Contemporary African-American Writers: Pearl Cleage

In this seminar we will investigate the work of the novelist, playwright, journalist and essayist Pearl Cleage. Growing up in a politically conscious and active family that celebrated Black Pride early on and coming of age in the 1960’s influenced Cleage’s writing and political activism. As a resident of Southwest Atlanta she is exploring aspects of contemporary African-American urban life in many of her novels. Cleage is known for addressing uncomfortable truths and dedicating her work to the often unhonored and difficult experiences of Black women. Given Cleage’s background and her work, the course offers rich opportunities to gain deeper insights into various aspects of American culture such as racism and sexism, the Black Arts Movement, Black Feminism, and the significance of Atlanta in the reverse migration of Black people to the South.

This course is particularly recommended for students of the Angewandte Studiengänge.

The reading list includes What looks like crazy on an ordinary day (1997) and Baby Brother Blues (2006).