"Half the story has never been told."

Alice Walker's prize winning novel, The Color Purple, is a celebration of Black women. Not only a celebration of our mere existence, this novel is a celebration of our culture, our relationships, and our incredible grace.

From its publication in 1982, The Color Purple has survived an exhausting love/hate relationship with the American public. On one hand, Ms. Walker's memorable characters worked their way into the hearts of many Americans. On the other hand, for many African-Americans especially, those same characters left an indelible stain on the fabric of Black American culture. Whether consciously or unconsciously, Walker's womanist themes were the main target of most of the negative criticism. Even in the 1980s, after Civil War and Civil Rights movements, it was clear that America was still threatened by such an unabashedly womanist novel.

In 1985, to the disgust of some critics, Steven Spielberg adapted The Color Purple to a motion picture. Upon its release, this 'new' version was met not only by some of the original praise and contempt as the novel, but also by new criticism specific to the new medium.

Since you're already here, follow me on a journey with The Color Purple, as Celie's story migrates from novel to film. Share in her struggles of being Black, being bold, and being female in America. We've learnt his story, now let's hear hers. Remember, half the story has never been told.

By Alison Isaac