Big White Fog Reading List
Theodore Ward’s Big White Fog is a theatrical marvel. First completed in 1938, funded by the Federal Theatre Project, and influenced by the South Side Writers Group that cultivated such iconic talents as Richard Wright and Margaret Walker, Big White Fog is a crucial chapter in the South Side’s iconic artistic legacy.
We are proud to present two Community Reads events that explore the themes of this underproduced literary masterpiece and place it in conversation with other works of its era. To complement these events, our partners at the Blackstone Branch of the Chicago Public Library have compiled a list of literary selections that respond to themes of the play, provide crucial context, and offer modern insights. Happy reading!
Reading List
- The Art of Archibald J. Motley, Jr.; Jontyle Theresa Robinson
- This book explores the works of Archibald J. Motley, Jr., an influential artist known for his vibrant depictions of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance and Chicago Black Renaissance.
- Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century; Hal Higdon
- A detailed account of the infamous 1924 murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, exploring their motivations and the sensational trial that followed.
- If He Hollers Let Him Go; Chester B. Himes
- This novel follows Bob Jones, a Black man working in a Los Angeles shipyard during World War II, as he navigates the challenges of racism and identity.
- Looking Backward; Edward Bellamy
- A utopian science fiction novel about Julian West, who falls asleep in 1887 and wakes up in the year 2000 to find a transformed, socialist America.
- Passing; Nella Larsen
- The story of two childhood friends, Clare and Irene, who reunite as adults. Clare, who is light-skinned, has been passing as white, leading to complex social and personal conflicts.
- Notes of a Native Son; James Baldwin
- A collection of essays that explore race, identity, and the Black experience in America and Europe, reflecting Baldwin’s personal and political insights.
- Drums at Dusk; Arna Wendell Bontemps
- A historical novel set during the Haitian Revolution, focusing on the complex social dynamics and the fight for independence.
- Ollie Miss; George Wylie Henderson
- A folk novel about a young Black woman in rural Alabama striving for independence and personal fulfillment amidst the challenges of her environment.
- Black Boy (American Hunger): A Record of Childhood and Youth; Richard Wright
- An autobiography detailing Wright’s experiences growing up in the South, highlighting his struggles with racism and his journey to becoming a writer.
- Invisible Man; Ralph Ellison
- The novel follows an unnamed Black narrator who considers himself “invisible” because society refuses to see him for who he truly is. The novel explores themes of racial identity, individuality, and the social invisibility of African Americans.
- It’s Not Regular: How to Recognize Injustice Hidden in Plain Sight?; Jahmal Cole
- This book addresses the social injustices that are often overlooked in everyday life, urging readers to recognize and confront these issues.
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness; Michelle Alexander
- This book argues that mass incarceration in the United States functions as a racial caste system, disproportionately affecting African Americans and other minorities.
- Bronzeville Nights: On the Town in Chicago’s Black Metropolis; Steven C. Dubin
- A visual exploration of Bronzeville, Chicago’s vibrant African-American community, during the segregated 1940s and 1950s.
- Black Metropolis: A Study of Negro Life in a Northern City; St. Clair Drake and Horace R. Cayton
- A seminal sociological study documenting the history, culture, and race relations of African Americans in Chicago, focusing on the Bronzeville neighborhood.
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