Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, folklorist, and
anthropologist. In fact, she was one of
the first African American anthropologists, but her anthropological career is
often overshadowed by her contributions to literature. To remedy this today’s post will address her
life and anthropological contributions.
Zora Neale Hurston was born in Alabama in January 1891, but
she moved to Eatonville, Florida several years later. This move is significant because the town was
the first Black township. Born of two
former slaves, Hurston grew up never knowing about or experiencing the prejudice
and discrimination her parents or her peers experienced. Unfortunately, when she turned 13 her mother passed
away, and shortly thereafter her idyllic childhood ended. Hurston moved from Eatonville, living with
different relatives, taking odd jobs to survive, and never completing high
school. Several of her jobs were serving
as a maid, the most significant of which was taking on employment with the
Gilbert and Sullivan Troupe. This is
where it is believed she fell in love with literature, which initiated her
desire to return to school.
At age 26 the opportunity to earn her high school diploma
was presented to her, but there was a catch: she was too old. She lied about her age, claiming to be ten
years younger (a lie that she carried with her for the remainder of her
life). She completed high school, followed
by attending Barnard College, where she studied under the father of modern
anthropology, Franz Boas. Boas inspired
Hurston to pursue studies of African American culture and folklore, and he
encouraged her to return to Eatonville to conduct her research. Shortly thereafter she published her first
anthropological works, which included a book titled, Mules and Men, and several articles in the Journal of American Folklore.
In 1935, after a brief period away from academia Hurston
returned to her educational pursuits by enrolling in Columbia University on a Rosenwald
Foundation fellowship. Her interests,
which remained on African culture, moved from African American culture to
Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino cultures.
She began to study Hoodoo and Voodoo throughout the American South and
Caribbean, particularly in Haiti. She
eventually published her studies in the work titled, Tell My Horse.
Hurston left her anthropological studies shortly thereafter,
focusing exclusively on her literature career.
She published several stories and plays, working with several notable writers
of the Harlem Renaissance, including Langston Hughes. Unfortunately, her literature career never
took off, and she never returned to anthropology. She eventually passed away in 1960 from a stroke. Her contributions to anthropology and
literature were nearly lost, but a renewed interest in her work came about ten
years after her death, which is why she is known today.
References
Biography.com Editors.
2017. “Zora Neale Hurston
Biography.com.” The Biography.com
website
No Author. 2017. “Hurston’s Life.” Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive.
Sonnet Media.
2015. “About.” Zora Neale Hurston: The Official Website.
28 comments:
What a great read! After reading this article, it gave me some assurance that even though I do not know my exact career path yet, that is okay because somehow someday all the puzzle pieces will fall into place to form the perfect path for me. I love this article because it shows you that everyone struggles to find their place and their calling in college, but that should never stop you from searching all the possibilities that surround the topics you are interested in. Also, it is amazing how two totally opposite career paths can come together to form the perfect career opportunity for you.
--Kimberly Wilbers
Akwila Cooks
This in a good article, I like to learn and hear about different anthropologist because last semester was my first time ever being exposed to anthropology. It is crazy how she lied about her age because its pretty normal to lie about that but she made a 10 year difference. Even though she had to go through that it is good that she got her education.
This is an interesting article. I have never heard of Zora Neale before. She was a fascinating lady. I find it interesting that she was involved with anthropology work but really has never had the recognition she deserved.
Tylar Toussaint
I never heard of Zora Neale until now and from what I read she seemed to be someone people can look up to. She never gave up on what she wanted to do. Being an independent woman and jumping through all the hoops to get her education she deserved. I'm glad she is known now for her works in anthropology and literature and she needs to keep being talked about for the things she did while she was on earth.
for someone to lie about their age to do something she really want to and found interest in is amazing. I love Zora Neale drive and passion. This is a Good article, i haven't heard of of Zora Neale, so it was go to read about such intelligent women.
In this article I saw that it says Zora Neale was one of the first black anthropologist after coming from a rough back ground/hard upbringing after her mother passed. I wonder where did her father go to? Did he leave her to survive on her own once her mother passed? How long did she have to fend for herself until she got on her feet enough to start schooling? Why is it that she was almost forgot about? what was her impact on anthropology to the world? I love to read empowering articles about black excellence, her going to school, receiving her diploma after so long, going to college, publishing books! The article was a good read.
-Mariah White
Zora Neal was a courageous woman that settled for nothing less than greatness in her life. The things she accomplished opened up a lot of opportunities in education and anthropology for a lot of people today. Her books "Mules and Men" and "Tell My Horse" are recognized in the anthropology field today.
Jay Westray
Unfortunately I did not find much about her personal life in the scope of my research, although I suspect that there are biographies out there that can provide that info. You need only look them up. :) As for her Anthropological contributions she has added to the realms of understanding of African American culture, Caribbean cultures, and folklore. :)
I have never heard of Zora Neal either, but she does have a very interesting story. How she lied about her age just to get her high school diploma, and got her college diploma right after that so she could start her career. This was hard to do especially for African Americans back around those times. I also felt like her parents didn't tell her about their past because they didn't want their daughter to go through life with that type of outlook on life.
