The African American literary tradition is defined by a constant struggle between races. Literature from this community embodies a dedication to human dignity, a persistent, indomitable spirit, and protestation of inequality in America. These ideas have been carried forward by Frederick Douglass, W.E.B Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin.
Beginning with work songs and folk tales, the literary tradition centralized itself around a theme of religion. Despite constant exposure to dehumanizing practices, slaves knew god would bring them salvation in the form of death, freedom, or a better future for their children. This hope fueled their music and stories. Later authors in this tradition look at their history and find pieces of themselves within. By writing about the problems facing the African American community in their
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The autobiography of a slave wasn’t completely uncommon, but the analytical approach that encompassed each aspect of the male slave brought questions and protestations. He defied southern ideals by learning to read and write, fighting a slaveholder, escaping slavery entirely, and publishing his story. In the north, he challenged the hypocritical standard of the unintelligent, secretive, and unholly free slave by making his autobiography analytical. Constantly challenging American values made his story the embodiment of protest.
Frederick describes one system of oppression as dehumanization. He showcases this experiences through the valuation process. Putting a price on someone is dehumanizing as it is, but placing them with livestock reinforces the claim that those of african lineage are animalistic. This one experience strips a person of any identity, culture, and free will. If a small slave child had any self perception before, it is completely obliterated. Another example comes from his work under Covey, whereupon he was brutally punished and disciplined until he