The Black Arts Movement

1. The Black Arts Movement By: Patricia Perez; Erica Castillo; Imahni Delacruz Smith; Christine Cobarrubia Per. 1

2. Overview • Dates back to 1960s – 1970s around the time Malcolm X’s assassination • The movement was triggered by the assassination of Malcolm X • It was a branch from the Black Power Movement and it flourished after the Civil Rights Movement • One of the most important times in African-American literature • It inspired Black people to establish their own publishing houses, magazines, journals, and art institutes • It was a desire to confront white power structures and assert an African American cultural identity • Influenced the world of literature, portraying different ethnic voices • Well known authors that were a part of the movement included: • Nikki Giovanni • Sonia Sanchez • Maya Angelou

3. Literary Techniques/Devices • Repetition • Personification • Diction • Symbolism • Allusion • Metaphor • Simile

4. Themes • Opposition of racial inequality • The needs and wants of Black America • The sense of spirituality among Black Americans • A plea for equality and justice

5. Gwendolyn Brooks • June 7 1917- December 3, 2000 • Born in Kansas and moved to Chicago at six weeks old. • She received her education in an all white school then transferred to an all black school, and eventually attended an integrated High school. • Going to that many different schools she has experienced all types of racism, which led to the inspiration of her work. • Primarily wrote in the style of ballads and sonnets using the blues rhythms and free verse. Characters in her poems usually revolve around the poor inner city. • Notable Works: • The Mother • One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This • To Be In Love • We Real Cool

6. NtozakeShange • Born on October 18, 1948 • Born as Paulette Williams in Trenton, New Jersey • Her father was an Air Force surgeon and her mother was an educator and psychiatric social worker • Attended Barnard College, graduated a cum laude, and entered University of Southern California where she earned her master’s degree in American studies in 1973 • She was suicidal after her failed marriage • Notable works include: • For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow is Enuf (1975) • My Father Is A Retired Magician • Nappy Edges (1976)

7. Sonia Sanchez • Born Wilsonia Benita Driver in Birmingham, Alabama • Earned her B.A. in Political Science from Hunter College in 1955 • Did post graduate work at NYU and studied poetry with Louise Bogan • Formed a writer’s workshop in Greenwich Village, it was attended by poets such as Amiri Baraka and Nikki Giovanni • In the early 1960’s, she focused more on her black heritage from a separatist point of view after considering the ideas of Malcolm X • She received many honors including the Robert Creeley Award, the Frost Medal, and the Peace and Freedom Award • Notable works include: • Morning Haiku (Beacon Press, 2010) • Homecoming (Broadside Press, 1969) • I'm Black When I'm Singing, I'm Blue When I Ain't (1982) • Wounded in the House of a Friend (Beacon Press, 1995)

8. Amiri Baraka • Born Everett Leroi Jones on Oct. 07, 1934 • Dramatist, Novelist, and Poet • Started the Black Arts Movement in Harlem • Explored the anger of the African Americans during the beginning of the Black Civil Rights Movement. • Focused on Black Liberation and White Racism • Used his writings as weapons against racism • Influenced by John Coltrane, Malcolm X, Ornette Coleman and Thelonius Monk • Style is very confrontational • Most famous works: • Hymn for Lanie Poo’ • Cuba Libre, Afrikan Revolution’ • Somebody Blew Up America

9. Visual Representations If I Were Jehovah, 1970 Unite, 1971Barbara Jones-Hogu

10. AP Prompts • In Ballad by Sonia Sanchez, Sanchez uses figurative language to emphasize what love is. In a well organized essay, analyze Sanchez’s use of figurative language to explain what love is in the poem. • How does the tone of “We Real Cool” reflect Gwendolyn Brook’s perception on education? In a well organized essay, analyze the tone and explain Brook’s perception on education. • In a well organized essay, discuss how “Ballad” by Sonia Sanchez uses various literary devices to convey the meaning of the poem.

11. Analyze This Poem Touched by an Angel We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. -Maya Angelou

12. Links • Poem Analysis • http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/touched-by-an-angel/ • Visual Representations • http://www.tcnj.edu/~fisherc/black_arts_movement.html • Gwendolyn Brooks • http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/we-real-cool/ • Amiri Baraka • http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/445 • http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/baraka/onlinepoems.htm • NtozakeShange • http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/147 • http://www.afropoets.net/ntozakeshange8.html • Sonia Sanchez • http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/276 • http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19520