- Paperback: 467 pages
- Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press (October 1, 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 155849183X
- ISBN-13: 978-1558491830
Is there an African American aesthetic, or is such a concept a
reinforcement of racial stereotyping? If there is such an aesthetic,
what are some of its characteristics? Although this anthology does not
provide definitive answers to such questions, its explorations make for
provocative reading. The pieces (written by authors like Zora Neale
Hurston and John Edgar Wideman and ranging from gospel to rap) trace
African American culture back to Africa and demonstrate the influences
of an African American aesthetic on American culture in general. The
book is divided into three sections: music and dance (by far the
largest); signifyin'Athat is, oral expression; and sports. Left out are
"visual art, film, humor [and] theater." Though some of the writings are
uneven, and there are notable omissions (e.g., the Black Arts
Movement), this engaging collection from Caponi (American Studies, Univ.
of Texas, San Antonio) will be of interest to students of black studies
and cultural studies. For public and academic libraries.ALouis J.
Parascandola, Long Island Univ., Brooklyn, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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