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Intro to African American Studies
Table of Contents
Unit 9 Overview: African American Music and Art
9.1 The Evolution of African American Music: From Spirituals to Hip-Hop
9.2 Visual Arts: Painting, Sculpture, and Photography
9.3 Performing Arts: Theater and Dance
9.4 The Role of Art in Social and Political Movements

Art has been a powerful tool in African American social and political movements. From protest songs in the Civil Rights era to striking visuals in the Black Power movement, artists have used their talents to spread messages of resistance and hope.

Today, contemporary Black art continues to challenge systemic racism. Afrofuturism reimagines Black futures, while Black Lives Matter inspires politically engaged works. Street art and murals reclaim public spaces, asserting the value of Black lives through bold, colorful designs.

Art in the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements

Protest Songs and Civil Rights Movement Art

  • Protest songs played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement by spreading messages of resistance, unity, and hope (We Shall Overcome)
  • Artists like Nina Simone used their music to address racial injustice and support the movement (Mississippi Goddam)
  • Visual artists created powerful images that became symbols of the struggle for equality (Norman Rockwell's The Problem We All Live With)
  • Civil Rights Movement art often depicted scenes of protest, violence, and resilience (Elizabeth Catlett's The Negro Woman series)
  • Art and music served as a means of communication, motivation, and documentation during the Civil Rights era

Black Power Movement Aesthetics and Propaganda

  • The Black Power Movement, which emerged in the late 1960s, embraced a more militant and assertive approach to fighting racial oppression
  • Black Power aesthetics celebrated African heritage, natural hairstyles, and bold colors (Afros, dashikis)
  • Artists associated with the Black Power Movement, such as Emory Douglas, created striking propaganda posters that conveyed messages of self-determination and resistance
  • These posters often featured strong, defiant figures and slogans that called for action against systemic racism (Black Power fist)
  • The art of the Black Power Movement aimed to empower African Americans and challenge the dominant cultural narrative

Contemporary Black Art Movements

Afrofuturism and Black Lives Matter Art

  • Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic that combines science fiction, African mythology, and Black identity to imagine alternative futures and challenge Western narratives (Black Panther film)
  • Contemporary Afrofuturist artists, such as Wangechi Mutu and Cyrus Kabiru, use various media to explore themes of technology, identity, and liberation
  • The Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013, has inspired a new wave of politically engaged art that addresses police brutality and systemic racism
  • Artists have created powerful works in response to the deaths of Black individuals at the hands of police (Dread Scott's A Man Was Lynched by Police Yesterday)
  • Black Lives Matter art often incorporates slogans, portraits of victims, and symbols of resistance (raised fists, "I Can't Breathe")

Street Art and Murals

  • Street art and murals have become increasingly prominent forms of expression for Black artists in recent years
  • These public works allow artists to engage directly with communities and spark conversations about social and political issues (Kehinde Wiley's Rumors of War)
  • In the wake of the George Floyd protests, many cities saw a surge in murals and street art celebrating Black lives and demanding justice (Black Lives Matter murals)
  • Street art and murals serve as a powerful means of reclaiming public space and asserting the value of Black lives in the face of oppression
  • These works often feature bold, colorful designs and incorporate elements of African and African American cultural heritage (Kente cloth patterns)

Key Terms to Review (25)

Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was a social and political movement in the United States that aimed to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights for African Americans, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. This movement was characterized by grassroots activism, legal challenges, and nonviolent protests, playing a crucial role in the advancement of African American studies and cultural expression.
Black Power Movement: The Black Power Movement was a social and political movement that emerged in the 1960s, advocating for racial dignity, economic and political self-sufficiency, and the creation of black political and cultural institutions. It was marked by a shift from the integrationist strategies of earlier civil rights efforts to a focus on black identity, empowerment, and community control. This movement significantly influenced various aspects of African American life, including education, art, and political activism.
Black lives matter murals: Black Lives Matter murals are large-scale public artworks that convey messages of racial justice and the importance of valuing Black lives. These murals have emerged as a powerful form of artistic expression in response to systemic racism, police brutality, and the broader civil rights movement, highlighting the role of art in advocating for social change.
Raised fists: Raised fists are a powerful symbol of solidarity, resistance, and empowerment, often associated with social and political movements advocating for justice and equality. This gesture is widely recognized as a sign of defiance against oppression, and it is frequently used in art, protests, and cultural expressions to communicate unity among marginalized groups and their struggles.
Kente cloth patterns: Kente cloth patterns are vibrant textiles made from silk and cotton, originating from the Akan people of Ghana. These patterns are not just decorative but serve as a visual language, conveying messages of cultural significance, identity, and social status, and have played a vital role in social and political movements throughout history.
Kehinde Wiley: Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary American portrait painter known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings that challenge traditional representations of race and identity. By depicting people of color in poses and settings that echo classical portraiture, Wiley uses his art to address themes of empowerment, visibility, and cultural representation within the context of social and political movements.
I can't breathe: 'I can't breathe' is a phrase that became a powerful rallying cry in social and political movements, especially within the Black Lives Matter movement. It captures the urgency and desperation experienced by individuals facing police brutality and systemic oppression, symbolizing a broader struggle against racial injustice and inequality. The phrase not only highlights individual experiences but also serves as a collective demand for change and accountability in society.
Rumors of war: Rumors of war refer to the widespread speculation and anticipation of conflict, often highlighting societal tensions and political unrest. This term is particularly significant in understanding how art can serve as a powerful tool for commentary and protest, capturing the emotional landscape of communities facing uncertainty and fear regarding impending violence or military action.
A man was lynched by police yesterday: This phrase refers to a recent incident where an individual was unlawfully killed by law enforcement officers, evoking historical and ongoing discussions around police brutality, racial violence, and systemic injustice. Such occurrences highlight the intersection of art and activism, as artists often respond to these tragic events through creative expressions that raise awareness and call for social change.
Dred Scott: Dred Scott was an enslaved African American man who famously sued for his freedom in the landmark Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857. The court ruled that Scott, as a Black man, was not considered a citizen and therefore had no right to sue in federal court, a decision that intensified national divisions over slavery and significantly impacted the political landscape leading up to the Civil War.
Black power fist: The black power fist is a symbol of solidarity, strength, and resistance used primarily within the African American community to signify empowerment and the fight against racial oppression. This gesture became prominent during the Civil Rights Movement and was particularly associated with the Black Power Movement, representing not just a call for equality but also a celebration of black identity and culture.
Afrofuturism: Afrofuturism is a cultural, artistic, and philosophical movement that combines elements of science fiction, history, and African culture to envision a future where Black people thrive and are empowered. It critiques the past while using speculative narratives to explore possibilities for the future, highlighting themes of identity, technology, and community in the African diaspora.
Wangechi Mutu: Wangechi Mutu is a renowned Kenyan-American artist known for her multi-dimensional work that often explores themes of identity, gender, and colonialism through the lens of African heritage. Her art combines various media, including collage, sculpture, and video, to challenge and critique societal norms, making her a significant figure in contemporary art and a voice in political discourse.
Cyrus Kabiru: Cyrus Kabiru is a contemporary Kenyan artist known for his innovative sculptures and installations made primarily from recycled materials. His work often addresses themes of identity, urbanization, and social issues, reflecting the complexities of life in Nairobi. Kabiru's art serves as a powerful medium for social commentary and engages viewers in conversations about environmental sustainability and community resilience.
Elizabeth Catlett: Elizabeth Catlett was an influential African American sculptor and printmaker known for her powerful representations of Black womanhood and social justice themes. Her work not only showcased the beauty and strength of African American identity but also served as a form of activism, addressing issues such as racism, poverty, and the struggles of marginalized communities.
Mississippi goddam: Mississippi Goddam is a protest song written by Nina Simone in response to the civil rights movement and the violent events, particularly the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four African American girls. The song serves as a powerful expression of anger and frustration toward systemic racism and violence, and it reflects the urgent need for social change during a tumultuous period in American history.
Emory Douglas: Emory Douglas is an influential artist and graphic designer known for his powerful visual art that became synonymous with the Black Panther Party during the late 1960s and 1970s. His work combined bold imagery and revolutionary themes, making art a crucial tool for political expression and social change, directly linking visual culture to activism.
Nina Simone: Nina Simone was an influential American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist known for her unique blend of jazz, blues, and classical music. Her powerful voice and poignant lyrics became a means of expression for the struggles faced by African Americans during the civil rights movement, making her a significant figure in the intersection of art and activism.
Norman Rockwell: Norman Rockwell was an American painter and illustrator known for his depictions of everyday life, particularly through a lens that celebrated American culture and values. His artwork often conveyed social messages, illustrating themes of family, community, and patriotism, which became significant in the context of social and political movements during his time.
Street art: Street art is a form of visual art created in public spaces, often characterized by its accessibility and use of unconventional materials. It typically includes graffiti, murals, stencils, and installations, serving as a powerful medium for expressing social and political messages, engaging communities, and challenging societal norms.
We Shall Overcome: 'We Shall Overcome' is a protest song that became an anthem of the American civil rights movement, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the struggle for social justice. This powerful song resonated with those advocating for equality and freedom, connecting deeply with the themes of resistance and collective action in social movements throughout history. It embodies the spirit of unity among those fighting against oppression and serves as a rallying cry for change through artistic expression and cultural memory.
Murals: Murals are large-scale paintings or artworks that are applied directly onto walls or ceilings, often designed to convey a message or tell a story. They serve as a powerful medium for expression, particularly in social and political movements, where they can reflect community identity, cultural heritage, and collective experiences.
Protest songs: Protest songs are musical compositions that convey messages of dissent, resistance, and social critique, often aimed at raising awareness about political issues or injustices. These songs have historically played a crucial role in social and political movements, serving as powerful tools for mobilizing communities, expressing collective grievances, and inspiring action against oppression or inequality.
Resistance: Resistance refers to the active or passive efforts made by individuals or groups to oppose, challenge, or defy oppressive systems and conditions. This concept is critical in understanding how marginalized communities navigate and respond to power structures that seek to control or exploit them, showcasing resilience and agency in their struggle for dignity and justice.
Black Lives Matter: Black Lives Matter is a social movement and political campaign that advocates for the rights and dignity of Black individuals, primarily focusing on issues of systemic racism, police violence, and social injustice. The movement highlights the need for accountability and reform within law enforcement and seeks to address the broader societal inequalities that disproportionately affect Black communities.