PROMOTING EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THROUGH THE USE OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

This research article explores the themes of slavery and racism as depicted in two seminal works of American literature: The Bondman’s Narrative by Hannah Crafts and The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt. By examining both novels, this paper delves into the ways in which each author portrays the economic, social, and psychological implications of slavery and the persistence of racial hierarchies after the Civil War. Through detailed character analysis and a comparative approach, the paper argues that these works reveal significant insights into historical racial oppression and provide a lens through which we can better understand contemporary struggles for racial justice. Drawing connections between these historical texts and modern social issues, this study sheds light on the enduring legacy of systemic racism in American society.