The New Negro Movement which flourished during the Harlem Renaissance was popularized by a man named Alain LeRoy Locke, a scholar and writer of a book titled
The New Negro. The term ‘negro’ is a derogatory word that was used to describe the African American. However, with the New Negro Movement, Locke was motivated to reinvent what the African American was through art. Furthermore, it was the idea that African Americans should emerge out of this history of being mistreated and take pride in their culture by looking towards Africa for inspiration.[1] One of the most notable pieces from the Harlem Renaissance that portrayed distinct themes from the movement is Aaron Douglas’
Aspects of Negro Life (fig. 1). The piece illustrates the growth of African American history from slavery and emancipation to the reconstruction and success of African Americans, a notable theme of the New Negro Movement.
Common themes of the New Negro Movement that artists often portrayed in murals include pride, achievement, endurance, creativity, and hope.[2] This was often done through portraits of “black heroes and [their] achievements.”[3] For example, the mural titled
Four Great Moments (fig. 2) by artist Charles Freeman displays the athletic accomplishments of Magic Johnson, showing the achievements of one of the most famous basketball stars.[4] Considering that he made a huge impact amongst athletes and fans, he is considered the pride to many African Americans. These murals impacted the African American communities in positive ways, instilling a bigger sense of pride in their heritage and culture which is what the New Negro Movement stood for. Murals that present African Americans in an enlightening manner are meaningful to many black communities, because it not only shows everyone the great things that African Americans have accomplished, but it also redefines them and strays from the racist stereotypes that were tied to them in the past.
To this day, themes of the New Negro Movement stay relevant and important to the African American communities. Although Americans have learned a lot from the racist history, mistreatment towards black communities still prevail. For example, with the recent increase in hate crimes and police brutality directed towards the African American communities, artist Ciara LeRoy created a mural (fig. 3) stating, “My black is beautiful, unapologetic, innovative, resilient, and it matters.”[5] With all the hatred that the black communities were facing, LeRoy wanted to remind them to take pride in who they are by administering these themes of the New Negro Movement like pride and hope. The legacy of the New Negro Movement will always remain relevant and necessary, because to this day, racism still prevails, affecting many African Americans.
Notes
1. “Alain Locke.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. Accessed April 19, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alain-Locke.
2. Naacp, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom the New NEGRO MOVEMENT,” February 21, 2009. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/naacp/the-new-negro-movement.html.
3. Sara A. Butler. “Reimagining the Movement: Beyond the Art of Negro Advancement at the Interior Building, 1937–1948.” American art 28, no. 2 (2014): 70–87.
4. “Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles.” Four Great Moments | Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles. Accessed April 12, 2021. https://www.themcla.org/murals/four-great-moments.
5. Staff, WKYT News. “Local Artist Creates New Black Lives Matter Mural in Lexington.” https://www.wkyt.com. Accessed April 12, 2021. https://www.wkyt.com/2020/09/14/local-artist-creates-new-black-lives-matter-mural-in-lexington/.
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Sara A. Butler. “Reimagining the Movement: Beyond the Art of Negro Advancement at the Interior Building, 1937–1948.” American art 28, no. 2 (2014): 70–87.
Staff, WKYT News. “Local Artist Creates New Black Lives Matter Mural in Lexington.” https://www.wkyt.com. Accessed April 12, 2021. https://www.wkyt.com/2020/09/14/local-artist-creates-new-black-lives-matter-mural-in-lexington/.
