The making of black female revolutionaries - growing consciousness and change of identity in the autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown

Bachelor Thesis , 2006 , 41 Pages , Grade: 1,15

American Studies - Literature

In this thesis I will first briefly outline general aspects of the autobiographical genre, with emphasis on the tradition of life narratives written by African Americans. As this thesis focuses on two autobiographies written by women, I will also go into major characteristic aspects that distinguish their personal accounts from men’s before introducing the autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown within the larger context. Chapter three will be dedicated to a closer look on their works. I will focus on Shakur’s and Brown’s representations of themselves as black women and their becoming revolutionaries within the dynamics of gender and power. I will illustrate important aspects of their identity formation during childhood and adolescence, e.g. family backgrounds, school education, ghetto life and their relationship to male age mates, as well as their slow process of identity change due to growing critical awareness and introduction to the Black Power Movement. I will also focus on whether and if yes, how, their current identity is again challenged within the Black Power Movement and especially within and outside of the Black Panther Party. Lastly I will shortly concentrate on the autobiographies’ respective closures and how the two women see themselves, directly after leaving organized struggle behind (Brown) or from exile several years later (Shakur). By writing their autobiographies Brown and Shakur take advantage of the opportunity to tell their version of the story. How the two women create their identity and depict themselves retrospectively as being quite different from their public image will be the central focus of this paper.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction.
• 2. Autobiography: General aspects of the genre
• 2.1. The Tradition of African-American Autobiography.
• 2.2. Autobiographies by African-American Women: Exceptional Conditions and a Tradition of Their Own
• 2.3. Along the Line but Different: The Autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown..
• 3. The Making of Revolutionaries: Black Female Identity from Childhood to Maturity .... in the Autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown .…….....
• 3.1. Formative Experiences Creating Identity: Childhood. and Adolescence in Assata and A Taste of Power.
• 3.1.1. Family Background and Mother-Daughter Relationship.
• 3.1.2. Living a Double Existence: School Education and Ghetto Life
• 3.1.3. Girls and Boys......
• 3.2. Awakening: Becoming Literate, Becoming Black…...\n
• 3.3. Being Black, Female and Revolutionaries: Creating Identity within Gender and Power Dynamics in Political Struggle
• 3.3.1. Gender Roles..........\n
• 3.3.2. Intimate Relationships..\n
• 3.3.3. Motherhood\n
• 3.3.4. Power and Identity\n
• 3.4. Afterlife.
• 4. Conclusion.......
• Bibliography...

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to explore the process of identity formation and change experienced by Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown as they navigated the Black Power Movement. The focus is on how they depict themselves in their autobiographies and how their self-representations differ from their public image.

• The power of autobiography as a tool for self-representation and challenging dominant narratives.
• The unique challenges and experiences of Black women in the Black Power Movement.
• The intersection of gender, race, and politics in shaping Black female identity.
• The complexities of navigating power dynamics within the Black Power Movement.
• The impact of childhood and adolescent experiences on individual journeys of self-discovery and political awakening.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the central themes of the thesis, focusing on the autobiographical narratives of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown. The chapter explores how their public images contrasted with their self-representations in their autobiographies.
• Chapter 2: Autobiography: General Aspects of the Genre This chapter explores the history and characteristics of the autobiographical genre, specifically focusing on the African-American tradition. It highlights the unique experiences and perspectives of African-American women in the genre, setting the stage for the analysis of Shakur and Brown's work.
• Chapter 3: The Making of Revolutionaries: Black Female Identity from Childhood to Maturity This chapter delves into the autobiographical narratives of Shakur and Brown, focusing on their experiences as Black women and their journeys towards revolutionary activism. It examines their formative experiences, their political awakening, and how their identities evolved within the context of gender, power, and political struggle. This chapter explores themes such as family backgrounds, education, ghetto life, relationships, and the impact of the Black Power Movement.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of this thesis is on African-American autobiography, specifically the autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown. Key concepts include Black Power Movement, Black female identity, gender roles, power dynamics, political struggle, self-representation, and revolutionary consciousness. The thesis also touches upon themes of family, education, race, and the impact of historical context on individual experiences.

• College: University of Bayreuth
• Grade: 1,15
• Author: Jessica Menz (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 41
• Catalog Number: V91487
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638056632
• ISBN (Book): 9783638947626
• Language: English
• Tags: Assata, Shakur, Elaine, Brown, Literature, Autobiography, Black Panther Party, American, Identity, Black, Gender, Power