Black Civil Rights Movement In Art

The Black Civil Rights Movement in Art:

Sabraj Bhathal

November 19, 2015

Mrs. Bellini

AVI 1OR

Introduction

The American black civil rights movement, a social movement in the United States, with the purpose of ending racial segregation against African Americans (Gary Younge, 2013). This movement paved the way for many politically motivated artists in the 20th century, which led to the beginning of the black arts movement, which still to this date, continues to inspire artists whom are not treated equally during their day to day lives. While the Civil rights movement, involved major protests in cities around the country, the black arts movement focused on inspiring artists to stand up for themselves through their art and created a

safe feeling for groups of artists who were not treated fairly in society. Between these two movements there was one similarity that stood out. The movements both stood up against inequality for African Americans and did it while trying to keep peace. These two social envisions, continue to be two of the greatest social actions, in the current world.
Historical Content
“Nobody can give you Freedom.

Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you are a man you take it.” (Malcom X, n.d) This quote perfectly explains the uprising for equality of African Americans. The black civil rights movement of the 20th century took place, between the years of 1954 and 1968. These movements did not just change the way African Americans were treated but also marked the start of many black leaders. The civil rights and arts movements created social activists that have been remembered, as the people who laid the stepping stones towards African Americans being treated equally. Martin Luther King JR, Malcom X, Nelson Mandela, Rosa parks, and Marva Collins are all examples of African American leaders. The movements never officially ended, because yet legally African Americans have equality but there are still numerous incidents involving racism. There were three major eras in the movements. The black arts movements started with the post Malcom X era which lasted between the years of 1965 and 1967. Next came the “I have a dream era” which occurred in 1968 and then the post Martin Luther King JR. Era which lasted between 1969 and

1973.
Post Malcom X Era (1965-1967)
After the assassination of Malcom X in 1965, a few months passed by and the African American people decided that enough was enough. This was the beginning of the Black Arts Movement. After his death, numerous artists grew famous because this event was humongous in the United States and it gained gigantic amounts attention from the news. Amiri Baraka was one of the most well-known figures from the Black Arts Movement as he was the first person to officially start the black arts movement. This Era was the start of multiple different types of arts. New painters, musicians, writers and other varieties of professionals started their careers from the death of one man. If it was not for the start of the Black Arts Movement, groups such as homosexuals, African Americans, Latin natives, aboriginals and other groups that were not treated equally, would not have the confidence or the respect from the art community to create art. After his death, the art used by artists wasn’t as strong as the pieces in the other eras, but was trying to be convincing as the movement had just begun. “Art is a weapon in the struggle of ideas, the class struggle”. (Baraka, n.d) This quote describes the Black Arts Movement perfectly. Rather than being dangerous and starting violent protests, artists used their arts to protest peacefully. This had to have been the start of one of the most successful peaceful protests, and led to the best outcome possible. During this sad time for Civil rights supporters, many artists began working on new work, to get released.
I Have a Dream Era (1968)
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (King, 1968). This is quoted directly from the famous I have a dream speech that Martin Luther King JR spoke of during the last year of his life. Yet it gained most popular after his death, this quote became more than just part of a speech, it has become a memory. When people will think of the Black Civil Rights Movement, they will remember Martin Luther King Jr’s speech and how it affected so many people’s lives, either directly or indirectly. This year was known as the peak of the movement, because after Martin Luther King became an icon for the movement it became respected in different communities. Not only was this a major step in the Civil rights movement, but this also was a high point for black artists. These events created by Martin gave artists a new, unique idea for African American artists to work on. These artists used his speech, and created a lot of propaganda, to get African Americans to join them in their protests. These black artists gained a lot of attention during this time because Martin Luther King got the Civil rights movement on the map, on a nation scale and when artists drew about it, they got people wanting to learn about their art from all around the country. “This is not a revolution of black against white; this is a revolution of right against wrong, and right has never lost.” (Gregory, N.D) This quote describes accurately how a lot of African Americans felt about the situation during this period of time. They were not trying to fight against whites, but they wanted to fight against the wrong and make sure it became a right. There have been numerous amounts of major movements around the world that have past. But not one can eclipse the affect the year of 1968 had on African Americans, not only in the United States, but on an international level. Led by people such as Martin Luther King Jr, 1968 was a year to never be forgotten.
Post Martin Luther King JR. (1969-Present)
“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends”. (King, 1968) On the date of April 4, 1968 one bullet changed art as we know it. That was the day, when a bullet hit Martin Luther King, and he was killed. James Earl Ray later confessed to the murder of Martin Luther King Jr, but it did not change what had happened. We will never know what would have happened if Martin Luther King Jr was still alive, but just because of one man’s death, the fight did not stop. Rather than getting discouraged, the African American communities used it as fuel. The artists expressed their feelings in their famous pieces of art, the activists spoke to the public and everyone kept faith. The art during this period of the movement was a lot more emotional, because everyone was heartbroken about the assassination. Just because of that one man’s living impact on everyone, his death had an even larger one. This caused an outbreak, not only by the public, but also by government officials. They felt that now was the right time for it to happen, and after years of fighting for their rights, they finally gained equality. Now even though to this date, there are still numerous people around the United States, who do not treat African Americans equally, it has improved drastically compared to 5 decades ago. Still to today, there are many black artists who still talk about the Black arts and civil rights movement, and how without those movements they would not be where they are as of right now. “We must learn to live together as brothers, or we will perish together as fools.” (King, n.d)
Conclusion
The goal for the Black Civil rights and arts movements was to gain equality for African Americans.

Yet it might feel like black people are still not treated fairly, compared to a few hundred years back it has been a drastic improvement. “Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding.” (Emerson, n.d) This is what the people of the Black Civil Rights and arts movement did; they kept peace and attained it through understanding not violence. Throughout the multiple years the Black Civil Rights movement has taken place, the people it changed and the numerous of opportunities it created have been substantial to how we live in current day. Without the movement, the world wouldn’t be as socially advanced as we are now. Knowing that there are still a lot of people in the world that show hate towards people over race, sexuality and/or gender, ever since these two moments, people have felt confident to release art without being hated on over there race. Due to all of this, the Black Civil Rights Movement has had a major impact on all artists around the world, and will never be forgotten. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that” (King,

n.d)

Appendix

References
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