Toni Cade Bambara

Start Free Trial

Toni Cade Bambara Biography

Toni Cade Bambara may not have gained as much acclaim and fame as her contemporaries Toni Morrison and Alice Walker, but she ranks with them in terms of influencing subsequent generations of writers. Bambara, like Walker and Morrison, helped define (and redefine) the voice of African American women. Bambara helped assert that voice by narrating her tales from a first-person point of view. This intimate approach to storytelling invited audiences to share in her characters’ struggles and joys. Bambara also set herself apart with her positive tone, exploring the African American female psyche through growth and happiness. Her contributions to African American literature have earned Bambara the reputation of a pioneer.

Facts and Trivia

  • Education was as much a part of Bambara’s career as her writing. She taught courses at Rutgers University and Spelman College.
  • In addition to her fiction writing, Bambara dabbled in other art forms as well. She completed several scripts and contributed to a documentary about W. E. B. Du Bois.
  • Bambara died of colon cancer on December 9, 1995.
  • One of Bambara’s most important works, Those Bones Are Not My Child, was published posthumously. This unfinished account of the child murders that plagued Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s and early 1980s was completed based on Bambara’s extensive notes.
  • Toni Morrison also published a posthumous collection of Bambara’s nonfiction under the title Deep Sightings and Rescue Missions.

Biography

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Toni Cade Bambara was a pioneering African American writer, educator, and filmmaker who left an indelible mark on literature and social activism. She skillfully used her stories to illuminate the importance of social change, particularly within the black community, by featuring authentic voices that often belonged to spirited young women. Born in New York City on March 25, 1939, Bambara's life and work have inspired many to continue the struggle for equality and justice.

Early Life and Education

Toni Cade Bambara's formative years were spent in the vibrant neighborhoods of Harlem and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Her mother, Helen Brent Henderson Cade, played a significant role in ensuring her children were grounded in black history, often visiting their schools to advocate for a more inclusive curriculum. This commitment to education and empowerment cultivated a spirit of independence in Bambara, as her mother believed firmly in raising her daughter with the same freedoms granted to boys.

Academic Pursuits and Early Career

Upon graduating from Queens College, where she studied theatre arts and English, Bambara furthered her education at the City College of New York (CCNY) with a focus on African fiction. Driven by a sense of duty to her community, she engaged in various social service roles such as social work in Harlem and became a program director in Brooklyn. Her dedication to community service led her back to CCNY as an educator, where she taught writing and fiction to non-traditional students entering through open admissions programs.

Literary Beginnings and Influences

Though Bambara began her career as an educator, she soon ventured into writing and publishing, contributing short stories with strong black female protagonists to literary journals and popular magazines like Redbook. In honor of her grandmother, Bambara adopted her surname, which held a special place in her heart as an intellectual and emotional influence. Her grandmother, Grandma Dorothy, was instrumental in immersing her in Afrocentric aesthetic values, further enriching her narrative voice.

Role Models and Community Bonds

Bambara frequently spoke of her debt to her mother, grandmother, and the collective of women in her community who nurtured and empowered her. This network of "unofficial mothers" provided her with a foundation that became a recurring theme in her work, exploring the idea of community responsibility in educating and uplifting African American children. Through her stories, she examined how these relationships shaped the identities and futures of youth in her community.

Editorial Work and Anthologies

Before fully establishing herself as a writer, Bambara made strides as an editor. She compiled the 1970 anthology The Black Woman, dedicating it to the "uptown mamas" who encouraged her to document their experiences. Her second anthology, Tales and Stories for Black Folks (1971), featured works by illustrious authors like Langston Hughes and Alice Walker, and included contributions from her own students. The collection also celebrated Black English and folklore, showcasing Bambara's own frequently anthologized story, "Raymond's Run."

Thematic Exploration in Later Works

Bambara's subsequent collection, The Sea Birds Are Still Alive (1977), delved into the intricacies of life within urban black communities, while her novel The Salt Eaters (1980) employed jazz-inflected narrative techniques. Acclaimed by fellow writer Toni Morrison, who supported its publication, this novel exemplified Bambara's innovative storytelling approach.

Films and Legacy

In addition to her literary achievements, Bambara was a passionate filmmaker, using the medium to address pressing social issues. Her documentaries, The Bombing of Osage Avenue and W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography in Four Voices, remain poignant examinations of racial and community struggles. Bambara's storytelling continues to resonate across generations, with her works being a staple in literary curricula from middle schools to universities, inspiring ongoing dialogues about race, identity, and social justice.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Next

Critical Essays

Loading...