Henley and Washington 1 Kimberly Washington Tyonte Henley Professor Goins Freshman Composition 12 November 2011 African American

Writers African American literature consists of either history, joy, pain, or all of the above. If one takes a novel that was written by another race, one would read about something that is interesting, not something that might be impacted. An African American writer writes to inform the people of their culture and audience that they are not alone. The words in their books and scripts are meant for the readers to open their eyes to see the passion behind the meaning. The general topic that a writer discusses is not written without passion. An African American writer writes without thinking about controversies, or scared that one might break the rules. One writes so that ones voice can be heard, and that it can be understood. African American writers write about what they feel, what they know, and the things that they have gone through. Their audience tends to understand the meaning of their words as if it was a story meant for them. The major issues that are usually discussed are struggles, faith, love, and family. Writers usually tend to stick to one issue and keep it going through the series of their books. Eric Jerome Dickey is a renowned African American male author whose writings address topics such as love, sex, and infidelity. Terri McMillan, an African American female writer, is known for her works on the same subjects but directs her writings to more of a diverse female audience; whereas Toni Morrison differs from both writers in her works. Toni Morrison writings speak on issues such as race and the injustice of society. Amongst many African American writers there happens to be one writer that opens up about different issues in a lot of different ways. Tyler Perry puts his beliefs in his novels, plays, movies, and television shows, so that his

Henley and Washington 2 audiences can have a variety of understanding the message he is trying to portray. Born on September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana Tyler Perry was surrounded by three siblings, a mother, and a father. Life for him was not a modern fairytale, and it did not consist of laughter, and happiness. When he was born, his father named him, Emmitt Perry Jr. after himself, but it was later changed due to the fact of the meaning that it stood by. Tyler Perry was abused and mistreated as a young boy by his father and three random men, and from time to time he would be labeled as homeless. The actions that took place in his childhood had a damaging impact on him mentally and physically. The fact that he had been through so much and was able to get through, Tyler Perry began to have faith in a higher power, God. The strong effort that he had in his beliefs would later show in his writing. Tyler began writing after being inspired by an episode that was being recorded on The Oprah Winfrey Show. A guest described how writing could be a helpful technique for one who had emotional issues. While starting a career in writing, Tyler Perry wrote short stories and journals titled, I Know I've Been Changed, words that told about the story of what he went through as a child and how he became who he was as a man. The reason for writing is to express ones feelings and thoughts onto paper. The way a writer writes explains their sense of style. Tyler Perrys style is very blunt and straight to the point. He gets his point across in a humorous way, so that the lesson learned is not as if it was taught in a boring lecture. He writes the way he does because he knows his audience and what they are looking for, and he understands his beliefs that he goes by. Taken the two thoughts into consideration, enhances the chances of his work being successful. Based on his past life experiences, Tyler Perry puts his religious beliefs before anything else. One would not see a play, read a book, or watch a movie without hearing a gospel song, or a hallelujah from a certain character. The words of Tyler Perry have been expressed through characters behind television screens, books covers, and stage curtains. The audience that Tyler Perry has enjoys the drama,

Henley and Washington 3 the involvement, unity, and comedy that he brings to the table. It will either make one laugh, cry, or gasp depending on what is happening. Tyler Perry takes issues that are not as serious as slavery, or racism, but issues that would be more common to today's society. The main character that plays or appears in his work the most is the well known, Madea, who happens to be played by Tyler Perry. In an African American family, there is always going to be a Madea. Madea symbolizes the one who tell it like it is, and not beat around the bush. She is one that everyone goes to for advice, but also the one everyone is afraid the go to, if one were in trouble. Even though his message is known for being directed to only black people, that is not the case. Tyler Perry writes about such things that normally a black person would consider doing, but in reality everyone goes through the same thing once in their lives. Whether one is Black, White, Mexican, or Chinese, Tyler Perry's work really revolves around everyone. One might see more brown faces in the crowd for the premiere of his shows, but if one really looks around, one would see a couple of light faces in the crowd as well laughing at the same thing. Like his colleague and fellow writer, Eric Jerome Dickey writes in an entertaining way. He differs from Tyler Perry however, in the way that he doesnt just write to teach a lesson nor does he just write about serious matters. He is commonly known to say that I simply write. Eric Jerome Dickey isnt a writer who can be labeled and doesnt want to be but allows his writing to speak for itself. Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 7, 1961 and little is known about his childhood. When asked about his childhood and life by Time Magazine, Mr. Dickey replied, "I'm from Memphis TN, grew up on the south side, went to Riverview Elementary and Junior High, dated, broke up, Carver High School, dated, broke up, went to Memphis State (Now the University of Memphis), worked at Federal Express, was a bill collector downtown at Lowenstein's (now closed), worked on campus at the college game room, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, dated broke up, got a black belt in karate from Kang Rhee

