Separation of Soul and Gender: A study of for Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow is Enuf

Abstract

Black women have long occupied marginal positions and Black female writers have made use of their marginality - their “outsider within” status - to produce Black womanist thought that reflects a special standpoint on women, family and society. Ntozake Shange has embraced her outsider within status and used it wisely. In doing so, she has moved herself and her writings closer to the humanist vision- namely, the freedom both to be different and part of the solidarity of humanity. Ntozake Shange can be identified and interpreted as a pivotal influence in the development of Womanist Dramatic Theoretical Tradition within African American Theatre.

Ntozake Shange (born October 18, 1948) is an African-American poet, essayist, novelist and playwright, best known for her 1975 award-winning choreopoem/play for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf (1975). Her original name was Paulette Linda Williams. She baptized herself Ntozake (she who comes with her own things) Shange (who walks with lions) in 1971. She states, “I had a violent, violent resentment of carrying a slave name; poems and music come from the pit of myself and the pit of myself was not a slave” (Brown 115).