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Great African American Authors

Great African American Authors

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One of the amazing American sagas is the history of African American literature. It is a history of a literature that rose out of slavery, oppression, and racism to become one of the great literary traditions in the world. This eight part series brings to light the accomplishments of over 40 brilliant writers, who against all odds wrote great novels, plays and poetry. The authors and works are placed within the context of broader social, cultural, and historic events, including slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, the civil rights movement, and more.  

Wide shot of a university plaza with several multi-story white and red buildings. Caption. Of every major American university's curriculum.
Great African American Authors
Episode 1
28 minutes
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Interview with young man in an office setting. He is identified as Anthony Sze-Fai Shiu, P, H, D, Professor of English, University of Missouri Kansas City. Caption. Who would help African Americans and America, as well.
Great African American Authors
Episode 2
28 minutes 18 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Middle-aged black man looks just off camera with an incredulous expression like he is speaking to camera for an interview. Caption. Give him blackness, and then bid him to sing?
Great African American Authors
Episode 3
28 minutes 49 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Interview with middle-aged Black man in an office setting. He is identified as Marlon Ross, PhD, Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Virginia. Caption. A confrontation between a subjugated, Black protagonist.
Great African American Authors
Episode 4
28 minutes 38 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white photo of a man wearing sunglasses standing next to a fifties-era vehicle parked in front of a storefront.
Great African American Authors
Episode 5
28 minutes
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white photo of a young Maya Angelou smiling in a room with several African masks and sculptures. Caption. Far stranger than most of the characters that she's created.
Great African American Authors
Episode 6
28 minutes 55 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Interview with man wearing a business suit in an office setting. He's looking up with a thoughtful expression and gesturing with his hands. Caption. One that helped to fix.
Great African American Authors
Episode 7
27 minutes 58 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Interview with Black woman wearing a brown jacket and white blouse against a bookshelf backdrop. Caption. Is a story that shows the sort of strength that he had.
Great African American Authors
Episode 8
27 minutes 45 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
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Funding provided by the Department of Education

Administered by the National Association of the Deaf