Böcker av Sutton E Griggs

In "ROAD NOT TAKEN? - Imperium in Imperio & The Hindered Hand," Sutton E. Griggs deftly intertwines social commentary with narrative innovation, exploring themes of racial identity, leadership, and self-determination in the early 20th century. Griggs employs a robust literary style that melds realism with elements of speculative fiction, crafting a dual narrative that probes the complexities of African American experiences during a time of profound sociopolitical upheaval. The intertextual dialogue established between these two works serves as a poignant reflection on the diverging paths of racial uplift and societal resistance, pushing readers to reckon with the implications of choice and agency within a constrained societal framework. Sutton E. Griggs, an influential African American author and activist, drew inspiration from his personal experiences and the historical context of post-Reconstruction America. Griggs's commitment to civil rights and his academic background as a well-educated preacher shaped his perspective, empowering him to articulate the struggles and aspirations of Black Americans. His literary contributions are often overshadowed by contemporaries, yet they remain significant in the canon of African American literature, capturing the zeitgeist of a tumultuous era. Highly recommended for scholars, students, and general readers alike, "ROAD NOT TAKEN?" invites thoughtful examination of Griggs's profound insights into race and identity. This collection not only enriches our understanding of the literary landscape but also serves as a vital reminder of the historical struggles that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of race and social justice.

Sutton Elbert Griggs (June 19, 1872 - January 2, 1933) was an African-American author, Baptist minister, and social activist. He is best known for his novel Imperium in Imperio, a utopian work that envisions a separate African-American state within the United States. Griggs was a prolific author, writing more than thirty books and pamphlets in his lifetime and selling them door-to-door or at the revival meetings at which he preached. His first novel, Imperium in Imperio, published in 1899, is his most famous. In 1901, Griggs founded the Orion Publishing Company to sell books to the African American market. None of his four subsequent novels achieved the success of Imperium in Imperio, but he produced a steady stream of social and religious tracts, as well as an autobiography.

"Imperium In Imperio" is a turn of a century novel which envisages what kind of leadership the Black Civil Rights Movement ought to have-one that is radical and seizes control of the government or the other which stresses on assimilation? Published in 1899 the novel proposed the radical idea of a secret underground group of radicals that is debating these issues. The faces of these two widely disparate ways are two friends-Bernard Belgrave, the proponent of militancy and Belton Piedmont, the pacifist. But what will happen when these two ideologies collide? Can their utopian ideals sustain in the face of reality? Or will their worlds descend into the chaos of a political dystopia? The novel still raises pertinent questions about the issues of Black leadership in present day America and contrary to popular belief, does not provide an easy answer! Sutton Elbert Griggs (1872-1933) was an African-American author, Baptist minister, social activist and founder of the first black newspaper and high school in Texas.