Unit 4: Contemporary Movements, Culture, and Social Debates

Black Arts Movement (BAM)

Mid-1960s to mid-1970s artistic movement emphasizing Black art for Black audiences.

Spiritual Sister

The Black Arts Movement is considered the spiritual sister of the Black Power concept.

Amiri Baraka

A central figure of the Black Arts Movement who founded the Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School.

Sonia Sanchez

A poet who critiqued racism and celebrated Black resilience during the Black Arts Movement.

Kehinde Wiley

Artist known for naturalistic portraits of Black subjects set against decorative backgrounds.

Kara Walker

Artist who uses silhouettes to depict violent narratives about the Antebellum South.

Basquiat

Artist who incorporated graffiti into fine art, critiquing colonialism and racism.

Hip-Hop

A cultural movement originating from the South Bronx involving music, dance, and visual arts.

DJing (Turntablism)

The art of manipulating records to create rhythmic breaks in hip-hop.

MCing (Rapping)

The vocal delivery of rhyming lyrics in hip-hop music.

Breakdancing

A dynamic dance style associated with hip-hop that includes power moves and freezes.

Graffiti Writing

A visual art form often done in public spaces as part of hip-hop culture.

The Message (1982)

Hip-hop song by Grandmaster Flash highlighting inner-city poverty.

Racial Wealth Gap

The economic disparity based on wealth across racial lines, rooted in historical discrimination.

40 Acres and a Mule

An unfulfilled promise related to reparations for formerly enslaved individuals.

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Author of 'The Case for Reparations,' arguing for compensation for systemic economic disenfranchisement.

H.R. 40

A bill to study and develop reparation proposals for descendants of enslaved individuals.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how inequalities like racism and sexism intersect.

Kimberlé Crenshaw

Legal scholar who coined the term 'intersectionality' in 1989.

Afrofuturism

A cultural aesthetic combining sci-fi and fantasy to explore African American experiences.

Octavia Butler

Pioneering science fiction author known for exploring power hierarchies in her works.

Black Feminism

A movement emphasizing the liberation of all Black people, centering marginalized voices.

The Combahee River Collective Statement (1977)

A foundational text arguing that Black women's freedom is essential for all.

Black Lives Matter movement

A contemporary movement founded by Black women, centering LGBTQ+ voices.

Hip-Hop as Social Commentary

The evolution of hip-hop to a medium for social justice and activism.

Golden Age of Hip-Hop

Late 80s to 90s era when artists used the genre for political activism.

Misunderstanding Intersectionality

Common mistake of oversimplifying intersectionality as mere diversity.

Confusing Ears

A mistake of conflating different Black artistic eras like the Harlem Renaissance and BAM.