Final answer:
The problem with writing in a picturesque dialect of African American folk is the perception of authenticity and the struggle between representing genuine experiences and conforming to preconceived notions of African authenticity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the complexity found in writing that utilizes a picturesque dialect of African American folk, as related to themes of authenticity and representation in literature. Writers of the Harlem Renaissance, such as Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, embraced their culture and used dialect as a form of cultural expression, despite controversy and criticism. The problem with such writing stems from the tension between depicting authentic experiences versus conforming to external expectations of what constitutes an 'authentically African' narrative, and the nuanced dynamics of geographic and cultural influence on language.
Criticism may arise when African American dialect is used in literature, as it has historically been seen as diverging from 'proper' English, leading to judgments about the quality or authenticity of the work. However, these dialects are an authentic representation of certain communities and experiences, as they carry the legacy of African linguistic elements and serve as an important aspect of ethnic identity. The Ebonics controversy of the 1990s, and earlier examples of Local Color writing, highlight how dialects and language can both create barriers and be a source of pride and identity for marginalized groups.