Create a 5 page essay paper that discusses Afro-American Literature from 1940`s.Download file to see previous pages... “Negro Characters as seen by the White Authors” is a classic article written

Create a 5 page essay paper that discusses Afro-American Literature from 1940`s.

“Negro Characters as seen by the White Authors” is a classic article written by Sterling A. Brown where he identifies seven stereotypes portrayed by American authors targeting the Negro population in America. To comment on the stereotypical discussion carried in both pieces it is crucial to briefly discuss the central idea put forth in both works. In the article, “Negro Character as seen by the White Authors” Brown talks about the contented slave, the wretched freeman, the comic Negro, the tragic mullato, the local color Negro, the exotic primitive and the brute Negro. These are all stereotypical images of Negros portrayed in the writings of so-called white anthropologists and sociologists who claim to have acquired the expertise on the colored race. As a central idea, these stereotypes indicate that Negroes are generally inferior to whites in terms of morality and IQ, which justifies their position as slaves in the society. Moreover, due to their color they add flavor to the society and are also sources of humor due to their physical traits. Also, the white literature justifies slavery by arguing that the Negros are happy being slaves as they know that this is the most easy task they can carry, amongst many other stereotypes. The poem, “Old Lem” talks about the inferiority of the colored race in contrast to the white race, where Brown writes about the injustice against the Negros prevailing in America. This poem specifically focuses on the difference between social and political power between the Negros and the whites, highlighting how the judicial system is biased towards the white population. Brown talks about how the gestures of the Negros are indicative of the suppression they face. also they are victims of mob crimes at the hands of the whites. Thus, in this poem Brown hasn’t targeted the white population stereotyping against the Negroes, in fact here he has focused on the unjust practices that the black population is suffering from. Thus, the scope of both works from the same author is completely different though the theme is the same. Both pieces are advocating for the rights of the Negros, though not directly but by emphasizing on the social constraints and the restrictive practices being imposed on the Negros during that period. However, the article typically sticks to the stereotypes associated with the Negro population i.e. the shared perceptions of the white majority about the colored community. On the other hand, in the poem the theme remains the same but instead of talking about the shared perceptions, it focuses on the suppressive patterns prevailing in the society where Negros are placed at an inferior end on the social spectrum, thus the poem lacks the stereotypical identifications present in the article. Old Lem, Sterling A. Brown The purpose of the poem narrated by Brown is to highlight the racial injustice going on at that time particularly against the Negros. However, in the larger context the purpose of this narration is to advocate for the Negroes to advance efforts for the cause of giving them their due rights. The poem aims at highlighting the intensity of mistreatment and persecution of the Negroes by the white majority. The author sheds light on the issue that the American Dream of providing justice and liberation to all is being shattered since the Negros are being denied even the basic rights (Gabbin 1979). Even the judicial system is conspiring against them as it is being run by the powerful whites. The passion behind this narration stands to be the discrimination that the Negroes have to face in every aspect of life.