Fancy a little celebration of U.S playwright Lorraine Hansberry through the medium of the factlet? I know, I read your mind right?
So what makes her so great? How about these five things, for starters.
The reasons Lorraine Hansberry was awesome
? ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ was the first work by an African-American playwright to be produced on Broadway. In 1959. It was inspired by her own families’ battle in court. Hansberry vs Lee, in case you’re interested.
? It won the New York’s Drama Critic’s Circle Award. Hansberry was the first black dramatist and the fifth woman to win. At the age of 29, she was also the youngest to do so.
? The FBI kept files on her and vetted her work before it was published. They kept tabs on dozens of black writers in the US between 1919 and 1972.
? Hansberry was an activist for civil rights, gay rights, feminism, anti-colonialism & anti-imperialism.
? The only other play produced in her lifetime was ‘The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window’. It closed the night she died after running for 101 performances.
? BONUS FACT 1: (because everyone loves a bonus) Hansberry was the inspiration for Nina Simone’s song ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black’.
? BONUS FACT 2: The title ‘A Raisin in the sun’ was taken from Langston Hughes’ poem ‘Harlem’ – “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”
HER FULL STATS: Born Lorraine Vivian Hansberry on May 19, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died on January 12, 1965 in New York City, New York, U.S.
?: Unknown (if you know who took this fabulous photo, let me know so I can properly credit.)
There is always something left to love. If you have learned that, you ain't learned nothing - 'A Raisin in the Sun', Lorraine Hansberry. Share on X
So that’s my little list of five reasons Lorraine Hansberry was awesome what would you add?
Hansberry Playlist
Want more? I’ve got you covered with a curated playlist of YouTube videos about Hansberry. Have a watch below. Please note I don’t own any of these videos, I’ve simply pulled together a few items that I feel may be of interest to you. Because who wants to go hunting when you can watch in one place. ?
Flash Card
Agree that Lorraine Hansberry was one awesome playwright? Share the graphic below to your Pinterest profile and let’s get raise this lady up!
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