Original Research - Special Collection: New Landscapes in Identity

A matter of consciousness – Introducing Zora Neale Hurston and Katie G. Cannon

Hans S.A. Engdahl
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 77, No 3 | a6816 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i3.6816 | © 2021 Hans S.A. Engdahl | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 May 2021 | Published: 25 October 2021

About the author(s)

Hans S.A. Engdahl, Department of Religion and Theology, Faculty of Arts, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa

Abstract

This article involves a close reading of two African American authors, Zora Neale Hurston, an acclaimed novelist and Katie Cannon, an influential theological ethicist. Texts from Steve Biko on black consciousness and from James Cone on liberation theology are used as methodological tools in trying to ascertain the degree to which Hurston and Cannon espouse a black (womanist) consciousness. A strong resonance of black consciousness will indeed be found in Hurston’s and Cannon’s texts. The conclusion drawn is that not only is there a resonance of black consciousness, but both writers also give proof of a black womanist consciousness that reveals new knowledge. Cannon’s oeuvre also begs the question of epistemological privilege. In addition, an animated critique is registered between these women scholars and male colleagues, in the world of fiction (Richard Wright) and academia (white European males).

Contribution: This article demonstrates a link from South African black consciousness (Biko) to black womanist thinkers in the United States (Hurston and Cannon). A connection is also made between male, black liberation theology (Cone) and black womanist thinking, while expounding the womanist approach, liberated from (white) male dominance, on par with all others.


Keywords

black consciousness; womanist; fiction; epistemological privilege; appropriation

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1233
Total article views: 1995


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.