The African-American Myth In People Who Could Fly

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Recommended: Contemporary African Witchcraft

Julius Lester’s folktale, “People Who Could Fly” explores the African-American myth, which states that people of African decent has the powers to physically take flight. Throughout “People Who Could Fly,” the “flying Africans” decide to take flight on a quest back to Africa to escape slavery and oppression. “People Who Could Fly” displays the theme of flight by showing the “flying Africans” escaping from restraining circumstances and becoming free.
In “People Who Could Fly,” the African witch doctor uses his magic to reveal “the secrets and powers of the generations of Africa” and also to assist his people with escaping from slavery. In this version of the “flying Africans,” the slave owners bring along an African with powers, which they don’t

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