February 6: Lorraine Hansberry
A Daily Journey Through Black History Month
A Dream Deferred Finds Its Voice
Story
In 1959, Lorraine Hansberry became the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway with A Raisin in the Sun. This groundbreaking work told the story of a Black family’s struggle for a better life in segregated Chicago, grappling with themes of identity, racism, and hope. The play’s success cemented Hansberry’s place as a literary trailblazer.
Key Quotes
- “Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.”
- “The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.”
Cultural Significance
- Broadway Milestone: A Raisin in the Sun broke barriers as the first Broadway production by a Black woman.
- Activist Legacy: Hansberry fought for civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality, leaving a profound impact beyond her writing.
Fun Fact
The title A Raisin in the Sun was inspired by Langston Hughes’s poem Harlem, which asks, “What happens to a dream deferred?”
Trivia Challenge
Question: Lorraine Hansberry was the first Black woman to have a play performed on Broadway. What was the original title she considered before naming it A Raisin in the Sun?
(A) A Crystal Stair • (B) Beneath the Surface • (C) The South Side • (D) Dreams Deferred
Why Participate?
Write your answer on the day of the Post in the Comment’s Section (include your name) below to be potentially eligible for inclusion in the 2025 Honorary ROUTES Recognition List! Those who answer at least 20 out of the 28 trivia questions correctly will earn a shoutout in our end-of-month celebration post. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the legacy!
Multimedia
- Watch: Atheist scene from A Raisin in the Sun (1961 film adaptation).
- Read: Hansberry’s essay To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.
- Explore: The Essential Truth of A Raisin in the Sun and Theatre in Our Time
Breaking barriers!
My answer: (A) A crystal stair