Black History Month: Alice Walker

Jersey Is Naked would like to honor Alice Walker for her outstanding contributions to society. She makes me proud to be African-American. 

via HuffPost 

When Alice Walker’s groundbreaking novel, “The Color Purple,” debuted in 1982, the publishing community was rocked back onto its heels by its explosive tale of a rural black woman in 1930s Georgia whose life was scarred by racial oppression and sexual violence. The novel earned Walker the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize and an instant following as a leading voice in black culture.

Since then, she has used that stature powerfully in her writing and public activism, addressing such vital issues as sexism, racism, poverty, female circumcision, the environment and world peace. In 2008, she wrote an open letter then-President-elect Barack Obama. “Brother Obama,” it began, “Seeing you take your rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina, and character, is a balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about.”