Henley and Washington 4 karate institute, pledged A Phi A, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, graduated from MSU, got a job with Rockwell (now Boeing), drove to Cali by myself, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, did stand-up comedy from Seattle to San Antonio, a touch of acting on the side, dated, broke up, dated, broke up, dated broke up, lived in Anaheim, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Downey, Pomona, Phillips Ranch, Los Angeles, worked as a substitute teacher, wrote a book -- the saga continues." As I stated before while little is known about his history, much can be said about Eric Jerome Dickeys writing. Dickey career really jumped off with the writings of his novels: Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game. In these novels, Dickey writes about the everyday life of African Americans, their relationships, hardships, and ultimately how they deal with these things while still trying to pay the bills and maintain a relatively normal life. During this point in his career Dickey was referred to as an author who wrote from the woman's point of view. I can even remember when first reading one of his books commenting to fellow reader that he wrote with a woman's voice so well that if I didn't know he was a man, I would have assumed he was a woman. He was also called one of the few kings of popular African-American fiction for women by the Times and at the time sometimes referred to as the male Terry McMillan. However, as of late Eric Jerome Dickey has set out to prove that he isnt just able to write urban relationship novels, but able to expound on his talents and reach a greater audience. He accomplishes this in 2007 with his Gideon series. In these novels Dickey introduces his readers to the darker, more masculine side of his stories. Gideon is a killer for hire and throughout the four book series one is utterly captivated by this mysterious character that is completely different from characters of his previous writing, which up until now were female. Recently, Eric Jerome Dickey has combined his writings of his previous career with those of his latter with the book Tempted by Trouble. This book combines the elements of everyday relationships of his earlier

Henley and Washington 5 writings with the thrill of violence and masculinity of his Gideon series. Tempted by Trouble introduces the reader to a new character, Dmytryk Knight. Dmytryk is an out of work former executive who finds a job as an assembly line worker. In the novel, Dmytryk is struggling to maintain his home, his marriage and his sanity in Detroit. His out of work wife, Cora, has taken to stripping to bring money into the house while Dmytryk picks up odd jobs here and there. A chance encounter in the strip club introduces Dmytryk to a way of life that he never imagined, as the getaway man for a crew of bank robbers. Dmytryk isn't cut out for the life of a thief, but if it keeps Cora happy, he's willing to do it. While it may seem as if Eric Jerome Dickey books are just inconsequential fluff that soles purpose is to entertain, that is untrue. True, his writing doesnt touch on serious issues like those of Tyler Perrys plays, but he does make a difference. In his novels, Eric Jerome Dickey speaks of the common mans woes, whether they are black or not, and explores how they are dealt with. His writing also has paved the way for more African American men and allowed them to see that they dont have to stereotype their own people just to sell a book. There are writers who are entertaining, and then there are writers who are inspiring. Among those inspiring writers are authors Terri McMillan and Toni Morrison. Terry McMillan was born on October 18, 1951, in Port Huron, Michigan, to Edward Lewis McMillan and Madeline Washington Tillman. McMillan's mother was abused by her alcoholic husband, whom she divorced in 1964 and then raised their five children while she worked as a domestic and in factories. Due to her admiration of mothers strength, one can deduce that that is the reason McMillan's fiction typically revolves around strong, intelligent African-American female characters whose personal issues and romantic relationships showcase the aspirations of working-class black women and their conflicted emotions on moving on in life without the help of a man. Mama, a novel dedicated to her own mother, relates the difficulties of a poor black family in Michigan and Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s. The main character of the

Henley and Washington 6 novel is Mildred Peacock. Mildred is a twenty-seven-year-old mother of five who struggles against mounting bills and her disease of alcoholism to raise her children. When her abusive husband, Crook, leaves the family, Mildred takes on the full financial burden of the household by working odd jobs, hosting rent parties, and briefly working as a prostitute. In the midst of trying to provide for her family, Mildred finds she is alone and longs for male companionship once again. Unable to find a suitable male partner, Mildred allows herself to sink further into depression, drink, and debt. In the end, it is the reconciliation with her daughter, Freda, a recovering alcoholic, and plans to attend community college that offers her new hope for a fresh start in life. Disappearing Acts examines the strained love affair between Zora Banks, a collegeeducated music teacher and aspiring singer, and Franklin Swift, a high school dropout and perennially unemployed construction worker victimized by racial discrimination. Set in New York City, the narrative is presented through the alternating first-person monologues of Zora and Franklin, who disclose their respective expectations and disappointments. Though financially independent and despite Franklin's alcoholism and physical abuse, Zora bears Franklin's child and assumes the role of mother and provider. The novel ends as Zora plans to return to her family with their child, leaving Franklin and their relationship on uncertain terms. After publishing her first short story at age 25 and her first novel, Mama in 1987 at the age 26, Terry McMillan became one of the first African-American crossover novelists, a popular as well as a critical success, read by everyone, and appearing high on all the best-seller lists. Her third novel, Waiting to Exhale written in 1992 stayed on the New York Times best-seller list for months and has sold nearly 4 million copies. In 2001 she published her fifth novel, A Day Late and a Dollar Short; in 2002 she received the Essence Award for Excellence in Literature; and in 2003 she published her sixth novel, The Interruption of Everything. McMillan is an urbane and witty social observer who creates earthy, realistic dialogue. While focusing on the everyday experiences of energetic, black female protagonists who

