By Mohamud Osman

Black Arts Movement is also known as the Black Aesthetics Movement. Its also referred to as the artistic sister of the Black Power Movement. Black Arts Movement is also known as the Black Aesthetics Movement. Its also referred to as the artistic sister of the Black Power Movement. Known as one of the most important times in the African-American literature. Known as one of the most important times in the African-American literature. Described as the “single most controversial movement in the history of African American literature, Possible in American literature as whole. (Times Magazine) Described as the “single most controversial movement in the history of African American literature, Possible in American literature as whole. (Times Magazine) They key institution of the Black Arts Movement is the Black Arts Repertory Theater. They key institution of the Black Arts Movement is the Black Arts Repertory Theater. Activist and writer Amiri Baraka started the movement in Harlem. Activist and writer Amiri Baraka started the movement in Harlem. During the it was referred to as a “sixties” movement. During the it was referred to as a “sixties” movement.

The Black Arts Movement sparked in the sixties so it has roots in the Civil Rights Movement. The assassination of Malcolm X in 1965 is referred to as the spark of the movement. The Black Arts Movement sparked in the sixties so it has roots in the Civil Rights Movement. The assassination of Malcolm X in 1965 is referred to as the spark of the movement. When LeRoi Jones also known as Amiri Baraka moved to Harlem and establish the Black Arts Repertory Theater it was considered the formal beginning. When LeRoi Jones also known as Amiri Baraka moved to Harlem and establish the Black Arts Repertory Theater it was considered the formal beginning. In 1965, Jones made the poem “Black Art” which became the major poetic manifesto of the Black Arts literary movement. In 1965, Jones made the poem “Black Art” which became the major poetic manifesto of the Black Arts literary movement.

Liberation is impossible if we fail to see ourselves in more positive terms. For without a change of vision, we are slaves to the oppressor's ideas and values --ideas and values that finally attack the very core of our existence. Therefore, we must see the world in terms of our own realities." Larry Neal, "Black Art and Black Liberation," 1969

The movement lasted for about a decade and is recognized as a period of change in the literature and controversy. One of the major changes came through the portrayal of new ethnic voices. African American artists within the movement attempted to create politically engaged work that explored the African American historical and cultural experience. The movement wanted to re-define how African Americans perceive themselves. The writers and artists of the time felt that artistic production would revise the stereotypes of African American inferiority. Inspired a whole lot people to write and not just African Americans.

In a 1995 interview Robert Chrisman attributed much of what exists today to the groundwork laid by the Black Arts movement: If we had not had a Black Arts movement in the sixties we certainly wouldn't have had national Black literary figures like Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Alice Walker, or Toni Morrison because much more so than the Harlem Renaissance, in which Black artists were always on the leash of white patrons and publishing houses, the Black Arts movement did it for itself. What you had was Black people going out nationally, in mass, saving that we are an independent Black people and this is what we produce.

The decline of the Black Arts Movement began in 1974 when the when the Black Power Movement was disrupted and co-opted. The decline of the Black Arts Movement began in 1974 when the when the Black Power Movement was disrupted and co-opted. Black political organizations were hounded, disrupted, and defeated by repressive government measures, such as Cointelpro and IRS probes. Black Studies activist leadership was gutted and replaced by academicians and trained administrators who were unreceptive, if not outright opposed, to the movements political orientation. Black political organizations were hounded, disrupted, and defeated by repressive government measures, such as Cointelpro and IRS probes. Black Studies activist leadership was gutted and replaced by academicians and trained administrators who were unreceptive, if not outright opposed, to the movements political orientation.

Works Cited Andrews, William L. "The Black Arts Movement." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 Apr "A Brief Guide to the Black Arts Movement." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 28 Apr "Historical Overviews of the Black Arts Movement." Historical Overviews of the Black Arts Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr "Introduction." Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr