In: Economics
African American literature can be defined in broad terms as writings by people of African descent living in the United States of America. Nevertheless, just as African American culture and life are extremely varied, so is African American literature. Moreover, African American literature has generally focused on issues of particular interest to Black people in the U.S., such as the role of African Americans in the wider American society and what it means to be an American.
African American literature constitutes a critical branch of African diaspora literature, and African American literature has inspired both the great African diasporic heritage and, in many countries, influenced African diasporic writings. In the wider field of post-colonial literature, African American literature exists, but scholars draw a distinctive line between the two by stating that "African American literature varies from most post-colonial literature in that it is written by members of a minority community who live within a nation with vast wealth and economic power.
Although African American literature is well accepted in the U.S., there are numerous views on its meaning, traditions, and theories. To the supporters of the genre, African American literature arose out of Blacks ' experience in the U.S., particularly with regard to historical racism and discrimination, and is an attempt to refute the literature and power of the dominant culture. Supporters see the literature that exists inside and outside American literature and as helping to revitalize the writing of the nation.