QUEER TRANSFORMATION AND INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES: ANALYZING RACE AND SEXUALITY IN RANDALL KENAN’S A VISITATION OF SPIRITS
QUEER TRANSFORMATION AND INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES: ANALYZING RACE AND SEXUALITY IN RANDALL KENAN’S A VISITATION OF SPIRITS

Summary/Abstract: This article offers an in-depth examination of Randall Kenan’s A Visitation of Spirits, contextualizing its narrative within the frameworks of Queer theory and African American cultural studies. Set against the backdrop of a rural North Carolina community, the novel focuses on the ex- periences of Horace Cross, a young African American grappling with his homosexuality amidst the constraints of a Christian Fundamentalist society. The analysis explores how the novel navigates themes of race, sexuality, and identity, particularly through Horace’s quest for self-transformation. This study underscores the novel’s intricate exploration of these themes, positing queer transfor- mation as a pivotal element that provides insight into the complexities of identity and community within the African American context. Additionally, the article examines the novel’s integration of popular culture references, revealing their role in bridging the discussions of racial and sexual iden- tity. The aim is to shed light on Kenan’s narrative as a significant contribution to the discourse on in- tersectionality in literature, highlighting its impact in the broader fields of Black and queer studies.

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