Finding Inspiration in Hard Times:A Tribute to Zora Neale Hurston

In the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation, I am reminded of the legacy of one of the world's greatest anthropologists, Zora Neale Hurston.  Born in poverty in the deep south during the height of the Jim Crow era, Ms. Hurston conquered obstacle after obstacle in order to follow her dreams.  During a time when most Black women didn't attend highschool, Zora graduated from college.  Working as a maid, cook, and seamstress, she struggled daily to make ends meet, and often went hungry in order to finance her education.  Having no place to live, Zora scraped up enough pennies to purchase a car so that she would be able to travel from place to place in search of her destiny. 

Upon completeing her Anthropology degree, Zora was faced with the cruel reality of racism in the academia.  Colleges and universities did not hire African-American professors during the early 1900's, with the exception of a few Black colleges who rarely hired females, and Black anthropologists were certainly not in demand.  Still determined to pursue her dream, Zora decided to work independently, traveling to New Orleans, Haiti, Mississippi, South America, and other places, gathering stories, histories, and folk tales of the people.  She submitted her findings to Black-owned newspapers and publications, and garnered some success as a freelance writer and anthropologist. 

Finally by the 1930's, after years of lukewarm success and much rejection, Ms. Hurston was extended the offer of a publishing contract.  Soon her works became available to the larger public, winning the critical acclaim of many in the prestigious literary circuit.  Works such as Tell My Horse, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Dust Tracks on a Road became international bestsellers, winning Zora the respect and noteriety she so greatly deserved.

But all the fame and critical acclaim was not to last.  By the mid-1940's, public interest in Hurston's work dwindled, and soon she was without a publisher.  Publications of her books ceased, and Zora was once again unemployed and broke.  By then in her late 50's, Zora found it difficult to find work, and often relied on the charity of friends and family to get by.  But she never lost confidence in her dream.  She continued to write, and by the early 1950's she had accumulated a mass of several unpublished manuscripts, all sitting on her shelves collecting dust.  Health problems began to plague her, and soon she was unable to take care of herself.  At the age of 65, Zora was evicted from her home and forced to live in her car.  She remained homeless until 1958, when she was committed to a mental hospital.  There she died two years later at the age of 69, and was buried in an unmarked grave.  There was no funeral, no memorial, and not even a mention in the newspapers. 

When I think of the life and legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, I think of a woman who knew no boundaries- a woman who fought diligently all her life in pursuit of her passion.  Plagued by poverty, homelessness, racism, sexism, and poor health, Zora maintained a strong sense of faith in herself and never gave up hope.  Since the time she was five years old, she was determined to give voice to the legacy and wisdom of the invisible masses, and that is exactly what she did.  Several years following her death, a revival of interest in Ms. Hurston's work soon took off, in part due to the relentless efforts of Alice Walker, who was inspired by Zora's legacy.  A headstone was eventually erected in the location of Ms. Hurston's grave, and today Zora Neale Hurston is a canonized figure in the literary world.  Her books are widely published and have become staples in every classroom and library worldwide.  Zora's dream was finally realized.

I thank Zora Neale Hurston for all she has given us.  She is a true inspiration for all who have ever felt hopeless, rejected, or voiceless.  And she is a constant reminder that no matter how cruel life can be, we must continue to persevere and follow our passions.