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          Joyce A. Joyce starts off her writing by projecting her students confusion of James Baldwin’s literary text upon the reader, forcing us to answer the same rhetorical questions she failed to. Throughout her essay Joyce’s main idea is addressing and creating the divide between the responsibilities of a creative writer and of the literary critic. Joyce states that the predominant theme in African American literature is  that of liberation and release form oppression, which shapes the growth and development of black literature. Joyce advocates that the role of the literary critic is to push the boundaries of creativity and to “force ideas to the surface,” while the role of the creative writer is to use “language as a means of communication to bind people together.”

          While reading the passage it becomes abundantly clear that Joyce herself is a literary critic. In my personal opinion, Joyce’s use of citation across African American literature and her jumps throughout African American history, requires the reader to have known most of her sited texts to fully comprehend her objective. Through her extensive knowledge of African American Literature Joyce develops her credibility, allowing her to appeal to a wider audience. 

          “Turner explains ‘When a white publisher has wanted a black man to write about Afro- American Literature, the publisher generally has turned to a famous creative writer”

          This resonated with me because it is highlights the affect of social status on societal influence. The publishers turn to a famous writer regardless of their experience within the topic. This is apparent in todays society, for example, during the presidential elections people of high social status such as actors, singers, and other entertainers are pressured for their political points of view, although they lack the proper credentials. Often people who are more knowledgeable  about a topic are disregarded because of their place within society. This social phenomenon hinders societal progress because ideas of “commoners” are disregarded while the views of house hold names continue to shape the the mind of the average man.