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:
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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?
- 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 Hannah,
Excellent job on this blog post. I think you did a great job discussing the intersection of political, social, and artistic elements that are present within the Black Arts Movement, as Larry Neal describes it. I liked how you wrapped up the post by stating, “This movement has made it even more clear that your voice is your most powerful weapon if used correctly.” This is a great way to bridge the messages we see in the different readings from this week and from looking at Martin Luther King Jr.’s life work. However, I think you also make a great point about how America consistently resists change and ignores the voices that speak out – which counters the idea that the voice is a powerful weapon. I think this is the ultimate contradiction we must struggle with – does standing up for what’s right incite real change? Connecting this to one of your questions about the difference in strategies between the Black Panther Party and the Black Arts Movement”, I would argue that both of these movements, through different mediums, were critical not just because of the activist aspect, but because of the culture created as a byproduct. Coming from centuries of slavery and oppression, black Americans had a dire need to establish a cultural identity – which both of these movements enabled them to do. Especially, I think this cultural identity needed to be formed in the context of a world of white supremacy, when there is no place made in society for black existence or expression. Larry Neal writes, “The motive behind the Black Aesthetic is the destruction of the white thing, the destruction of white ideas, and white ways of looking at the world. The new aesthetic is mostly predicated on Ethics which asks the question: whose vision of the world is finally more meaningful, ours or the white oppressors? What is the truth?” (785). This passage identifies a crucial aspect of the civil rights movement that is often whitewashed to make Americans more comfortable. The Black Arts Movement, The Black Panther Party, and the Civil Rights Movement generally gave Black Americans an opportunity for the first time to create an identity for themselves separate (not within), white cultural supremacy.
Hi Hannah, I loved how you went into depth about the two Americas of black and white and how they’re expressed through art. I believe we understand a lot more from the arts because you can see their emotions and most people can’t find the words to describe their feelings. We as humans can describe our feelings through dance, visual arts, singing or playing an instrument. I think that both of the movements had an impact on the civil rights movements because they both showed different ways on how to empower each other. The Black Panther Movement used community programs to address social issues and build support while also engaging in political activism. The Black Arts Movement used cultural expression to highlight the experiences African Americans. They wanted to show and redefine the African American identity by promoting cultural pride and a lot of artists used their work to assess racism and other forms of oppression. They both brought a diverse approach to resistance. A poet that I think doesn’t get a lot of recognition is Mari Evans. I personally didn’t hear about her until this assignment and she in her poem “Vive Noir” she talks about how black women specifically had to talk and behave a certain way; the “right” way. Why do they get to say who gets to do what? What gives them the right? She writes about what she would do if she had the power. “I’m gonna wear the robes and sit on the benches, make the rules and make the arrests sat who can and who can’t, baby you don’t stand a chance. Gonna put black angels in all the books and a black Christ child in marys arms, I’m gonna make black bunnies black fairies black santas black nursery rhymes and black ice cream, I’m gonna make it a crime to be anything BUT black, pass the coppertone” (Evans,564) The cut split difference of seeing America from two different perspectives is what she’s talking about. How would you like it if someone told you, you couldn’t do things because of the color of your skin? You don’t have the same rights and you’re looked at as dirt. The Black Arts Movement and the Black Panther Party both had a significance impact on the civil rights movement to make its footprint on America.
Hi Hannah, I think you did a great job on this post. You made some very good points regarding the Black Arts Movement, and it helps to shed a light on a situation that many of us only have a limited amount of knowledge about. I also liked how you tied it to Martin Luther King Jr., as seeing how we have so many resources on a topic proves it was not a small issue. I would like to focus on your second question of; 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? I think the most effective form of expression used in the Black Arts Movement was that of art itself. Whether it was through writing, singing, etc., I believe this helped to shine a light on the point that many were trying to get across. In “The Black Arts Movement”, by Larry Neal, it states, “A main tenet of Black Power in the necessity for Black people to define the world in their own terms. The Black artist has made the same point in the context of aesthetics. The two movements postulate that there are in fat and in spirit two Americas- one black, one white” (784). I believe this just goes to show that through art, blacks are able to redefine who they are, and in return show those in doubt that there truly is an issue at hand. This also can relate back to King, in a way, as it is non-violence that is used to show the world it’s true colors for anyone willing to open their mind to the possibility that it is true.
