Alice Walker

The definition of “community engagement” varies by discipline, setting, in teaching and in scholarly research. Broadly, “community engagement” focuses on benefits that accrue to the community (Fitzgerald et al., Campus-community partnerships: Perspectives on engaged research. In Handbook of Engaged Scholarship, ed. H.E. Fitzgerald et al. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2010). This chapter identifies and evaluates tenets of “community engagement” in the written works of Alice Walker, as a means for understanding the evolution of social justice efforts among African American women, in order to generate suggestions on how to build a new Africa. Walker’s written works focus on the struggles of African American women and their perseverance. She is best known for her novel The Color Purple (1982), which depicts the story of a young African American woman, Ciely, and the challenges she faces living in a sexist, racist and violent society. Other novels by Walker include The Temple of My Familiar (1989) and Possessing the Spirit of Joy (2008), both featuring the descendants of the characters from Color Purple. Noted in her works are the voices and secret conversations among African American women that help them to overcome societal struggles. One might therefore view Walker’s written works as possible sources for guiding African women through social injustice, inequity and inequality. However, the use of her work to understand the concepts of “community engagement” in social justice movements where African American women have participated has not been addressed. This understanding may be useful in future efforts to mobilize African women and other groups pushing for social justice and equality.