The late August Wilson once said: “To know who you are and what you’re doing, you have to first know what your history is.” This profound quote is a reminder of the past, and how we have arrived in the spaces we take up today.
Wilson entered this world as Fredrick August Kittel on April 27, 1945. In his lifetime he thrilled us with distinguished works like Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The Piano Lesson— to name a few. He shared the depth of his genius in his books, movies and other Broadway plays that changed the nation’s view on the Black American experience.
Wilson was best known for his impeccable series of stage plays called The Pittsburgh Cycle which chronicled the lives of Black people during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. He highlighted the joys and pains of Black life and culture, while pulling from his own experiences as a biracial man growing up in Pittsburgh.
The prolific playwright focused primarily on the voice of Black people, and the importance of our language and speech. At one point he begin to struggle with drawing inspiration for his works. But once he was told to simply listen and find the value in what he was hearing, he began to excel. He even earned a Pulitzer Prize and several other awards for his renowned work.
The beauty in Wilson’s work is seen in the characters he created and the rhythm in which they live their lives. As Denzel Washington noted in an interview: “Wilson’s stories are all so familiar, and feel familiar to any Black person.”
He drew inspiration from everywhere. Each character was someone he may have heard, seen in his neighborhood, saw walking down the street or even been in love with.
Viola Davis remembers the impact that August Wilson had on her.
“He was the one writer who saw me, I mean really saw me and saw people like me,” she said in an interview.
This is the same emotion that many feel today when they experience his work. There is always a key lesson within Wilson’s writing, that takes the viewer or reader deeper than just the surface.
“We are who we are today in society because of the things that have happened prior to this moment,” Wilson was once quoted saying.
He made sure to emphasize the importance of our past and connect it to where we are today. His works remain relevant and continue to help us frame our lives as we progress. For that, we are forever grateful.
Thank you Mr. August Wilson.
