Africans and biblical themes and influences. Regarding slavery and slave trade, Gomez covers the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Middle Passage. As in other literatures, it is evident in Gomez’s book that the slavery institution was practised differently in various corners of the world. The implication here is that descendants of Africa had different slavery experiences across the globe. Thus, slavery and slave trade were rather integral to and dominant in the lives of Diasporic Africans and continues to shape their culture and connection to their ancestral land. By extension, the institution of slavery would later affect Diasporic Africans’ lives as they fought against racial discrimination in the mid- and late-20th century. The other slavery-related theme in Diasporic African literatures is the liberation process, which Gomez explores even beyond North America. The other important themes for Diasporic Africans covered in the last two chapters of Reversing Sail are movement toward and reconnection of Diasporic Africans with their history, culture, and identity. That is, while they remain in diaspora, Diasporic Africans recognize and love their ancestral home. These connections are not only economic but also political, social, and artistic (music and sport) in nature (Gomez 1). Gomez’s book, like most other books on Diasporic Africans, only seeks to summarize the themes of Diasporic Africans with regards to the different times, events, experiences, and people who really connected to and influenced Diasporic Africa (Gomez 2). The other black literature is the 320-page Making Callaloo: 25 Years of Black Literature, written by Charles Henry Rowell with foreword by Carl Phillips and Percival Everett. The book was first published in January 2002 by St. Martin's Griffin. Making Callao’s main theme is the Callaloo, a spicy stew made from the leaves of the African dasheen plant. In the general sense, Making Callaloo has covered Diasporic African for more than three decades, showcasing Diasporic African prose and poetry (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips xix). Making Callaloo remains one of the most powerful publications on the modern African literature. Its founder, Professor Rowell of the University of Virginia, uses the publication to give some of the best and renowned Diaspora African writers space to showcase their talent and ideas. The publication not only covers African diaspora writers in North America but also in the Caribbean and Europe. In its latest volume, Making Callaloo assembles a variety of poetry and short fiction stories written in the magazine’s half century history (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips 3). In this magazine is showcased a variety of Diasporic African themes, just like in Gomez’s Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora (New Approaches to African History). Key among the magazine’s themes is black appeal, which is widely celebrated by Africans in the diaspora. The other themes in the magazine’s 25th year—celebration volume are racial contradiction, sexual identity, political turmoil, regional conflicts, and generational issues (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips xx). Among the fictions that bring out these themes in the magazine are Octavia Butler’s popular tales "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" and Ralph Ellison's infamous extract "Cadillac Flambe" from the much-criticized posthumous novel, Juneteenth. Others are the more recent stories by Samuel R. Delany (former hustler-an excerpt from his novel Shoat ‘Rumblin') and Helen Elaine Lee and Terry McMillan (two tales about black womanhood). Other renowned authors in the magazine are Edwidge Danticat, Charles Johnson, Maryse Conde, Wilson Harris, Gayl Jones, Leon Forrest, and Thomas Glave. The diversity of writers and themes in this magazine makes it a must-read for lovers of Diasporic African literature and culture (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips xix). In fact, a common anthology on the book asserts that its international appeal, quality, and illustrious background make the collection a favorite for black literature lovers. One common Diasporic African theme in the magazine is racial discrimination, portrayed in Caryl Philips’ fiction about the West Indian. In this fiction, the West Indian sphere is a place where whites discriminate and belittle Diasporic Africans (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips 246). In fact, the first-person narrator in the story does not want to have her luncheon near a black woman (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips 247). However, the black woman seems to resist the attempts by the while lady of rank to remove her form her seat, just to have lunch. This fiction brings out the racial conflicts and struggles faced by Diasporic Africans since historical times (Rowell, Everett, and Phillips 248). Conclusion The Making Callaloo and the Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora (New Approaches to African History) are two of the richest contemporary literatures on Diasporic Africans. They do not only give sufficient, interesting, and accessible information on Diasporic African culture but also account for every aspect of life of Africans in the diaspora, filling spaces left vacant by the absence or inaccessibility of primary materials. This book is well illustrated using a few well spread maps and picture. The book is also scholarly and concise in delving deep into the themes and cultures of Diasporic Africa. It is thus quite ideal for African and African American studies as they introduce learners to ideas of early history of Diasporic Africans, their cultures, conflicts, perceptions, and aspirations. Making Callaloo is the other Diasporic African literature that tackles the common themes of Africans in the diaspora. With its rich collection of poetry and fictions by an array of authors of African descent, Making Callaloo’s 25th-year celebration edition offers an exhaustive insight into the past and contemporary lives of Diasporic Africans. Hence, students of African and African American studies can always count on this tastefully edited journal of African and African-American literature literatures to stay abreast with the best in black writing and for understanding modern black literary practices. Works Cited Gomez, Michael. A. Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora (New Approaches to African History), first edition. Cambridge University Press. 2004. Rowell, Henry C., Everett, Percival, and Phillips, Carl. “Making Callaloo: 25 Years of Black Literature.” St. Martin's Griffin. 2002. Read More