Blacks’ Nationalism and the Quest for Self-Dignity in The New Tribe by Buchi Emecheta, Fragments by Ayi Kwei Armah and Linden Hills by Gloria Naylor

Abstract

This article attempts to evaluate Black Nationalism expounded by Buchi Emecheta, Ayi Kwei Armah and Gloria Naylor, and the various strategies employed by both male and female writers to achieve the creation of a black nation. It establishes a new form of literature on issues relating to anti-colonial nationalism while justifying the perceptions of intellectuals who set out the important challenge of addressing black’s moral decay through the deconstruction of their identity and self-dignity. It also assesses the issue of the moral decadence of Africans and Afro-Americans to highlight its foundations in the novels. However, this article argues that the struggle can only succeed if blacks take the initiative to explore specific strategies that are culturally and socially consistent with their moral values. To examine the issues in the three novels, this study draws on anti-colonialist and Afro-centrist theories that advocate blacks’ total liberation and empowerment. Ultimately, this paper argues that nationalism can be frustrating when rejected, but also vulnerable due to the strong influences exerted by the dominant power structure. As the authors of the three books suggest, recognition of black identity, equity and empowerment is an effective method of ensuring self-dignity, and social stability for a successful pan-African nation.