'Who Set You Flowin'?' - The African-American Migration Narrative

Twentieth-century America has witnessed the most widespread and sustained movement of African-Americans from the South to urban centers in the North. Griffin looks at this migration across a wide range of genres--the literary texts of Richard Wright and Dorothy West, the paintings of Jacob Lawrence, and the music of Billie Holiday and Arrested Development, as well as photography and correspondence. She identifies the Migration Narrative as a major theme in African-American cultural production, and argues that a dominant portrayal of migration is produced by its historical and political moment.

About the author

Farah Jasmine Griffin is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives and writes in Philadelphia.

Summary

Twentieth-century America has witnessed the most widespread movement of African-Americans from the South to urban centres in the north. This study examines the impact of this dislocation identifying the resulting migration narratives as a major genre in African-American cultural production.

Product details

• Authors: Farah Jasmine Griffin, Griffin Farah Jasmine
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 23.01.1997
• EAN: 9780195088977
• ISBN: 978-0-19-508897-7
• Dimensions: 235 mm x 156 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 426 g
• Illustrations: halftones, line figures
• Series: Race and American Culture
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; USA, Ethnic Studies, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Emigration & Immigration, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civics & Citizenship, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, LITERARY CRITICISM / American / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 20th Century, Migration, immigration & emigration, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Social and cultural history, United States of America, USA, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Migration, immigration and emigration, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Civil rights & citizenship, c 1919 to c 1939 (Inter-war period), c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), c 1918 to c 1939 (Inter-war period), Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Black & Asian Studies, c 1945 to c 2000 (Post-war period), Civics and citizenship, Relating to migrant groups / diaspora communities or peoples, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General