Bearing Witness to African American Literature: Validating and Valorizing Its Authority, Authenticity, and Agency

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© 2012 by Wayne State University Press, Detroit, Michigan 48201. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without formal permission. Manufactured in the United States of America. 16 15 14 13 12 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bell, Bernard W. Bearing witness to African American literature : validating and valorizing its authority, authenticity, and agency / Bernard W. Bell. p. cm. — (African American life series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8143-3714-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8143-3715-8 (e-book) 1. American literature—African American authors—History and criticism. 2. African Americans— Intellectual life. 3. African Americans in literature. I. Title. PS153.N5B45 2012 810.9'896073—dc23 2011045232 Designed by Charles Sutherland Typeset by E.T. Lowe Composed in Bodoni and Minion Pro ...