The Black Arts MovementBy: Patricia Perez; Erica Castillo; Imahni Delacruz Smith; Christine CobarrubiaPer. 1

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

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

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

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

Ntozake Shange• 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)

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)

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

Visual Representations

If I Were Jehovah, 1970 Unite, 1971 Barbara Jones-Hogu 

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.

Analyze This PoemTouched by an Angel

We, unaccustomed to courageexiles from delightlive coiled in shells of lonelinessuntil love leaves its high holy templeand comes into our sightto liberate us into life.

Love arrivesand in its train come ecstasiesold memories of pleasureancient histories of pain.Yet if we are bold,love strikes away the chains of fearfrom our souls.

We are weaned from our timidityIn the flush of love's lightwe dare be braveAnd suddenly we seethat love costs all we areand will ever be.Yet it is only lovewhich sets us free.

-Maya Angelou

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

• Ntozake Shange• 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