Background Information on Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston was an American anthropologist, activist, civil rights activist, author, and folklorist. She is best known for her contributions to African-American literature. She was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama. Hurston later moved to Florida as a toddler. After her mother died, her father remarried quickly. Hurston then went to live with an assortment of family members. She wanted to get an education, so she began to fend for herself and started to work as a maid. In 1920, she earned her associate’s degree from Howard University. While there, she got the chance to publish her first newspaper with the school. Due to her parents being former slaves, she was inspired to write about her African-American experience. Her father was also a pastor and inspired her works in, “Jonah Gourd Vine.” Overall, because her parents were slaves and possibly had no education, she was inspired to write all of her novels, and get all the education possible.

She moved to New York City’s Harlem neighborhood in the 1920s. In Harlem, her apartment attracted a lot of people and created social events. She was often joined by Langston Hughes, and launched a magazine with him. She also studied anthropology at Barnard College. Her writing was often focused on the African-American experience. In the 1930s she also began to work on plays. Zora Neales was a revolutionary writer during the Harlem Renaissance. Her work stood up for the acceptance of African Americans and fought for colored people’s rights. Although Zora was very passionate with her work, during her lifetime, she did not get the credit she deserved. Therefore, after her death, she was honored for her efforts for equality through her literature work.