3+Literature+by+black+Americans+in+the+1950s

Literature by Black Americans in the 1950's

Black writers have contributed to some of the most important works to American Literature. They range from slavery to rascism. With educational opportunities increasing for blacks in the 1950's, the audience for black writers had grown. Life began to change for black people in America after World War II. Many decided to move north and escape racism of the south. In the northern cities, work was available. This change helped the civil rights movement and a new way of exploring life in 1950 black literature.

After the Civil War, Frederick Douglass was one of the most well known person in the US. He focused on supporting the rights of women. Douglass fought for rights for all the African American people. Douglass political career started to grow. Frederick published a book and it was named “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”. His book is about the tough life on the plantations before he escaped to New York. Fredericks book is best described as senseless acts of cruelty from his masters as well as the general life of slaves.

Another great black literature writer was Langston Hughes. He was a poet, social activist and playwriter. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is one of Hughes’s most famous works. The poem was the voice of the black community in a time of great racial intolerance in America. Hughes helped unite black communities when their voice was not appreciated by the white societies. In Langstons works of literature he is best known for tries stressing the theme of "black is beautiful".

//African American Literature//. //N.p.//, n.d. Web. .