Calvin Hernton, emeritus professor of African American Studies and highly respected author and scholar, died on Sept. 30 at his home in Oberlin after battling cancer for several years. He was 69.
Hernton came to Oberlin in 1970 and served as a writer-in-residence for two years before becoming an associate professor in the newly formed African American Studies Department. In 1980 he was promoted to Professor of African American Studies and Creative Writing, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. Hernton served as chair of the African American Studies Department for one year.
Prior to joining the Oberlin faculty, he received a B.A. in Sociology from Talladega College in 1954 and an M.A. in the same field from Fisk University in 1956. After spending three years as a children’s social worker in New York City, he taught at several higher education institutions before resuming social work. He returned to academia as a writer-in-residence at Central State University before coming to Oberlin.
Outside of Oberlin, Hernton was widely recognized as a prolific and influential social and literary critic whose written work covered a variety of genres. He was the author of 7 books in the fields of sociology, poetry, and fiction. “Sex and Racism in America” (Doubleday, 1965) remains his best-known and perhaps most controversial work. In the book, he examined the ways in which racism operates in collaboration with relations between the sexes.
Hernton also wrote several plays and numerous published scholarly articles and poems. He frequently appeared at colleges around the country and the world to present lectures and readings and was founder and editor of Umbra, a magazine that published works by Langston Hughes, Ishmael Reed, and Alice Walker. Hernton’s work on race and sexual divisions influenced and inspired many black feminists, including Walker and Toni Morrison.
At Oberlin, Hernton’s presence will be felt indefinitely. He was one of the guiding forces in the development of the African American Studies Department, which was officially established two years after his arrival. With teaching interests in African, Caribbean and African American literature, his courses attained legendary status at Oberlin and were usually filled to capacity. “Langston Hughes and the Black Aesthetic” is the course that he is perhaps best remembered for.
“Mr. Hernton was a great member of this faculty,” President of the College Nancy Dye said. “He will be much missed… He was a lovely, lovely man.”
Yakuba Saaka, Professor of African American Studies, joined the Oberlin faculty in 1972 and was introduced to Hernton. The two worked closely together to form their department.

“[Hernton] had the hugest impact on a number of students,” Saaka said, reflecting the inspiration his former colleague provided to several generations of students who worked with him.
“The guy was a very, very unique character… He really didn’t have any sense of superiority. He was one of those people that could relate to anyone at any level,” Saaka said, describing Hernton’s easy-going, unassuming nature. “He used to throw some of the best parties. He was a joy to have around.”
Saaka emphasized the invaluable first-hand experience that Hernton brought into his writing and teaching.
“He was a bridge in the development of black literature. He interacted with people who had a huge impact on the Black Hearts Movement and was actively involved in the movement himself, from a professional street level to the classroom,” Saaka said. “He didn’t just interpret what was written, but actually lived it.”

Saaka described Hernton’s intellectual approach as coming from a sociological angle. “His stuff was analyzing people in his literature, his stuff was real. It was relevant to people’s lives,” he said.
Hernton was passionate about his work. After his illness had forced him into early retirement, his desire to continue teaching remained. The following year he taught another class.
Hernton remained a vocal and visible figure in Oberlin’s academic sphere during his final years. “He was still a peppy, funny person,” Saaka said. “He took life as it was. He didn’t complain.”