From the Archives: An interview with anthropologist Irma McClaurin dives into the process and meaning behind creating an archival home for Black feminist work.
, an acclaimed writer, poet, and playwright active during the Harlem Renaissance. Hurston’s career as a trailblazing anthropologist is less documented than her literary persona—likely because her fieldwork centered on her own community in Eatonville, Florida, and other Afro-descendant peoples and traditions throughout the Americas at a time when these issues were largely disapproved of in academic spaces.
That experience—along with others throughout her long career as an activist scholar, Black feminist speaker, poet, award-winning columnist, and consultant—compelled McClaurin to eventually start her own archive in 2016. The at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries is a growing repository of materials that reflect Black women’s intellectual contributions from across the African diaspora.
SAPIENS fellow and anthropologist Eshe Lewis spoke to McClaurin by Zoom in August. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.I began very early on to save things. My mother saved the poetry books that I started writing when I was 8 years old. I understood that the drafts of my poems were as important as the finished product. It was important for me to see where I started and not just where I ended up.
Zora Neale Hurston conducted anthropological research in her hometown of Eatonville, Florida—one among many of her fieldwork sites in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Central America.You’ve spent a lot of time in the archives researching Zora Neale Hurston. What did you learn through that process?
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Navy Pier celebrates Black History Month with Black Makers MarketNavy Pier is honored to celebrate in Black History Month with a new Black Makers Market, live art studio and staff highlights.
Read more »
Black Girl Magic Museum celebrates Black women and their impactThe Black Girl Magic Museum will open in Dallas the first weekend in March. Each exhibit showcases some of the contributions Black women have made — past and present.
Read more »
Black History Heroes: Earl Lloyd, the NBA's first Black player, moved basketball forwardUSA TODAY Sports is publishing the series “28 Black Stories in 28 Days,' during BlackHistoryMonth We examine issues Black athletes continue to face in this nation. Here is one of those stories. Earl Lloyd, the NBA's first Black player, was a force.
Read more »
Black Music Action Coalition and Academy of Country Music Launch Program for Black Artists and ProfessionalsThe Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and Academy of Country Music have come together to launch OnRamp, a program set to empower the next generation of Black leaders. 👏
Read more »
Pioneer rap artist YoYo inspires youth at Black history museumRapper and actress Yolanda Whitaker, also known as YoYo, paid a special visit to the Bay Area Saturday to speak to youth and families in Redwood City.
Read more »