Dion Howard
I wish there where stories being told like this. Zora Neal was fearless for lying about her age to get education especially during a time where there was a lot more discrimination against African Americans than today
For Zora to lie for so many years just to get the education she desired is the definition of dedication. I still cannot believe she took that risk, but for her reason is understandable. To be able to become successful in those times as an African American women was hard and very challenging, and for her to overcome those challenges and do what she did is very inspiring.
- Anthony Townsend
I too wonder what happened to her father and if her family had inspired her to seek further education. It is very interesting what some will do for an education while others avoid it at all cost, with her lying about her age. It seems that Zora had more interest in her literature career than focusing on anthropology aspect, I wonder what lead her to be the women she was.
this is a good article, I like to learn and hear about different anthropologist because this semester is my first time being introduce to anthropology. I find it interesting that she lied just to push her career farther and actually do what she loves to do .
I find this article very interesting on how Zora Neale Hurston had a rough time growing up but that didn't stop her from becoming a novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist.
I wonder if she got marry or had any kids?
-Aide Gonzalez
Zora Neale never knowing about or experiencing the prejudice and discrimination her parents or her peers experienced is touching is just comes to show how hard parents work to make sure their kids have a better life than they were exposed to before them. she is very lucky because not all parents are like hers some feel like going through the same struggles that they went through is good and helps them build character when really it just gives them a bias towards the world and may or may not discourage them to do things that they can accomplish. The fact that she did what was needed to gain her education shows true compassion in her case " A little white lie wont hurt anyone" although her work never really took off she left knowing she tried her hardest, she gained an education that could never be taken away, and she is known for something instead of nothing.
-Apreshana Page
I really appreciate this post because I do not think African Americans get as much recognition as they deserve if it is not in the entertainment industry. She is an extraordinary woman who pushed through her trials and tribulations to conquer her ultimate dreams. I aspire to be as strong as she was. Great Article!!
I commend you for posting this article about Zora Neal because she was a courageous woman that settled for nothing less than the best education possible even with all of the road blocks in her life. The things she accomplished opened up a lot of opportunities in education and anthropology for a lot of people today. That being said i believe this is a good article, I liked learning about her and different anthropologist. I'm not really sure how she managed to to lie about her age.
This article, was just affirmation, that you can do literally whatever you want to, if you put your mind to it. I found it interesting that she was willing to lie about her age in order to receive and education. I respect the fact that she took advantage of every opportunity she could when she went to school. The fact that she also branched out and learned about different cultures was pretty cool too.
It is crazy what some people will do for an education. While others who are given everything sometimes take it for granted and throw it away. I love hearing stories like this because they inspire me to take advantage of the opportunities that I have been given.
-Logan Shea
Reading this article was nice. Learning about other anthropologist is always something good when finding out new things. It’s funny how she lied about her age thought. Even though is something most people do now a days. It’s just that, that age difference was a whole 10 years. It’s also good, that even at the age of 26. She was still eager to earn her high school diploma after having to make herself 10 years younger
-Kyla Thomas
Zora accomplished things that people did not think was possible. She saw what she wanted and she made sure she got it. That took so much courage and strength to overcome the hardships that she had to being an African American and a female during that time. What an inspiration! Great blog!
Kahla Perry
Zora's story is inspiring. She was able to finish her high school education despite age restrictions. This is the first time I hear about her work and collaborations. It's too bad she was not recognized as she should.
-Cinthia Ochoa
my name is Tonii Saffore. one thing that I liked while reading this post is that It not only highlights her Anthropology contribution but her literature contribution as well. Although, she wasn't popular at the time, this post still made sure to shed light on the great things that she had done. Its sad that she didn't get the acknowledgment she deserved until she passed away. this happens a lot but at least her work wont be unforgotten.
Hi my name is Avery Davis,and I think this blog is so interesting. When I first heard of Zora Neal Hurston I was in my freshman year of high school. There is one book she wrote that I would recommend to anyone it is called Their Eyes was Watching God.
I agree, being an African American and a woman is hard.
Its crazy just to think that she lied about her age just so that she could get an education because that was something her heart was set on. It amazes me how long she got away with it.
-Kyla Thomas
We just wrote a paper on Zora Neale Hurston in my English -102 class. She did lot of great things in her lifetime and was very successful even though she had to lie about her age to get there. I have read a few of her poems and I am very impressed with her work!
-Jasmine Busby
I never knew that Zora Neal Hurston was an anthropologist or that literature was her backup plan/ second passion. Now that I do it makes sense because I learned about her extensive research for her novels including their eyes were watching god and Barracoon. This furthers the notion that anthropology can be applied to so many different fields like we learned in class about our various majors.
-Gavin G
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