Author: Pickens, William
Title: American ÆSop; Negro and Other Humor
Description: Boston, The Jordan & More press, 1926. Hardcover. 183p. frontis. 20cm. Very good condition Signed by the author for Thomasina Johnson [Thomasina Walker (Norford) Johnson] the First Black woman to serve as a Registered Lobbyist in Washington, D.C. She served as Legislative Representative of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Reflecting a rich oral tradition deeply embedded in African American culture. Pickens, a prominent African American educator, writer, and civil rights activist, uses this collection to highlight how humor served as both entertainment and a subtle form of resistance to oppression. The book offers a platform for African American voices and traditions, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of the community in the face of systemic racism. Published during the Harlem Renaissance, a period of flourishing African American cultural expression, American Æsop contributes to the era’s broader mission of redefining African American identity and challenging stereotypes. By drawing parallels between Æsop’s fables and African American humor, Pickens underscores the universality of storytelling while affirming the unique contributions of African Americans to American culture.

Keywords: African American Wit and Humor


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