"Instead of presenting the folklore of African Americans that represents a legacy of wisdom, honor, and the victories won even as African Americans face insurmountable odds, surviving brutalities heaped on them in the Western world, Abrahams and Dance provide their readers with the most obscene literature created by the most dislocated African Americans they could find" (p. 10). Why do some scholars focus on negative and distorted portrayals of African American folklore, and how does this affect the way African American culture is understood?

"Abrahams argued (in an allegedly earnest fashion) that Europeans must share the stage with other worldviews and that educational measures must be taken to provide all Americans with a greater understanding of African American culture. However, the stories he presents in his books Deep Down in the Jungle (Abrahams, 1970a) and Positively Black (Abrahams, 1970b) are encumbered with tales of disorderly Africans engaged in uncontrolled immorality" (p. 10). This quote challenged me by showing how even good intentions can still spread harmful stereotypes. Abrahams, while trying to educate, ended up reinforcing negative views of African Americans. It reminded me how important it is to represent cultures carefully and avoid making unfair generalizations

"Hurston contended (1981) that many white writers have erroneously and callously tried to influence readers into believing that the African Americans' mode of speaking is a "weird thing," full of "ams" and "Ises," and lacking in grammatical rules and patterns that govern its use" (p. 67). This quote affirms my understanding of how African American folklore, along with the language used in it, has been misrepresented and exploited throughout history. It highlights the importance of critically examining the portrayal of African American culture, as even the language spoken by African Americans was distorted to perpetuate stereotypes.

"Zora Neale Hurston (1995) referred to African American folk- lore as being the "boiled-down juice of human living" (p. 875). This quote emphasizes how African American folklore is not just a collection of stories but encapsulates deep insights into human life and experiences. It connects with the idea that folklore embodies larger truths and is an essential part of African American history, helping to rationalize and express the natural world. It also reflects the importance of folklore in understanding the African American worldview.