Author: Hannah McCormick

While trying to grasp an understanding of the Black Arts Movement, we as the reader often miss the opportunity in front of us, which is to interpret it in a multitude of different perspectives. The Black Arts Movement is generally defined as, “…radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community. Black Art is the aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept. As such, it envisions an art that speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of Black America.” (Neal, 784). This movement has had an influential impact on the idea of non-violent protesting. Neal discusses the idea that there are only two ways to see this country which is white and black. While it doesn’t seem this cut and dry in most readings you come across regarding the Civil Rights movement, the artistic side of things sees the world as a canvas to express the oppression and struggle that the African American community has faced over the course of this movement. Those involved believe that the ways in which Western culture or white people interpret art and music needs to be revamped and modernized to fit the voices of our country as a whole, which would mean giving the African American community a voice of their own and integrating said voice into our daily practices, “We must destroy Faulkner, dick, jane, and other perpetrators of evil. It’s time for DuBois, Nat Turner, and Kwame Nkrumah. As Frantz Fanon points out: destroy the culture and you destroy the people. This must not happen. Black artists are culture stabilizers; bringing back old values, and introducing new ones. Black Art will talk to the people and with the will of the people stop impending “protective custody.” (Neal, 784). The most influential voices in literature are those who should use their power and notoriety to promote and lift up those voices being squashed down by society and the prejudice put upon them simply because of their culture and race. Voices such as Faulkner could take this perspective of being seen as this evil, villainous character and open their minds to the possibility that they can influence so many to become inclusive and express love rather than hate to those who appear differently than they do. 

While the emotional side of this topic is important, we must also look into the ethical aspects of this movement and what we can do to improve the system in order to stop the oppression of the African American community. When discussing civil rights, the line between right and wrong seems to fade as people think that their actions don’t have consequences. Neal wrote, “It is this natural reaction to an alien sensibility that informs the cultural attitudes of the Black Arts and the Black Power movement. It is a profound ethical sense that makes a Black artist question a society in which art is one thing and the actions of men another. The Black Arts Movement believes that your ethics and your aesthetics are one. That the contradiction between ethics and aesthetics in western society is symptomatic of a dying culture.” (Neal, 785). One point that really stuck out to me in that quote is the reference to the questioning of the acts of society in comparison to the actions of a single man. While a society can influence and reach more people, the acts from a singular person could change the outcome of a situation completely. A perfect example of this is Martin Luther King Jr., one man who used his voice to change the lives of black Americans across our country. In a poem written by June Jordan, titled “In Memoriam : Martin Luther King, Jr.”, the change and prosperity he brought to our country and the African American community is highlighted. It depicts the world he saw and how he sought out to change it, “honey people murder mercy U.S.A.//the milkland turn to monsters teach//to kill to violate pull down destroy//the weakly freedom growing fruit//from being born” (Jordan, lines 1-5). Violence was so set in stone as a means to solve problems that we fought back against King’s attempts to approach these same issues with peace, wisdom and words. We were teaching future generations that violence is the answer to all of your problems, regardless of the fact that it could’ve been solved with a conversation.

Taking King’s methods and the ideals of the Black Arts Movement and putting them together, it becomes alarmingly clear that our country is so resistant to change. We fight back against sound advice from those who experienced, first hand, how corrupt the thinking of those who participated in these violent protests truly was. This movement has made it even more clear that your voice is your most powerful weapon if used correctly. It can impact the lives of so many and can influence those younger than you to express themselves in a healthy and productive manner to enact change and a brighter future. 

  Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think that the difference in strategies from the Black Panther Party and the Black Arts Movement highlight any important factors that could’ve altered the path that the Civil Rights Movement took?

2. King’s use of his voice as a way to impact the Civil Rights Movement adds to the point that non-violent expression is the most effective way to solve an issue. What do you think was the most effective form of expression used in the Black Arts Movement? Why?

Works Cited:

Jordan, June. “In Memoriam: Martin Luther King, Jr. by June…” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation,  Accessed Mar. 2024.

Neal, Larry. “The Black Arts Movement.” Google Drive, Google,  Accessed Mar. 2024.

Hi! My name is Hannah McCormick, I’m a junior. I’m an Adolescence Education – English major and plan to go to grad school here at Cortland after I get my bachelors degree. Teaching is, in my opinion, one of the most rewarding professions and I can’t wait to further my career throughout this class. I’m from Long Island, specifically Wantagh. I love to listen to music and in my free time I go the gym to relieve stress.