Claiming/reclaiming Africana womanist literary texts throughout the African diaspora

The primary focus of this study is the quest for authentic Africana theories. Too often scholars and students examine and analyze their literary texts by applying theories that do not fully represent their experiences and cultural realities. Such is the case for many minorities, particularly Blacks. Because we are impacted by racism and economic disparity, Black people share a unique bond regardless of where they might live in the world. Because literature is often viewed as a means through which one's history can be recorded, it is paramount that marginalized people devise theories that advance our collective needs. By doing this, Africana people will better appreciate who we are so that our future generations will have a renewed sense of security and empowerment.;Numerous secondary sources were used to articulate the above research problem. They include a host of books and scholarly articles and essays that pertain to the aesthetic value in order that we can effectively determine the merit of Black texts throughout the African Diaspora. Since the race-based, family-centered theory, Africana Womanism, is the chosen tool of analysis for this project, Hudson-Weems' Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves and Africana Womanist Literary Theory are essential references.