Throughout the history of African American literature there have been major discussions as to why editors have chosen to include certain writers over others, such as Victor Sejour in “The Norton Anthology of African American Literature”. Some editors believe that because he was the offspring of a prosperous free man of color from Santa Domingo and a free mixed-race woman of New Orleans that he did not fall into the category of racial discrimination because of his fortunate upbringing. However, that did not stop him from producing one of the most chilling short stories of African American Literature that emphasizes why he should be included in “The Norton Anthology of African American Literature” versus why he shouldn’t. Born in New Orleans in 1817 Victor Sejour was privileged enough to have his…show more content… Soon after, his arrival in Paris, Sejour made the acquaintance of influential literary men of color, such as Alexandre Dumas pere, the popular French novelist, and abolitionist Cyrille Bisette, who edited La Revue des Colonies, the first anthology of African American poetry, edited by the black New Orleans writer Armand Lanusse. Additionally, it was these people who influenced Victor Sejour to not only become a writer but settle in Paris as well. Thus, giving readers more of a sense as to why he didn’t need to be included in “The Norton Anthology of African American Literature” because he did not have to experience some of the racial
