Black Arts Movement
Danne Lyka JingcoChristian Dela Cruz
Kiara Maye SicatClydelle Doctor
Definition of the Movement Usually referred to as a “sixties” movement (began
approximately around 1965 and ended in 1975/1976)
The aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept
Envisions an art that speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of Black America
The movement proposes a separate symbolism, mythology, critique, and iconology
Relate broadly to the Afro-American’s desire for self-determination and nationhood
Primary duty is to speak to the spiritual and cultural needs of Black people
Poetic Techniques and Themes Repetition Metaphor Symbolism Imagery Personification Themes: Opposition towards social injustices Efforts in search for freedom Love towards others Desires for self-determination and nationhood
Gwendolyn BrooksoBorn in Topeka, Kansas, but her family moved
to Chicago when she was youngoGwendolyn Brooks was a highly regarded,
much-honored poet, with the distinction of being the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize
oMany of Brooks' works display a political consciousness
oHer body of work gave her a unique position in American letters
oNot only has she combined a strong commitment to racial identity and equality with a mastery of poetic techniques, but she has also managed to bridge the gap between the academic poets of her generation in the 1940s and the young black militant writers of the 1960s.
Notable Works The Bean-Eaters
We Real Cool
The Lovers of the Poor
The Mother
Amiri Barakao born LeRoi Jones in 1934 in Newark, New Jerseyo attended Rutgers University and Howard Universityospent three years in the U.S. Air Force,
and returned to New York City to attend Columbia University and the New School for Social Research
ohis method in poetry, drama, fiction, and essays has been confrontational, calculated to shock and awaken audiences to the political concerns of black Americans
obelieved that a poem’s form should follow the shape determined by the poet’s own breath and intensity of feeling
Notable Works Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note
Black Art
Ka ‘Ba
In the Funk World
Sonia SanchezoBorn Wilsonia Benita Driver in
Birmingham, Alabama on September 9, 1934
o one of the foremost leaders of the Black Studies movementoFormer member of the Nation of Islam
organization but left after her views on women’s rights conflicted with the their views
oAdvocate of the people and part of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality)
oWritings and works focused on the struggles and lives of Black America
o Informal diction used in work to get her point across
Notable Works Ballad
Malcolm
I Have Walked a Long Time
For Sweet Honey in the Rock
Ntozake Shangeo Was originally named Paulette Williamso Born on October 18, 1948 in Trenton, New Jerseyo At age 8 moved to St. Louiso At age 13 moved back to New JerseyoGraduated Barnard College cum laude
in American studieso Earned Master's degree at UCLAo Married and divorced in first year of collegeo Fails suicide and loses all hope in lifeo Jumps back up in 1971 and changes her nameoNtozake means “she who has her own
things” and shange means “he/she who walks/lives with lions”
Notable Works My Father is a Retired Magician
You Are Sucha Fool
With No Immediate Cause
Enuf
Artworks
Represents the struggle of African-Americans
African-Americans confrontation with obstacles
AP Style Writing Prompts1. In the poem “Ka ’Ba” by Amiri Baraka, the speaker addresses the
subject of escaping for freedom. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how imagery help convey the speaker’s attitude towards the escape.
2. In the poem “The Mother” by Gwendolyn Brooks, the speaker addresses the subject of abortion. Write an essay in which you analyze how literary devices help express the speaker’s feelings towards abortion.
3. In the poem “Ballad” by Sonia Sanchez, the speaker addresses a debate of proper age for wisdom and love. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the language to describe the mood and the meaning.
Interactive Poetry LessonChoose one of the topics below and write a poem that illustrates the situation of the African-Americans during the movement. Racism Injustice Imprisonment Blind Acceptance Struggle
Websites http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/blackarts/historical.htm http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/maai3/community/text8/black
artsmovement.pdf http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/gwendolyn-brooks http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/amiri-baraka http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/sonia-sanchez http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/ntozake-shange
Poems MovementsPoets
400
300
200
100
400
300
200
100100
200
300
400
POEMS: 100
“you are so young and i too old to learn of
love.”
Answer
POEMS: 100“you are so young
and i too old to learn of love.”
ANSWER: Ballad by Sonia Sanchez
Back
POEMS: 200
“I have heard in the voices of the wind the voices of my dim
killed children”
Answer
POEMS: 200“I have heard in the voices of the wind the voices of my dim
killed children”
ANSWER: The Mother by Gwendolyn Brooks
Back
POEMS: 300“with african imaginations full of masks and dances and swelling
chants”
Answer
POEMS: 300“with african imaginations full of masks and dances and swelling
chants”ANSWER: Ka ‘Ba by Amiri
BarakaBack
POEMS: 400
“put all them razzamatazz hocus pocus zippity-do-dah
thingamajigs away”
Answer
POEMS: 400“put all them razzamatazz hocus pocus zippity-do-dah
thingamajigs away”
Back
ANSWER: My Father Is A Retired Magician by Ntozake Shange
POETS: 100he believed that a poem’s form
should follow the shape determined by the poet’s own breath and intensity of feeling
Answer
POETS: 100
ANSWER: Amiri Baraka
believed that a poem’s form should follow the shape
determined by the poet’s own breath and intensity of
feeling
Back
POETS: 200
Fails suicide and loses all hope in life
Answer
POETS: 200
Fails suicide and loses all hope in life
ANSWER: Ntozake Shange
Back
POETS: 300Her body of work gave her a unique position in
American letters
Answer
POETS: 300Her body of work gave her a unique position in
American lettersANSWER: Gwendolyn Brooks
Back
POETS: 400
Informal diction used in work to get her point across
Answer
POETS: 400
Informal diction used in work to get her point across
ANSWER: Sonia Sanchez
Back
Movement: 100When did this movement began? ended?
Answer
Movement: 100When did this movement began? ended?
ANSWER: began in 1965, ended in 1975/’76
Back
Movement: 200The Black Arts Movement is what ________ and ________ sister of the Black Power concept?
Answer
Movement: 200
The Black Arts Movement is what ________ and ________ sister of the Black Power concept?ANSWER: aesthetic and spiritual
Back
Movement: 300What four things did this movement proposes?
Answer
Movement: 300
What four things did this movement proposes?
ANSWER: separate symbolism, mythology, critique, and iconology
Back
Movement: 400
What is the primary duty of this movement?
Answer
Movement: 400
What is the primary duty of this movement?
ANSWER: speak to the spiritual and cultural needs of Black people
Back