The Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a cultural revolution that celebrated black pride and identity through art. It rejected Western norms and created a new black aesthetic, using African American Vernacular English and incorporating jazz and blues into poetry and performance.

Key figures like Amiri Baraka and Nikki Giovanni led the charge, using their work to promote black power and social justice. The movement's impact was far-reaching, influencing literature, theater, and visual arts, and helping establish a distinct African American artistic tradition.

The Black Arts Movement

Black Arts Movement definition

• African American cultural movement in the 1960s and 1970s promoted black pride, self-determination, and political activism through the arts
• Emphasized creating and appreciating black culture and aesthetics rejected Western cultural norms and values as oppressive and irrelevant to the black experience
• Aimed to create a new black aesthetic celebrated African American heritage and experiences
  • Encouraged using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and black dialect in literature
  • Promoted incorporating jazz, blues, and other African American musical forms in poetry and performance (jazz poetry, blues poetry)

Key figures of Black Arts Movement

• Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) was a poet, playwright, and activist who was a leading figure
  • His plays explored themes of racial tension and black identity ("Dutchman" 1964)
  • His poetry called for a revolutionary black aesthetic and political activism ("Black Art" 1965)
• Nikki Giovanni was a poet, writer, and activist who was a prominent voice
  • Her poetry collections celebrated black pride and identity ("Black Feeling, Black Talk" 1968)
  • Her work often addressed issues of race, gender, and social justice ("Ego Tripping" 1972)
• Other key figures included Sonia Sanchez, Larry Neal, Haki Madhubuti (Don L. Lee), and Gwendolyn Brooks

Black Arts vs Black Power movements

• The Black Arts Movement was closely aligned with the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s emphasizing black pride, self-determination, and political activism
• The Black Arts Movement was seen as the cultural arm of the Black Power movement
  • Many Black Arts Movement figures were also involved in the Black Power movement (Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni)
  • Artists and writers used their work to support and promote Black Power ideology and goals
• The Black Power movement's emphasis on black nationalism and separatism influenced the Black Arts Movement
  • Artists and writers sought to create a distinct black cultural identity separate from white cultural norms
  • The movement encouraged developing black-owned and operated cultural institutions and media outlets (Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School, Black Dialogue magazine)

Impact on African American arts

• Literature
  • Promoted using black dialect, folklore, and oral traditions in African American writing
  • Encouraged exploring black experiences, identities, and political struggles in poetry, fiction, and drama
  • Helped establish a canon of African American literature and inspired future generations of black writers (Toni Morrison, Alice Walker)
• Theater
  • Led to creating numerous black theater groups and companies across the United States (New Lafayette Theatre, Negro Ensemble Company)
  • Groups staged plays that addressed issues of race, identity, and social justice, often using experimental and avant-garde techniques
  • Helped bring African American theater to wider audiences and challenged mainstream theatrical conventions
• Visual Arts
  • Promoted creating and appreciating art that celebrated African American culture and experiences
  • Artists incorporated African motifs, styles, and themes into their work, as well as elements of black popular culture and political activism (AfriCOBRA, Kamoinge Workshop)
  • Helped establish a distinct African American visual arts tradition and paved the way for future black artists (Betye Saar, Faith Ringgold)