Who is Zora Neale Hurston

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A Literary Genius Before Her Own Time

As an African American folklorist and writer, Zora's work was well before it's time. Much of her work was created during the Harlem Renaissance when so many strong black artists were emerging and thriving. She, however, was largely overlooked because she did not fit into the stereotypical "black writer" mold, yet she was too black to attract a white audience. Thankfully, after decades of being shuffled into the back closet of literary history, Alice Walker popularized her works in the early 1970s. Since being finally discovered and appreciated by audiences of many ethnicities, Hurston is now regarded among the classic American writers of the 20th century. I guess good things do come to those who wait, and those with a story to tell should open their mouths because even if no one listens today, it doesn't mean that no one ever will.

Zora Neale Hurston at a Glance 

Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 - January 28, 1960) was an American folklorist and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Of Hurston's four novels and more than 50 published short stories, plays, and essays, she is best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Zora Neale Hurston on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.Asante, Molefi Kete (2002). 100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Amherst, New York. Prometheus Books. ISBN 1-57392-963-8.

Zora's Legacy 

  • She grew up in Eatonville, Florida, the first black community in the US to be incorporated and attempt to be self-governed. (Her father, Rev. John Hurston, was the towns' third mayor and the second pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
  • She wrote the book she is most renowned for, Their Eyes Were Watching God, in seven weeks in Haiti in 1937. Talk about being a productive writer!
  • In her efforts to showcase Hurston's genius, Walker aided in launching the first anual Zora! Festival in Eatonton. The festival is still celebrated every year and helps to draw about 50,000 locals and tourists to the community and support the local economy.

Quotes from Zora Neale Hurston 

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"Love, I find, is like singing. Everybody can more...2 points

"I want a busy life, a just mind, and a timel more...1 point

"No man may make another free."1 point

"Grab the broom of anger and drive off the be more...1 point

"Learning without wisdom is a load of books o more...1 point

"No matter how far a person can go the horizo more...1 point

"Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but more...1 point

"It seems to me that trying to live without f more...1 point

"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hidi more...1 point

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on more...1 point

"I am not tragically colored. There is no gre more...1 point

"Someone is always at my elbow reminding me t more...1 point

"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poki more...1 point

"Once you wake up thought in a man, you can n more...1 point

Great Zora Neale Hurston stuff from Amazon 

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Zora Neale Hurston Videos 

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Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at th...

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ZORA NEALE HURSTON: JUMP AT TH...

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zora neale hurston's "Their Ey...

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Zora Neale Hurston's Hometown ...

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Harlem Renaissance- Arna Botem...

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Tribute to Zora Neale Hurston

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Vote for your favorite Zora Neale Hurston stuff 

Voices of Diversity - Zora Neale Hurston Poster, 17" x 11"

Voices of Diversity - Zora Neale Hurston Poster, 17" x 11"

AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters more...1 point

Voices of Diversity - Zora Neale Hurston, Literature Wall Poster Print, 17x11

Voices of Diversity - Zora Neale Hurston, Literature Wall Poster Print, 17x11

Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...1 point

Which is your favorite Hurston work? 

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Zora in Blogsphere 

Re-Cap: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun « Beyond the Frame
Re-Cap: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun. By memphisbrooks. Thank you to everyone that came to the Brooks on Thursday, July 9th to see this inspiring film. Thank you especially to Reel Conversations for leading a discussion about the ...
Stereo Describes My Scenario » Zora Neale Hurston Quote
Zora Neale Hurston Quote? Avery Tooley, a black moderate-conservative blogger, highlights a quote from the late libertarian author and anthropologist's autobiography: ?I do not share the gloomy thought that Negroes in America are doomed ...
Books that Rocked My World « smallpressworld.com
After slogging through the first few pages when the dialect seems torturous, I realized suddenly I could hear the characters plainly in my mind. Zora Neale Hurston creates that perfect alchemy between reader and writer's imagination. ...

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Shout Out For Zora Neale Hurston! 

Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves...

paperfacets wrote...

I have only read Their Eyes Were Watching God, but she became my hero after that. It was so touching and real. The characters were well developed. No empty flat scenes in this story. I did feel a sadness after reading it, but I was impressed with a modern view of life. Like you said "before her time."

ReplyPosted September 24, 2008

Eloquent47 wrote...

"Their Eyes ..." is one of my favourites along with Langston Hughes. Great lens.

ReplyPosted August 23, 2008

Catalysthere wrote...

It just goes to show that anything is possible, if you but try!!
Well done, you made featured lens this week on http://www.squidoo.com/groups/Socialpostingangel
watch out for your lensboost!!

ReplyPosted August 18, 2008

Recession-Proof wrote...

Cool lens, I love Zora Neale Hurston's work. One of these days stop by my 1920's lens and check it out. ~jesse

ReplyPosted May 27, 2008

tdove wrote...

Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!

ReplyPosted April 16, 2008

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by cherangelry

I am a lover of learning. With a degree in psychology, I am currently a grad student in the Occupational Therapy Program at East Carolina University (... (more)

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