African American Woman's cultural production is about change. Many African American writers have confessed that they are motivated to write by the constant urge to change the status quo: (patriarchy), to begin to recreate positive self-perception. Many of these writers have created woman in their literature as woman of strength and stride but also of active socio-political change. Several African-American woman, are highlighted in this chapter as agencies of change. "Nervous Conditions", by Tsitsi Dangaremja's, was one of my favorite story lines.
             The woman characters in "Nervous Conditions" show a radical change in awareness, although they are unable to change their situations entirely. Tambu represents a woman who is always aware of her oppression as an African American woman in the 60's. Tambu takes initiative to fight this discrimination and she is very anxious to pull away from the circle of poverty she is surrounded by.
             Furthermore, her parents stop Tambu's education because they would prefer to educate her brother instead. Outside of the home duties, very seldom did woman further their education, during this time. Tambu's dreams appear to be lost. Tambu's cousin, Nyasha helps her to see that it is just as important for her to go to school as it is her brother.
             In "Nervous Conditions", Tambu and Nyasha represent woman who are fully aware of their oppression and are ready to resist it. These women are redefining themselves socially. Tambu's father raises certain ideas that signify the beliefs and ideologies of men during this period. Tambu's father asks her, "Can you cook books and feed them to your husband". Like many other woman today, I found this comment to be quite discriminatory, it really hit home! At the end of the story, many of the female characters have evolved from a passive awareness. These women are ready to ris...