African-American literature

the new breed of militant activist, has decided that
white racism will no longer exercise its insidious
control over his work” (Gayle, 4). In “Towards a
Black Aesthetic,” as well as in his other writings
and speeches, Fuller argues that the black writer
and critic must recognize the unique experience
of African Americans and the way this uniqueness
shapes the art African Americans produce. Fuller
asserts that African-American writers and critics
“have the responsibility of rebutting white critics
and of putting things in the proper perspective”
(Gayle, 11).
Hoyt Fuller died of a heart attack in Atlanta in

1981. In “A Tribute to Hoyt Fuller (1927–1981),”
      published in Black American Literature Forum,
      Chester J. Fontenot notes that Fuller’s “life and
      work were emblematic of sacrificial love for Afro-

Americans” (Fontenot, 47). Fuller demonstrated

this “sacrificial love” through his commitment to

fighting for social justice and equality for African

Americans and his willingness to support and

mentor African-American writers as they devel-

oped their craft.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fontenot, Chester, ed. “A Tribute to Hoyt W. Fuller

(1927–1981).” Black American Literature Forum

15, no. 2 (1981): 47.

Gayle, Addison. The Black Aesthetic. New York: Dou-

bleday, 1971.

Randall, Dudley. Homage to Hoyt Fuller. Detroit:

Broadside Press, 1984.

Deirdre Raynor

Fuller, Hoyt 193