TEWWG Context Info by

The Great Migration

2026-02-19 16:06:02 UTC

Created a cultural “melting pot” in large cities such as New York; led to movements such as the Harlem Renaissance

Jim Crow Era and KKK

2026-02-19 16:06:05 UTC

African Americans were experiencing racial violence - many were unsafe and lived in fear. KKK used intimidation tactics to prevent black people from exercising new rights.

2026-02-19 16:06:35 UTC

Zora Neale Hurston's works were not originally recognized by mainstream audience---gives insight into discrimination that heavily impacted society around the time of her writing.

Birth place

2026-02-19 16:06:42 UTC

Born in Notasulga, Alabama, and raised in Eatonville, Florida, which was the first incorporated Black town

Women in the workforce after WWI

2026-02-19 16:07:14 UTC

Women moved to cities to work jobs, but most stayed in more feminine roles, and only 10% of women continued working after marriage – working was more of a young woman’s pursuit and not a permanent change in society

Eatonville

2026-02-19 16:07:45 UTC

The first fully African American populated town to be incorporated to the US; represents a sort of“utopian” ideal where Black citizens held all the positions of power in the government

Jim Crow Era

ldx2021 — 2026-02-19 16:07:47 UTC

Jim Crow laws were predominantly damaging the AA community, and many AA were trying to navigate what kind of lifestyles they could make for themselves with limited opportunity and rights

Lack of rights/status for Women

zti2021 — 2026-02-19 16:07:53 UTC

Around the early 1900s, many wives and independent women were working towards gaining more equality, and earring the right to vote recently.

This book was published in 1937, during the later years of the great depression, black people were hit twice as hard due to not only the depression but also job discrimination and other forms of discrimination

kmp7678 — 2026-02-19 16:08:25 UTC

19th amendment

2026-02-19 16:08:39 UTC

Women had to fight for their own rights to vote and after decades of fighting for their right was finally granted it in the 20s

Over 50 black settlements in Oklahoma

2026-02-19 16:08:53 UTC

After slavery was abolished, African Americans tried to make a life in the south by congregating into all black towns and villages.

All black towns in the south did not experience the same economic growth as white towns. When the Great Depression occurred, many people participated in migration north and west to find jobs.

School

2026-02-19 16:08:57 UTC

Zora Neale Hurston went to Howard University from 1919 to 1924 and majored in English. She attended a literary club annd published her first story and poem in the university's literary journal stylus.

Women's rights

ldx2021 — 2026-02-19 16:09:14 UTC

They were many women participating in strikes, boycotts, and protests for women to get equal rights.

2026-02-19 16:09:42 UTC

The Freedman's Bureau helped many people begin establishing these independent towns before it dissolved.

Harlem Renaissance

2026-02-19 16:10:20 UTC

Harlem, NY, had the largest concentration of black people in the world, huge diversity in socioeconomic status – led to cultural expression in the form of art, music, writing, etc.

Hurston studied in NY and was part of the Harlem Renaissance

Misogynoir, a term coined after Hurstons time but relevant, describes the specific form of discrimination black women face, the intersection of misogyny and anti-black racism

kmp7678 — 2026-02-19 16:10:46 UTC

Segregation

2026-02-19 16:11:34 UTC

This book was written during a time when segregation was not yet abolished and people of color were forced to be seperated from white peers, usually with lesser quality funding

Multicultural Education

2026-02-19 16:11:39 UTC

During the 1920's - 1930's African Americans pushed to have an applicable education for their children. This turned into multicultural education which wasn't created just for educational purposes but for the socioeconomical, political, and cultural empowerment as well.

Society

2026-02-19 16:12:04 UTC

Janie Crawford decided to be independent and which was considered wrong back then and many women like her are always told to follow the society.

2026-02-19 16:12:06 UTC

Women challenging social expectations with a new, daring styles of clothing and hair, and social behavior---"flappers"

Degree in anthropology

2026-02-19 16:12:39 UTC

Studied African American folklore and religion, known for positive depiction of voo doo practices - aspects of folklore and religion can be expected to be seen in her writing

Black Communities

ldx2021 — 2026-02-19 16:12:47 UTC

After slavery, many AA had to find places and communities where they could thrive without white supremacy, but there were still many violent acts thrown against their communities and towns, from people apart of the KKK specifically, harassing them and burning down their towns and participating in lynchings.

After World War 1 in the 1920's

2026-02-19 16:13:33 UTC

During this time women were encouraged to focus on their looks and social etiquette. They were also encouraged to raise families to help their husbands rehabilitate after the war.