Notes on Black Power and the Black Arts Movement

Introduction to Black Power and Urban Uprisings

• Significant Locations of Uprisings:
  • Over 120 U.S. cities reported disturbances in 1967, particularly in predominantly African American neighborhoods.
  • Key cities include: Harlem, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Watts, Chicago, and Detroit.

The Kerner Report

• Establishment:

  • On July 29, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order 11365 to investigate "racial disorders."
  • Led to the creation of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, informally known as the Kerner Commission.

• Findings:

  • Released on March 1, 1968, detailing causes of civil disorders as poverty, discrimination, and segregation.
  • Acknowledged the risk of America moving towards two societies: one black and one white, which are separate and unequal.
  • Advocated for the removal of barriers to public jobs, education, and housing to empower marginalized communities.

Urban Violence and Racial Tensions

• Major Disturbances:

  • Newark (23 dead) and Detroit (43 dead)—major cities affected by racial unrest, with police and National Guardsmen involved.

• Commission’s View:

  • Riots seen as cries for inclusion and equal opportunity in American society rather than a rejection of it.
  • Rioters were politically aware and felt marginalized in capitalist democracy.

Emergence of Black Power

• Historical Context:

  • The cry for "Black Power" emerged from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1966 moved from moderate civil rights activism to a more militant approach.

• Key Figures:

  • Stokely Carmichael’s proclamation in Greenwood, Mississippi symbolizes a shift toward demanding agency and self-determination.
  • Influences from Malcolm X emphasized self-defense and collective identity.

Ideological Shifts Within Activism

• Black Power Philosophy:

  • Emergence of a new nationalistic fervor led many African Americans to reject nonviolence as the sole method of activism.
  • Enhanced calls for racial solidarity and an independent black identity.

• Contrasting Views:

  • Melting views of individual integration with a collective black self-identity.
  • Activists like H. Rap Brown viewed urban violence as precursors to a revolution rather than mere chaos.

The Role of Mainstream Media

• Media's Impact:

  • Kerner Commission criticized mainstream media for failing to accurately represent Black life and issues, exacerbating racial tensions.

• Cultural Response:

  • Artists and cultural leaders rejected mainstream depictions, creating alternative representations of black identities.

Black Arts Movement

• Goals and Ideals:

  • Artistic expression characterized by a desire to define black identity beyond mainstream cultural narratives.
  • Artists aimed to create works that reflected African American culture and experiences directly aimed at Black audiences.

• Significant Groups and Initiatives:

  • Formation of theaters and cultural organizations such as the Black Arts Repertory Theater in Harlem and other art collectives nationwide.
  • Art as a means of challenging societal norms and promoting Black nationalism.

Legacy and Influence

• Cultural Impact:

  • Ongoing influence seen in contemporary movements and artistic expressions that continue to challenge narratives around race and identity.
  • Foundations of modern Black cultural movements trace back to the ideologies espoused during Black Power and the Black Arts Movement.

• Continuing Dialogues:

  • Conversations around race, identity, and activist strategies evolve but draw from these rich historical backgrounds, portraying the continuous struggle for equality and representation.