Black History Month 2024: African Americans in the Arts

The month of February is known as Black History Month, a month that celebrates African Americans and how they overcame an oppressive societal structure in the United States. Something that most people don’t know about this historic month is that every year, since its creation in 1976, there has been a new theme assigned to Black History Month to show various contributions African Amercans’s have made to the United States. Last year’s theme was “Black Resistance,” a theme that celebrated the refusal to be oppressed and let societal expectations dictate the lives of African Americans. This year’s theme is African Americans in the Arts, which focuses on the impacts African Americans have had on music, culture, and visual and performing arts. The month will be a time to spotlight their creations and make their hard work noticed. 

Throughout the years various African American artists have created influential pieces to showcase empowerment and preserve their rich culture, such as Edmonia Lewis. Edmonia Lewis made history as the first professional BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, sculptor to reach international status, who created groundbreaking pieces that highlighted her identity as both African American and Native American. Her work paved a path for future African Americans to make their work noticed and appreciated as well as combated the oppression African Americans as well as Native Americans have faced historically. 

Performing arts also carried a significant role in the appreciation of African American art. Famous playwright Loraine Hanesburry’s, A Raisin in the Sun, is a great example of a work of art that combats societal oppression. The play addressed societal issues African Americans faced in the time of segregation, such as redlining and other restrictive government policies. In addition, A Raisin in the Sun focuses on issues women face in society, especially gender equality. 

Artist Charles Henry Alston also played a key part in the civil rights movement. One of his most notable works, a 1958 painting inspired by the Montgomery Bus boycott, a movement sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks. Other artists also used creative measures in protest of the unfair systems created by the government that sparked inspiration to demand change. 

Throughout history, art has been one of the most powerful forms of protest, and without the creativity of these and many talented artists, many would not understand the importance of major world events. Without this expression a substantial number of people would not be able to fully grasp the multitude of emotions that run through large movements like the Civil Rights Movement and would have no way to relate to these feelings.