Problem finding and Black Writing

One of the concepts from the field of creativity research that I found especially useful for examining the creativity of black writers was "problem finding." The term refers to acts of devoted searching for questions and perspectives that might yield original interpretations of well-known topics. 

Problem finding often involves artists presenting themselves with self-imposed challenges that might lead them to produce really outstanding or complex works. Problem finding is a way of thinking about the processes of creation, as opposed to only focusing on finished products. 

Thinking about the processes of creators and considering the ways that they may have sought out new ways of framing and addressing issues gave me fresh perspective on the work that they produced. 

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This entry is part of a series--28 Days & Ways of Thinking about Bad Men & Vulnerable Black Boys.

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