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?
Hannah, great job on your blog post! You thoughtfully analyzed “The Black Arts Movement” with an intellectual and open-minded perspective like when you discussed Larry Neal’s idea of seeing the country in only two ways: black and white. To answer your discussion question: “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?” I feel that the violent strategies of the Black Panther Party could have changed the path of the Civil Rights Movement in a negative way. In The Norton Anthology of African American Literature’s summary of the influence of Nikki Giovanni, the text states, “…Giovanni…attended the Detroit Conference of Unity and Art at which she met H. Rap Brown, who had replaced Stokely Carmichael as the head of the SNCC. From then on Giovanni began to associate with prominent leaders of the Black Arts and Black Power movements.” For context, Stokely Carmichael had criticisms of the peace and love/non-violent ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Carmichael believed in “Black Power” which empowered African Americans and was a call to greater action in destroying white America. This movement was very popular amongst young African Americans. The Black Power Movement was seen as very radical and caused an uproar in our country. By Giovanni associating with the Black Power Movement, it reinforced her youthful, radical, political identity which was seen as irrational and uneducated at the time by white Americans and those in support of Dr. King’s practices. It is said that Giovanni advocated for violence as a proper African American response to white America (The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 879). However, I personally feel that this violence promoted by Giovanni had a negative impact on the view of the Civil Rights Movement. The Black Power Movement created a radical persona around Civil Rights which was seen as irrational and dangerous instead of promoting equality and acceptance which was the very goal of the Civil Rights Movement.
Hi Hannah, great post this week. I really liked how you highlighted the important parts of the Black Arts Movement. I as a reader was able to gain a much deeper understanding of what it means and more importantly how it represents the culture. You did a great job of this by using great direct quotes from the reading like “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”. This shows us readers the importance of the Black arts movement and what it does for the community as a whole.
To answer your first question the difference in strategies from the Black Panther and black arts movement could have definitely altered the path of the Civil rights movement, although I think they may have ran into similar problems that were already occurring due to the way the US already was. The second question I think the most effective way to solve an issue that was used by the black arts movement was the contributions to peaceful and educational times. I say this because by this people were able to gain outlook and perspective on black culture as a whole.
Hey Hannah,
I first want to say that I enjoyed reading your discussion post; you effectively brought together many critical points about these poems in the context of The Black Arts Movement. I particularly like your second question regarding the effectiveness of different forms of expression. As you’ve extensively mentioned in your discussion post, Dr. King used his voice to promote change in a peaceful manner. However, I believe that the Black Arts Movement is unique in that no particular method is stronger. From Neal’s description of the Black Arts Movement, what makes it distinctive from any other movement in American history is that it constantly promotes differing forms of expression as long as they maintain the “Black aesthetic.” (785.)
Furthermore, Neal directly argues that the Black artist must “create new forms and new values, sing new songs (or purify old ones); and along with other Black authorities, he must create a new history, new symbols, myths and legends (and purify old ones by the fire.” (785.) Returning to your original question, any form of expression is effective as long as it holds Black power as its backbone. Times are constantly changing; one specific method of expression may be valuable today but completely outdated the next. Having a movement’s core values to promote change preserves its original purpose and intention: envisioning “an art that speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of Black America. (784.)
Hi Hannah,
I enjoyed reading your blog post. I liked that you looked at both ethical aspects and emotional and gave credit to both. I really liked it when you said, “The most influential voices in literature are those who should use their power and notoriety to promote and lift up those whose voices being squashed down by society.”. It was relevant then, and still is today. I think a lot of people with influential voices or platforms could benefit from reading that. Id like to answer your question, “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?”. I think very much so that the more violent approach of the black panthers could have had a negative impact. Although their cause is just, the delivery of the message could taint the movement. It’s much better in my opinion to protest as peacefully as possible. This makes it harder for the opposing side to put blame and slander.
