Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you playwright, writer, and activist, Lorraine Hansberry. In 1959, at age 29, she became the first African American dramatist and the youngest playwright to win the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for her Broadway play, A Raisin in the Sun which featured the struggles of African Americans living under racial segregation in Chicago. The title of the play was taken from the poem, “Harlem” by Langston Hughes: “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—and then run?”
In Hanberry’s early years in New York, she worked at the Pan-African newspaper Freedom, with intellectuals such as Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois. During this time, as an activist, she participated in civil rights demonstrations and she fought against the oppression of women, race discrimination, poverty, and class.
She became
close friends with James Baldwin and Nina Simone. She was also the inspiration
for Nina Simone’s song, “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Although she is gone,
she will definitely not be forgotten for the trailblazer that she was (1930 –
1965).
Writing Tip:
When writing plays, start with having a general idea of what the play will be
about. Then research, plan, plot and create your characters to bring the story
to life on stage.
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