Navigating intersections of identity
A study of queer Black experiences in Uzodinma Iweala’s Speak No Evil
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7559503 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Beauty Das (Banaras Hindu University, corresponding author), Maya Shanker Pandey (0009-0003-7976-8353, Banaras Hindu University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-11 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Identities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1472-5843 • E-ISSN: 1472-5851 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14725843.2025.2465501 |
| OpenAlex | W4407462710 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
This paper aims to explore the queer experiences of black individuals through the lens of Uzodinma Iweala’s 2018 novel Speak No Evil. The narrative follows Niru, a gay Nigerian-American teenager who navigates the complexities of his identity and sexuality within the confines of his conservative family and community. By closely analysing the text, this study emphasises how the novel challenges heteronormative assumptions and examines the effects of homophobia. Individuals often face double marginalisation due to the intersection of their social identities, where multiple forms of discrimination compound their challenges. The analysis reveals how Niru’s struggles are further complicated by his status as a non-white individual in a predominantly white society. Ultimately, it provides a poignant reflection on the universal human desire for love, belonging, and the bravery required to live authentically. By placing the novel within the larger context of queer black literature, this paper argues that Speak No Evil is a significant and timely contribution to the canon, offering essential representation of the varied lived experiences of queer black people. This study highlights the importance of such narratives in cultivating empathy and enhancing a more inclusive understanding of human identity
Aesthetics · Art · Criminology · Queer · Sociology · Transgender · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |