The Black Arts Movement

Began in the 1960’s

Influenced by the social and political turmoil of racism

Stemmed from the Civil Rights Movement

Artists created work that aimed to explore African American culture and experience

The Black Arts Movement (BAM) gave African Americans a voice in literary world which had previously dominated by white culture.

Encouraged African Americans to create their own magazines, publishing houses, and journals.

Universities began to adapt African American studies programs.

Black Arts Movement sought to change how blacks were represented and portrayed in literature and the arts.

The Black Arts Movement was anchored in political change and the concept that the artist is a part of his or her community and their work should speak to the needs and aspirations of that community

Amiri Baraka

Considered the father of The Black Arts Movement

Poet, playwright, activist and lecturer Baraka influenced later poets to write from the contemporary African American experience.

His writings, which deal with the black experience, express the anger of black Americans and promote black culture with an intense devotion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOSMGzdZf8

Gwendolyn Brooks

Born in Topeka, Kansas

Encountered racial prejudice throughout her schooling

Published her first poem at the age of 13

Became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3kF6MGBjzk

References

Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 1995. Web. 10

June 2012.