Have you guys heard of Phyllis Wheatley? She was the first African American to publish a book of poetry, and before publishing her book she was examined by a panel of people to certify she really could write poetry because white men were just sure that a black women couldn’t do what she did. I think her case is a good illustration of how bad priors (black women can’t write poetry) can be difficult to update (to prove them wrong it wasn’t enough to have a book of poetry written by a black women, but she had to demonstrate the ability to spontaneous write poems on demand in the style requested because... (read more)
Have you guys heard of Phyllis Wheatley? She was the first African American to publish a book of poetry, and before publishing her book she was examined by a panel of people to certify she really could write poetry because white men were just sure that a black women couldn’t do what she did. I think her case is a good illustration of how bad priors (black women can’t write poetry) can be difficult to update (to prove them wrong it wasn’t enough to have a book of poetry written by a black women, but she had to demonstrate the ability to spontaneous write poems on demand in the style requested because... (read more)