Henley and Washington 7 overcome oppressive men and socioeconomic obstacles to achieve self-actualization, McMillan avoids aligning herself with any specific political or racial agenda. Through sassy, informal conversational prose writing and realistic, often ethnic dialogue, McMillan challenges stereotypical views of African-American women and speaks to a large, transracial audience. While Terri McMillan is a great inspiration writer, Toni Morrison has to be one of the greatest inspirational novelists of all times. Toni Morrison writes about the struggles and unfair disadvantages of black people. Her topics that she chooses to discuss about would make someone from not just the African American race, but others as well realize how much one went through. She tackles issues that society chooses to not talk about as much as it should be. Racism, slavery, and injustice are some of the main issues that she usually talks about. Problems such as these are not usually discussed unless it is in a history book, so when one reads a novel by Toni Morrison, one should feel every single word she that has been typed on the paper. Toni Morrison was born on February 18, 1939 in Lorain, Ohio. Just as Tyler Perry, Toni Morrison was born with a different a name. She came from a family of a mother and father, and three siblings, and her birth name was Chloe Anthony Wofford. Unlike the characters in her novel, Toni Morrison lived in an integrating society. While going through school she happened to be what one would consider successful for an African American girl. Her knowledge depended on her race and not her age. Even with the stereotype of her ethnicity, Toni Morrison continued to be successful in her other acts of life. She graduated from high school with honors, went on to attend college, at Howard University. Her interests in school were literature, whereas she majored in English. She later then taught English at Texas Southern University, where she also began her writing career. Some of the most well known novels by Toni Morrison consist of, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, and the infamous beloved. Each novel has similarities of discussing racism or problems that black people were known to have gone through. She shows the issues in

Henley and Washington 8 different ways, so that people of all ages and races can understand. It does not matter if one is as young as a teenager, or old enough to be ones elder, novels by Toni Morrison can impact anyone. Beloved happens to be one of the most successful novels that she has written and it awarded with many awards. The novel was about a slave coming up with the decision to kill her three children, in order for them to not grow up and become slaves as well. The novel brings about a twist, whereas two of the children survive, but the child that does not, comes back as a ghost to her mother. The novel was then created into a movie, so that the world could see. Generations after generations of the African American race have either read the novel or saw the movie. Beloved has been compared to novels that bring about the issue of racism, such as, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn. Quotes from each have been made, and criticism has been declared on some part. Some people think that the moral of the story is to explicit and too much for today's society, while others believe the work of Toni Morrison is a lighten fact of our history. Toni Morrison's motive for writing is be assure that no one is going forget the actions that actually took place many years ago. She writes the way she does, because it shows how one would have actually felt in real life. In Toni Morrison's, The Bluest Eye, she writes the insecurities of a young black girl, who feels if her eyes were a different color or looked different she would be more beautiful. Her goal for writing this story the way she did, was to give attention to young black girls, because she believes they are known to be of irrelevance. One hears stories of men of different races, and older woman of many accomplishments, but no one hears young girls and how they feel, especially young black girls. Toni Morrison reasons for writing is simple. She wants to enlighten her audience with issues that is not normally talked about, but should be known. Her beliefs of African Americans literature is that it is going to take off and become successful. Its going to be wide and deep. (Toni Morrison in Interview with Visionary Project) There are many African American writers who are young, and write about fresh and hip topics, and then there are writers who are older and write about more deeper topics.

Henley and Washington 9 Either way to Toni Morrison, the future of African American literature is meant for the reader to have more choices to choose from. The motive for an African American writer is to express what is going on around them. Just as any other writer of another race, they either notice their surroundings, or they take internal feelings about themselves and make into a best-seller. Commonly literature from all races, exceed with the goal of connecting with their audience. The difference of the writing styles of African American literature compared to other races is that in black books the language is not the same. Black people talk directly to one, instead of one trying to figure out the meaning of the story. When reading a novel by, Edgar Allen Poe, or Louis Sachar, one has to figure out why the character is doing such actions, and what their motive for writing these novels in the first place. Black writers make it known that they are talking about love, pain, happiness or anything else. Writers may all share the same effects of entertaining the audience, but it all depends on how they actually do it. The works of Tyler Perry, Toni Morrison, Terry McMillan, and Eric Jerome Dickey all establish what a true African American writer may be. They write about their passion, the thoughts, what they have been through, and what is most important to them as a person. Many people from all races have read their book and have either smiled, cried, laughed, or wondered. Wondered what is going to happen in the next chapter, or wondered when the next book is going to be available. The issues that come across the pages in their novels are direct, and deep. These four African American writers go up against other black writers that write about the same issues and topics. One would think that the competition might be a stressful matter, but overall the most important thing the happiness of the reader. Toni Morrison once said A best-seller is a book that non-readers buy. No matter what color skin a person has, or what is their racial classification, if someone can open a book and be moved and inspired, then that is a great book. Books are here to form a place where the reader feels as if they are understood, or a creative world that they can go

Henley and Washington 10 to get away from the one we are in. books will continue to be here for years to come because should remember that without writers there would not be anything to read.