American Experience Season 35 Episode 2 Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space

Zora Neale Hurston is an American writer, folklorist, and anthropologist who claimed a space in American literature as a prominent African American woman during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. In this episode of American Experience, season 35 episode 2, viewers get an intimate look at the life and work of Hurston, who challenged the social norms of her time by embracing her black identity and Southern rural roots and crafting a literary voice that was unapologetically authentic.

While Hurston was celebrated as a novelist, short story writer, and playwright during her lifetime, her legacy was somewhat overlooked in the years after her death in 1960. This episode seeks to rectify that, by chronicling the arc of her life from her birth in the small town of Notasulga, Alabama, to her education at Howard University, and her eventual emergence as a chronicler of African American culture. Along the way, viewers are treated to richly detailed historical context, from the rise of Jim Crow segregation in the early twentieth century to the explosion of African American cultural expression in New York City's Harlem neighborhood.

One of the most compelling aspects of Hurston's life and work is her refusal to conform to the highly restrictive expectations of race, gender, and class that defined her time. Through interviews with scholars, artists, and Hurston's own family members, the episode paints a vivid picture of the ways in which Hurston used her writing to celebrate the beauty and resilience of black life in the face of tremendous adversity. Her most celebrated novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is a testament to the power of self-expression and the transformative potential of love, even in a world that sought to deny African Americans their humanity. Hurston's commitment to telling the stories of working-class and rural black people was revolutionary, and her vibrant and lyrical prose continues to resonate with readers today.

Still, Hurston was not without her critics, and the episode is careful to address the ways in which her work has been both celebrated and denigrated. Hurston's politically conservative views and her penchant for anthropological research that sought to document black culture through the lens of the outsider have led some to question her commitment to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. However, the episode offers a nuanced and complex portrait of Hurston that recognizes both her accomplishments and her limitations.

Ultimately, Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of a towering figure in American literature. Through archival footage, readings of her work, and expert commentary, viewers come away with a deep appreciation for Hurston's unique voice and her lasting impact on American culture. Whether you're a longtime fan of Hurston's work or new to her legacy, this episode is a must-see for anyone interested in the rich and varied history of African American literature.