African American Writers/On Each Other

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A 6 page essay/research paper that reports on how African American writers commemorate each other. African American culture has a long tradition of applauding and praising the accomplishments of distinguished black Americans, as their achievements have given both solace and hope to generations who still endured the sting of overt racism in the U.S. A prime example of this is Robert Hayden's poem "Frederick Douglass." Published in 1946, Hayden's poetic interpretation of the life of Douglass expressed both the frustration and hope of black Americans at that time concerning the attainment of civil rights ("Robert Hayden"). However, while African American scholars pay homage where homage is due, they do not do so with an uncritical eye. This aspect of black scholarship is exemplified by W.E.B. Du Bois' critique of the work of Booker T. Washington. This examination of both of these works examines how Hayden honors the memory of Frederick Douglass and then discusses Du Bois' objections to the philosophy of Washington. Bibliography lists 4 sources.