What does it Mean to be a Woman?

 

Claire Connor

Dr. Harris

African American Literature 2016

1 December 2025

What does it mean to be a woman?

The literary works of Black women from the early 1900s through the Civil Rights Movement helped Black women find their place in the world by telling their stories. However, they were often criticized by Black men. Zora Neale Hurston and Alice Walker were both criticized for their portrayal of Black men in their works, while Nikki Giovanni's works were criticized for being too angry and militant. Their stories were not specifically about Black men; they often focused on the female point of view and their life experiences. Furthermore, Alice Walker is credited with introducing the term 'womanism' to describe a form of feminism that centers the experiences, struggles, and strengths of Black women. Womanism recognizes the intersections of race, gender, and class, emphasizing community, healing, and the affirmation of Black womanhood beyond the limitations of mainstream feminism. Zora Neale Hurston, Nikki Giovanni, and Alice Walker exemplify womanism! They broke down barriers and opened conversations that Black people of their time were afraid to talk about. During the Harlem Renaissance, Black writers were expected to write about politics and to write works that highlighted Black people’s greatness. However, Hurston wanted to write works that were true to her life and her experience. She talked about sex and used vernacular traditions that she grew up hearing. People, specifically Black men, criticized her for talking about sex because it was seen as “unserious.” Nikki Giovanni was a prominent Black poet during the 1960s and 1970s. She wrote about Black love and, at times, questioned the manhood of men in her works. Giovanni believed that having love was more important than having money. During the turbulent years of the civil rights movement, Giovanni opened great conversations about love, manhood, and womanhood, but was often considered by some to be too militant and angry. However, Giovanni did not waver in her style of writing and is still regarded as one of the greats. During the late 1970s and 1980s, Alice Walker’s works often featured Black women because she believed it was important to tell the stories of Black women and empower them through her stories. She was also criticized for her portrayal of Black men in her stories. Some men believed her portrayal of Black men was too stereotypical and reinforced negative ideas about Black men. They also felt that her stories lacked a male point of view and had a feminist bias. In spite of this, Alice Walker’s stories resonated with Black women across the globe because they centered around the experiences and struggles of Black women. These great female Black literary legends helped expand and redefine the literary landscape. They used their writing to shed light on racial and gender oppression and strengthen their communities through activism.