cycle of violence, Grange faces his own mistakes by
loving and caring for Ruth. Josie becomes distanced
by Grange and Ruth’s relationship and seeks solace
with Brownfield. Brownfield regains custody of
Ruth. Grange, knowing that Ruth will be destroyed
if placed in Brownfield’s care, kills Brownfield.
Grange is then killed for Brownfield’s murder.
Grange’s first life takes place in Georgia, where
he works as a sharecropper. He believes that white
people are inherently better than black people.
When Grange leaves for a better life in the North,
his second life, he discovers that whites are no bet-
ter than blacks. He sees a reflection of his own
actions toward his family in Georgia and starts
to understand the human suffering that follows
selfishness. When he returns to Georgia, he begins
his third life. His new understanding and hope is
manifested in the sacrifice he makes for his grand-
daughter, Ruth.
Walker was criticized for employing stereotypes
of violent, debased black characters in The Third
Life of Grange Copeland. However, the examina-
tion of powerlessness in desperate situations and
Grange’s personal transformative journey repre-
sent the theme that by confronting past mistakes,
taking responsibility, and being willing to love and
sacrifice, one can find grace. Grange’s ultimate
sacrifice for Ruth transcends stereotypical rep-
resentations of black characters because Grange
transforms himself throughout the novel rather
than remaining a one-dimensional character.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., and K. A. Appiah, eds. Alice
Walker. New York: Amistad, 1998.
Walker, Alice. The Third Life of Grange Copeland. New
York: Washington Square Press, 2000.
Kim Hai Pearson
Brian Jennings
Third World Press
Along with Detroit’s Broadside Press, founded
by poet DUDLEY RANDALL, and New Jersey’s Jihad
Press, founded by poet AMIRI BARAKA, Chicago’s
Third World Press, founded by poet Don L. Lee/
HAKI MADHUBUTI in his basement, remains among
the more important independent black publishers
of the 20th century. He was joined in his effort by
fellow poets Johari Amini and CAROLYN RODGERS,
whose works were the press’s first offerings. Third
World Press was instrumental in promoting and
advancing the poets and fundamental tenets of the
BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT, given its emphasis on fos-
tering “a healthy development and sociopolitical
activity” within the black diaspora.
For more than three decades, Third World Press
has provided a venue for young talented poets and
writers, fundamentally those with a more BLACK
AESTHETIC perspective, to publish and gain recogni-
tion. It has also published the work of such well-
known writers and scholars as Pulitzer Prize winner
GWENDOLYN BROOKS, who joined the Black Arts
camp in the 1970s; SONIA SANCHEZ, Amiri Baraka,
MARI EVANS; Dudley Randall, MARGARET WALKER;
John H. Clarke; STERLING PLUMPP; KALAMU YA SA-
LAAM; PEARL CLEAGE; and Derrick Bell. Its perennial
favorites include the radical best sellers The Isis Pa-
pers: The Keys to the Colors, by Frances Cress Wels-
ing, and The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great
Issues of a Race, by Chancellor Williams.
It is possible that Lee’s interest in the publishing
business grew out of his relationship with Dudley
Randall, the editor of Broadside Press. According
to Melba Joyce Boyd, “Lee’s popularity drew at-
tention to Broadside while Randall’s credentials
brought credibility to Third World Press” (234).
Lee supported the merger of the two presses, but
Randall was not interested. Nevertheless, the lon-
gevity of Third World Press, the global work it
continues to do, and the impact it continues to
have attest to its importance beyond the Black
Arts Movement. Today, it serves as adviser for the
publishing branch of the Institute of Positive Edu-
cation, which runs the fully accredited preschool,
the Bethune Teacher’s Training Program, and the
Betty Shabazz International Charter School.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Boyd, Melba Joyce. Wrestling with the Muse: Dudley
Randall and the Broadside Press. New York: Co-
lumbia University Press, 2003.
Wilfred D. Samuels492 Third World Press