Black Voices

by Abraham Chapman, James Baldwin (Contributor), Arna Bontemps (Contributor)

“If you don’t know my name, you don’t know your own.”—James Baldwin
 
Featuring fiction, poetry, autobiography, and literary criticism, Black Voices captures the diverse and powerful words of a literary explosion, the ramifications of which can be seen and heard in the works of today’s African-American artists. A comprehensive and impressive primer, this anthology presents some of the greatest and most enduring work born out of the African-American experience in the United States.
 
Contributors Include:
Sterling A. Brown
Charles W. Chesnutt
John Henrik Clarke
Countee Cullen
Frederick Douglass
Paul Laurence Dunbar
James Weldon Johnson
Naomi Long Madgett
Paule Marshall
Clarence Major
Claude McKay
Ann Petry
Dudley Randall
J. Saunders Redding
Jean Toomer
Darwin T. Turner


As well as:
Lerone Bennett, Jr.
Frank London Brown
Arthur P. Davis
Frank Marshall Davis
Owen Dodson
Mari Evans
Rudolph Fisher
Dan Georgakas
Robert Hayden
Frank Horne
Blyden Jackson
Lance Jeffers
Fenton Johnson
George E. Kent
Alain Locke
Diane Oliver
Stanley Sanders
Richard G. Stern
Sterling Stuckey
Melvin B. Tolson
 

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, African American, History, Anthologies, Literature, Race

816 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Frank Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this and read it back in high school, when buying books was a high luxury for a poor kid. I know I am a white guy originally from WV, but the works in here really spoke to me, in a way few other works ever have. Even though it was published in the late 60s, the works in it are timeless.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have repurchased so many copies of this book that it is unreal. I read it over and over until it is literally a set of pages with no binding. This has been going on since I was around maybe 7 or 8. I am now 41.

[Vincent Odhiambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My naivety showed when I initially read the pre-emptory notes to the Langston Hughes section of the book, he was apparently the only Negro writer who lived entirely on the professional earnings of his literary activities. I frantically scoured my mind for a riposte, Ellison apart from playing Writer in Residence at the many colleges was, it turns out, a music major and a damn fine jazz trumpeter! Same could be said of Frank London Brown who played jazz with Thelonius Monk. Charles Chesnutt and Stanley Sanders were lawyers, Rudolph Fisher and Frank Horne were medical doctors. Well, William Edward DuBois was everything. Interesting case would be Baldwin, his sojourn in Europe partly lifts him from the socio-economic landscape his peers had to deal with stateside. The political environment as consequence of the Black struggle and especially with the country still reeling from the shadow of slavery, these I feel to a great extent contributed that quirky bit of statistic. My naivety still shows mind.

[Sylvain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I've taken a full-year University class on American literature, we still only looked at two texts from African-American writers. Both slave narratives, of course. And great narratives they are, but it still pigeonholes African-American literature, and clearly there is a much larger wealth of it out there, as this book (already over 40 years old) demonstrates. Though it makes sense for it to end with the literary criticism section, it's also a bit of a letdown. Particularly strong are the opening fiction and autobiography sections, though the poetry section also has some highlights. It has definitely made me want to read more from some of the authors selected for this worthwhile anthology.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember reading these intense stories in my junior year in high school. One in particular has always stuck with me about an old and tired out share cropper and his wife who have struggled for years to make ends meet and scrape by, but finally, late in life they still have nothing to show for all their years of hard work. One day, deliberately dressed in their Sunday best, they get in their beat up old vehicle and drive into the river. Powerful story.

[Zenzele-Leandria Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this book in High School and it came back to my memory due to talking with one of my sisters about the writers during the Harlem Renaissance period. I felt that this book gave a lot of insight to a few of the top authors of that time. I am looking to purchase a copy. My mother through away my original copy with my dog-earred pages & highlights. :(

[Sheila Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite compilation of American poetry and prose. From Robert Hayden to Gwendolyn Brooks and more...a path for the community to begin its walk through the profound writings of 20th century Black America.

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering that it came out over 50 years ago, this is a remarkable collection. It's likely unmatched as an anthology of Black American literature up to 1968. And it has retained its power to shock and delight.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent anthology of the best of African American writers of the 20th century.

[Gwen Lester-Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic. I read it in high school and recently purchased it to keep in my personal library. I read through it again and got even more satisfaction than I did as a teen.

[Scripturiently Swag The Dragon-Hearted · Rating 4 out of 5]

YESSSSSSSS! (AKA READ IT!)

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read such a comprehensive literary view of African Americans. Black Voices, edited by Abraham Chapman, presents prominent and groundbreaking short stories, poetry, autobiographies, and literary criticism by African Americans. As I digested the works within, I was given a renewed understanding of the plight of African Americans in the United States. Yes, I knew the basics and particulars of unjust slavery and lack of civil rights rolled into outright bigotry; however, reading these writings provided a keener insight into African Americans' deplorable conditions and struggles towards equality (my vantage point had been stilted by attending a predominately white high school). A key passage connected African American expressions to origins of the shackles of slavery: "Much that is original in black American folklore, or singular in Negro spirituals and blues can be traced to the economic institution of slavery and its influence on the [African American] soul" (634). Perhaps this means the painful degradation of African Americans places them firmly in the roots of the country (U.S.A.) that abused them, forming a distinct identity risen from misalliance. Such a history belongs in classrooms and given the equal focus of white history and literature. Black Voices is a valuable resource.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using this book for African American Literature class, and it will suffice, if I pad it with other works. Unfortunately, I didn't get to choose it... nor would I have. It focuses almost exclusively on the 1950s-60s and almost all male writers. As such, it doesn't represent "black voices" as comprehensively as it could have.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of work

[Sean Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and short anthology. I would encourage any literature lover to add to their shelves.

[Anthony Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is over 50 years old and tends to favor the writings of the 1920s to 50s for obvious reasons. It's worth the read though.

[Troy Fanton]

10 Copies

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for Black Mother Praying
By Owen Dodson

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this for African American Voice and Articulation in Emerson College. I wound up reading the whole thing. A wonderful collection of writing. I wish I still had it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I only read a selection from this book. It contains some great short stories and excerpts, including "Neighbors."

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a selection of passages from this book for my African-American Literature class. The authors I read in this book were DuBois, Johnson, Dunbar, Toomer, McKay, Cullen, Bontemps, and Hughes.

[Jenn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book at least five times because I read it SO MANY times each one became pages instead of a book.

[Veronica Harris]

Partially read... (page 202/699)

[Evon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reading lots of different authors, poetry,essays interesting and informative.

[Pyxiqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

good introduction to many black writers and historical accounts of the "black experience".