Fabrication of the Black identity as others and Narration of biased social construction of Race in the select works of African American Literature

Abstract

African American identity emerged after the inculcation of colonialism in various colonies of America where generations of the African descendants settled down creating a new identity and race. This research paper aims at analysing the segregation of black community and labelling them as others through the lens of white colonizers. It also deconstructs the structural hegemony enforced due to white supremacy on the black people leading to formation of biased conflict between the white colonizers and the black colonized people. The research paper focuses on the three major works of African American literature as follows Twelve Years a slave by Solomon Northup, Black Boy by Richard Wright and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison which shares similar plotline of racism, slavery, slave trade, invisibility and identity crisis of new race called African American community. The narrative techniques used in the three selected works are first person perspective along with the literary device of stream of consciousness. It highlights the hardships and difficulties experienced by the African American people due to oppression and marginalization of black community.