Richard Wright...Criteria of Negro Writing

Richard Wright...Criteria of Negro Writing

The story by W.E.B Dubois “Criteria of Negro Art,” and Richard Wright “Blueprint for Negro Writing” was very amazing, real world related experiences. After comparing the two writers, I found numerous differences in each writer’s lessons. The African American writers had incredibly strong and convincing viewpoints. They both thought Negro writers should be poised and be able to express their lifestyle through writing and not be mortified. They writings were very much so on different levels. The writings of Negros started to take place in the 1920’s which the era of the Harlem Renaissance was. In that time African American talent was becoming popular. Both of the stories left me with mixed feelings. At times the different anecdotes discussed were persuasive and other times hostile. Overall both authors impressed me from beginning to end.
In Criteria of Negro Art essay, Du Bois is arguing that, yet again, all aspects of black life in America are merely the reflection of presumptions and assertions made by the dominant whites. While this is true, I do not believe Du Bois gives white society a large extent of recognition as they is worthy of. Just like he does not give his fellow blacks the recognition they deserve. In his continuous dispute for prominent black art, Du Bois achieves to segregate more the blacks and the whites in society. Rather than speak of human race as a whole, he strengthens black and white. “What he called the “soul” of the black folks in the United states- had to be recognized, respected, and conserved by white and black Americans alike.”(-Du Bois pg.687)While indicating that black art is good in its own right without the approval of white minds he is further emphasizing the racial divide. Instead of writing on the facts of black art, he writes on the supposed publicity expected in art and art acceptance and how black art must reveal white visions. “…today is a surprising number of white people who are getting great satisfaction out of these...

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