The term “Black Arts Movement” refers to a group of African-American writers whose works were influenced by the political and social turmoil of the 1960s. This included massive anti-Vietnam War protests and Black American rights struggles that resulted in violent disputes. The spiritual and artistic sibling of the Black Power Movement is the Black Art Movement. Therefore, it sees art that completely speaks for the needs and aspirations of Afro-Americans and their desire for self-determination and nationhood.
The Black arts literary movement was linked to the political Black Power Movement. Its leaders, such as Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael, supported black separatism and sought black solidarity in opposition to supporters of integration. Black art literature was used to create a platform for black people’s struggles and help them achieve a distinct identity. Literature was used to create unity among African Americans. Black art literature was also used to challenge racism and oppression and to create a safe space for African Americans to express their feelings. It was a way for them to express their identity and create a sense of belonging in a hostile world. Therefore, black art representatives used their creative works to further their social and political objectives.
In the 1970s, the Black Arts Movement’s revolutionary momentum had declined. However, its best writings have survived, and its subject matter is regarded as role models for writers of various races in America, including Native Americans, Asians, Latinos, and other Americans of African descent.
Key figures of the Black Arts Movement include Amiri Baraka, who is considered the father of the black arts movement. His works, such as “Dutchman” and “The Slave,” were important in black literature. Another significant figure was Sonia Sanchez, known as the mother of black studies, focused on the African-American experience and raised voice for black people. Additionally, Nikki Giovanni’s expressive writings and activism played a crucial role in advancing the movement’s goals and ideals.
See also: The Black Arts Movement-Wikipedia
