One of these following facts about Alice Walker should probably give you much information about what kind of person she is. Alice Walker is an American author and activist. She wrote the critically acclaimed novel “The Color Purple” (1982) for which she won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Walker’s first book of poetry was written while she was a senior at Sarah Lawrence. Walker resumed her writing career when she joined “Ms.” magazine as an editor before moving to northern California in the late 1970s. Furthermore, to get to know more about her, here are some other facts about Alice Walker you might be interested in.
Facts about Alice Walker 1: Zora Neale Hurston
Her 1975 article “In Search of Zora Neale Hurston”, helped revive interest in the work of Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston inspired Walker’s writing and influenced her subject matter.In 1973, Walker and fellow Hurston scholar Charlotte D. Hunt discovered Hurston’s unmarked grave in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
Facts about Alice Walker 2: Novels
In addition to her collected short stories and poetry, Walker’s first novel, “The Third Life of Grange Copeland”, was published in 1970. In 1976, Walker’s second novel, “Meridian”, was published. The novel dealt with activist workers in the South during the civil rights movement, and closely paralleled some of Walker’s own experiences.
Facts about Alice Walker 3: Wild Tree Press
Walker is the co-founder of Wild Tree Press, a feminist publishing company in Anderson Valley, California. She and fellow writer Robert L. Allen founded it in 1984.
Facts about Alice Walker 4: Feminist
She has published a number of collections of short stories, poetry, and other writings. Her work is focused on the struggles of black people, particularly women, and their lives in a racist, sexist, and violent society. Walker is a leading figure in liberal politics.
Facts about Alice Walker 5: Most Prolific Writers
She is one of the world’s most prolific writers, yet tirelessly continues to travel the world to literally stand on the side of the poor, and the economically, spiritually and politically oppressed. She also stands, however, on the side of the revolutionaries, teachers and leaders who seek change and transformation of the world.”
Facts about Alice Walker 6: An Open Letter to Barrack Obama
In November 2008, Walker wrote “An Open Letter to Barack Obama” that was published online by “The Root”. Walker addressed the newly elected President as “Brother Obama” and wrote “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”.
Facts about Alice Walker 7: Gaza
In March 2009, Walker and 60 other female activists from the anti-war group Code Pink traveled to Gaza in response to the gaza War. Their purpose was to deliver aid, to meet with NGOs and residents, and to persuade Israel and Egypt to open their borders with Gaza.
Facts about Alice Walker 8: The Guardian
In an article for “The Guardian”, Walker explained her involvement in the Gaza flotilla, saying that “during this period of eldering it is good to reap the harvest of one’s understanding of what is important, and to share this, especially with the young”. She also compared herself and her fellow flotilla members to Gandhi and his followers.
Facts about Alice Walker 9: Views on Israel
Walker was disinvited in 2013 from giving a speech at the University of Michigan, reportedly because a donor to the university disapproved of her views on Israel. On her website, Walker argued that “women must be in control of our own finances. Not just in the family, but in the schools, work force, and everywhere else. Until we control this part of our lives, our very choices, in any and every area, can be denied us”.
Facts about Alice Walker 10: Film
“Beauty in Truth”, a documentary film about Walker’s life directed by Pratibha Parmar, premièred in March 2013.
Hope you would find those Alice Walker facts really interesting, useful and helpful for your additional reading.
