Identities and aesthetic representations in the black diaspora literature

Abstract

The representation of black identity in African American literature is a subject of great and critical concern. Scholars have made deliberate efforts to address the racial issues, language, its oral nature among others; but little attention has been given to the identity and the representation of these identities in African American Literature. This study therefore, is an attempt to examine the concept of identity and its aesthetic representations in African American literature. The study engages a survey of texts in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, speeches, musical forms, rap and film which are selected as a result of their relevance to the research focus. These texts are subjected to critical analysis while references are made to secondary texts where applicable. It is discovered that the literature of the black diaspora. considers identity as a major theme in its discourse and this is represented in all forms of their literature. Identity, which could refer to a sense of ownership, is a major concern in the literature of the Black diaspora.