Thank you Hannah for your outlook on the different perspectives of the Black Arts Movement. In my opinion I agree to an extent on your point about the strength of a single person. Because it is true that a single person can lead and catty ideas, it’s a shared trauma in the end which pushies all. If it wasn’t for the people that followed Martin Luther King Jr. none of this would have happened. But of course there has to be an initial person who starts the wave for the rest of people to keep it going. And as for your question about the path that the Civil Rights Movement could have taken, I feel like this quote helps a lot with that question. “Now any Black man who masters the technique of his particular art form, who adheres to the white aesthetic, and directs his work toward a white audience is, in one sense, protesting.” For me this line makes me understand that there is no need for violence and that everyday actions and being passionate about what you want can be just as powerful or even more powerful than using violence. If violence was used then you’d only be proving the point of a lot of the racist ideologies.
Hi Hannah, I enjoyed reading your blog post you brought up many excellent points I would like to discuss. You mentioned, “destroy the culture then you destroy the people”. This stood out to me because in history this has happened to black people with music and clothes and many other things where it was either completely changes to fit how White people dressed to adopting the Blues music and attempting to claim it as their own creation. The same thing has happened with other cultures as well when Europeans came to America they wanted to modernize the culture there and in the process, they destroyed Native Americans and their culture at the same time so that quote resonated with me. “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 America”(Jordan,1) You also mentioned that Martin Luther King was a non-violent activist and if that is the best way to go about stopping oppression and bringing peace. I can’t say I have the answer for this but it made me think about Malcolm X because he believed in non-violence but he didn’t believe that anything could truly get done without some violence.
Hi Hannah, I enjoyed reading your blog post you brought up many excellent points I would like to discuss. You mentioned, “destroy the culture then you destroy the people”. This stood out to me because in history this has happened to black people with music and clothes and many other things where it was either completely changes to fit how White people dressed to adopting the Blues music and attempting to claim it as their own creation. The same thing has happened with other cultures as well when Europeans came to America they wanted to modernize the culture there and in the process, they destroyed Native Americans and their culture at the same time so that quote resonated with me. “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 America”(Jordan,1) You also mentioned that Martin Luther King was a non-violent activist and if that is the best way to go about stopping oppression and bringing peace. I can’t say I have the answer for this but it made me think about Malcolm X because he believed in non-violence but he didn’t believe that anything could truly get done without some violence.
Hi Hannah!
I really enjoyed reading your post and I thought that your reflexion on how a voice can change the world is well though out. In order to answer at your first question which is : « 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? », I would like to say firstly that the Black Panther Party and the Black Arts Movement indeed had different strategies and focuses within the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement. The Black Panther Party emphasized armed self-defense and direct confrontation with oppressive systems, while the Black Arts Movement focused on cultural expression, empowerment through art, and the creation of a distinct black aesthetic.
In « The Black Arts Movement », Larry Neal captures this divergence in approach, stating: « The Black Arts Movement is radically opposed to any concept of the artist that alienates him from his community. This movement 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 » (784). This quote underscores the emphasis of the Black Arts Movement on art as a tool for empowerment and solidarity within the black community. While the Black Panther Party certainly aimed for empowerment as well, their methods often involved more confrontational and militant actions.
In terms of altering the path of the Civil Rights Movement, the divergent strategies of these movements could have influenced the trajectory in different ways. The Black Panther Party’s emphasis on armed self-defense and direct confrontation with oppressive systems may have spurred more immediate resistance but also potentially invited greater backlash from authorities. On the other hand, the Black Arts Movement’s focus on cultural expression may have served to inspire and unite communities in more subtle yet profound ways, fostering long-term solidarity and resilience.
Overall, both movements played significant roles in shaping the Civil Rights Movement, offering different approaches that addressed various aspects of oppression and inequality within society. Their differences highlight the complexity and diversity of strategies within the broader struggle for civil rights and social justice.
Hi Hannah!
