What is it about?
Over time, location has been given as a basis for new and varied identities (hybrid identities) for African characters in Africa and those in diaspora, as well as African Americans (groups which are commonly referred to as black individuals). Identity has also been negotiated with recourse to race, ethnicity and religion. These elements are often linked to a specific place and are expressed in definitions of culture; suggesting location as a necessary component of culture and by extension, a major influence on identity.
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Why is it important?
Two fictional texts: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and Roots by Alex Haley, are used to represent African and African American characters. The experiences of these characters are analyzed and interpreted based on postcolonial concepts of diaspora and hybridity with their nuances, in a comparative manner. The findings contribute to evidence that regardless of regional difference and other nuances in the experiences of African American and African characters, hybrid identity creation for both African American and African characters, is tied to location-which in this case, is Africa.
Perspectives
The importance of these findings point to how individuals in society navigate their identity expressions in real life situations within and out the regions of Africa and western societies in the case of migration.
Dina Yerima
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Negotiating Black Identity, Matatu, October 2022, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/18757421-05202007.
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