• Ridham Gupta

Ishmael Reed, an African American author, critiques the established narratives of history, culture, and identity imposed by colonial powers. His novels span from the 18th century to contemporary times, blending historical events, Western myths, modern technology, and cultural complexities. Reed presents alternative viewpoints that empower marginalized groups such as people of color, the poor, women, and indigenous communities. He explores the theme of subalternity through diverse characters, settings, and genres, highlighting how colonial practices overshadow the histories of colonized and formerly colonized nations. In his fiction, Reed vividly depicts the social realities of black Americans and discusses Voodoo, which evolves into Hoodoo, a syncretic religion. He argues that Voodoo serves as the foundation for all religions and embodies ancient cultural traditions. By challenging entrenched beliefs and media-driven perceptions about race, religion, and indigenous cultures, Reed revives the richness of African American heritage. His novels reflect the enduring legacy of slavery and the struggles faced by African American communities. Subalternity, manifested through practices like slavery, symbolizes the dominance of colonialism in Reed's portrayal. This paper endeavors to explore the pursuit of racial equality from a subaltern standpoint as depicted in chosen novels by Ishmael Reed.

Slavery, Race, History, Myth, Hegemony, Subaltern

"", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 12, page no.h546-h549, December-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2312768.pdf

"", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 12, page no. pph546-h549, December-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2312768.pdf