I really enjoy your blog and how you mentioned the way art was used as nonviolent protesting. The arts are a powerful way to make your voice and message heard, with so many ways to achieve this. I think the different strategies used by both the black panther party and the black arts movement highlighted the need for a diversity of media in order to be heard by as many people as possible. If the civil rights movement stayed strictly to speeches and protests, it would probably not have as much success compared to using all different types of media and methods to send the message of the movement forward. This additional way of expanding the message is important, as mentioned in “Vive noir” by Evan Nortons, the excerpt about Mari Evans explains “Since the 1970s, Evans has explored the language, history, and concerns of the black community in works ranging from children’s books and dramas to collections of poetry…” (2). This excerpt alone shows how issues can be tackled and handled in many different ways and in different mediums. The ability to have versatility in the messages we spread is important to get these messages spread as far as possible. While an adult may not listen to a speech, they may read a book to their child and it opens their mind to hearing more about the subject, or a teenager may not read children’s books anymore but can read about these issues in poetry or see it on tv. The black arts movement broke down the typical western arts, expanding upon them and creating a powerful message for black America. The breaking down of western arts is a huge part of the black arts movement, as said by Neal in “The black arts movement” “to accept the white aesthetic is to accept and validate a society that will not allow him to live. The black artist must create new forms and new values, sing new songs (or purify old ones) and along with other black authorities, he must create a new history…” (785) Without these changes to western arts and without the diversity of the media spreading the civil rights movement, there would most likely be a very different outcome or response to the struggles of black Americans.
Hi Hannah, I really liked your blog post especially how you discuss how the Black Arts Movement. The Black Panther Party and the Black Arts Movement were both part of the Civil Rights Movement, but they had different ways of trying to make things better for Black people. The Black Panthers believed in defending themselves with weapons if necessary and creating programs to help Black communities, like free breakfast programs. The Black Arts Movement focused more on celebrating Black culture through art, music, and literature. They wanted Black people to feel proud of who they were and to express themselves. f both groups had worked together more closely, they might have had an even bigger impact on the Civil Rights Movement. But their different approaches still made a difference in how people thought about and fought for civil rights in America. In the Black Arts Movement, various forms of expression were used effectively to advance the goals of the movement, but poetry emerged as one of the most powerful and impactful forms of expression. Poetry played a significant role in the movement for several reasons. Poetry is a form of art that is accessible to a wide audience. It doesn’t require expensive equipment or elaborate staging, making it easier for people from all walks of life to engage with and participate in. This accessibility helped spread the messages of the Black Arts Movement to a broader audience. Poetry has a unique ability to evoke strong emotions and create connections with the reader or listener. Through vivid imagery, rhythm, and language, poets of the Black Arts Movement were able to convey the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of Black Americans in a deeply personal and emotive way. This emotional resonance helped foster empathy and understanding among audiences, fueling the momentum of the movement. Poetry became a vehicle for celebrating Black culture, history, and identity. Black poets used their work to reclaim and affirm their heritage, challenging mainstream narratives of inferiority and marginalization. By celebrating the richness and resilience of Black culture, poetry empowered individuals and communities to embrace their identity with pride and dignity. Poetry was not merely a means of self-expression but also a tool for resistance and activism. Black poets used their platform to critique systems of oppression, advocate for social change, and amplify the voices of the marginalized. Poetry became a form of protest, challenging the status quo and inspiring collective action for justice and equality. Overall, poetry emerged as the most effective form of expression in the Black Arts Movement due to its accessibility, emotional resonance, ability to foster cultural pride and identity, and its role in resistance and activism. Through poetry, Black artists and activists were able to articulate their vision for a more just and equitable society, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural and political landscape of America. “to accept the white aesthetic is to accept and validate a society that will not allow him to live. The black artist must create new forms and new values, sing new songs (or purify old ones) and along with other black authorities, he must create a new history…” (785). This quote explains If a Black artist adopts the standards of white society, they’re essentially supporting a system that discriminates against them. Instead, Black artists should create their own unique art forms and values. They should sing new songs or make old ones better, and, along with other Black leaders, they should tell a new history—one that reflects the true experiences and contributions of Black people. It’s about rejecting the idea that Black artists should follow the rules set by a society that doesn’t treat them fairly and instead celebrating Black culture and history on their own terms.