Amiri Baraka, formerly known as LeRoi, is a writer recognized for his strong and expressionistic spirit. With an upfront and brazen tone, his poetry represents the unstable terrain of the twentieth century. A prominent member of the ‘Black Art’ Movement, Baraka advocated against social and racial inequality and injustice.
His ‘Black Art’ corresponds to this spirit of the movement. It’s a fearless cry to usher in the forsaken equality for African Americans. The piece strives to empower African Americans and bring on the front their perspectives. The poem achieves this aim by opposing all oppressive factors against their growth and bestowing awareness of their empowering cultural history.
Summary
This poem is a microcosm of the courageous will of the author and the black community as a whole.
Among other things, the 1960s are remembered for the cultural and artistic movements for and by Black people. Barakas’ ‘Black Art’ serves as a manifesto for these movements, which aims to cultivate a distinct black identity. Incendiary in nature, the poem embodies the spirit of the movement.
The poet makes a strong cry to the black community for artistic expression. There is an impetus for creative activities anchored on black communities’ shared experiences, histories, and cultures. The poem has a provocative tone and represents a revolutionary desire to break free from Western norms and embrace black culture.
Structure and Form
The poem ‘Black Art’ is written in free verse. It follows no clear-cut parts in its 55 lines, with some lines consisting of only a word or two. The emphasis here is on a genuine emotional outlet, as there is no fixed meter, rhyme system, or shape. With fragmented language and the absence of standard punctuation, the poem is in a stream-of-consciousness manner.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: There are various metaphors in the poem to establish compelling comparisons. White men’s brains are compared to “Red jelly,” implying their mental fragility.
- Personification: The poem is endowed with the characteristics of a living person that will “strip him (the corrupt people) naked.” The poetry is compared to a force that will expose unjust systems to the world.
- Symbolism: The poem has multiple examples of symbolism, each with a deeper meaning for the reader to grasp. The phrases “Black World” and “stripping naked” represent communal identity and the exposure of hegemonic structures. Similarly, “lovers” and “sons of warrior” assist in symbolizing the strength and courage that runs in black people’s blood.
Mood and Tone
- Provocative: The poem reflects a desire to upend the racist society and the corrupt authority. There is a strong call to confront these individuals of authority and destabilize the status quo. There is a definite intention to elicit action from readers by confronting them with painful truths. The inflammatory language attempts to not only shock people awake but also to cut through their ignorance with hard facts. It is also worth noting that this inflammatory terminology reinforces detrimental anti-semantic attitudes.
- Anger: Anger and frustration seep throughout the poetry. This rage arises from years of racial persecution, which ultimately expresses itself through Baraka’s artistic expression. The poem’s imagery is deep in a sense of fury that operates like a keen weapon. All the heated terminology that illustrates this seething wrath is “Assassin poems,” “poems that shoot,” and “poems that kill.”
- Defiant: ‘Black Art’ shows the spirit of non-complacency and fierceness in art. The four occurrences of the phrase “We want” highlight an unrelenting commitment to change. There will be no compromises or settlements for anything less than all people’s rights. This is the uncompromising stand against systematic oppression, which the poet wouldn’t take lightly.
Detailed Analysis
Lines 1-5
Poems are bulls**t unless they are
(…)
beating them down. F**k poems
The imagery at the start of the poem establishes the parameters that will prevent a poem from becoming “bullshit” or rubbish. The term “teeth” in this context could relate to a physical manifestation of abstract identity. “Trees” represent communal rootedness, and “Lemons piled on a step” indicates life’s sour trials.
Baraka here conveys that poetry should be concrete, expressing strong, vivid imagery that emphasizes African Americans’ cultural tie and their true hardships. The poetry should stress the mistreatment of black women, whose lovers with “nickel” or cheap, insincere hearts abandon them.
The poet establishes a combative tone right away. It prepares readers for the poet’s tone throughout, which will be fierce and bold rather than gentle and meek.
Lines 6-12
and they are useful, wd they shoot
come at you, love what you are,
(…)
Hearts Brains
Souls splintering fire.
The author’s use of abrasive language here anticipates the author’s hostile approach to his cause for black artistic expression. He puts his point by stating that poetry might be effective when they “shoot” or strike with its powerful message. They should target the hard realities and inequities that black life has been a part of rather than the aesthetic or pleasurable aspects of existence.
These truthful poetries will confront the reader and challenge them to consider their own truth. As forceful and intense as “wrestlers,” when expressed truthfully, they will be the account of genuine and profound experiences of the blacks.
The poet emphasizes the characteristics of poetry that he aspires to produce and see published in forceful language. The poetry should be vibrant and alive. These poems will tap into the “soul-splintering fire” of individuals and ignite transformative power within them.
Lines 12-19
We want poems
(…)
whose brains are red jelly stuck
between ‘lizabeth taylor’s toes. Stinking
(…)
Baraka was notorious for including contentious anti-semantic themes in his poems. The following lines provide witness to the poet’s religious stereotype in expecting poetry to function as “daggers” against Jews. Following that, he anticipates poetry that will have to transcend the “jock” reputation. The word Jocks refers to persons who have an association with sports culture. The phrase here refers to the limiting notions about black masculinity. This suggests the limitations placed on African Americans’ talents based solely on their physical abilities, ignoring other ambitions.
As the poet conveys his desire to produce poetry against “mullato,” the fury and insulting tone intensify. “Mullato” refers to people of mixed heritage and is one of the pejorative names used by Baraka to show his rage. He just wouldn’t do anything that lacks a connection to pure African American ancestry. The line uses metaphor to compare the minds of those infected with white blood to “red jelly.” It suggests a lack of intelligence and the fragility of their thoughts. These brains, for the poet, are no more than jelly between the shoes of Elizabeth Taylor (a popular actress of his time).
It goes without saying that these lines have a high level of expression and feelings that go beyond general benevolence. The phrases attest to Barak’s status as one of the most controversial authors of his day.
Lines 20-30
Assassin poems, Poems that shoot
guns. Poems that wrestle cops into alleys
(…)
politicians Airplane poems, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . .tuhtuhtuhtuhtuhtuhtuhtuhtuhtuh
(…)
& puke himself into eternity . . . rrrrrrrr
Following that, the poem takes a stand against law enforcement. It promotes poetry that “kills,” implying a desire to upend power structures. Again, Baraka refers to poetry as a great instrument for resistance and transformation. The poem employs an onomatopoeic element next. In portraying the sound of an airplane striking (rrrrr..), there is the anticipation of harm to a corrupt authority and half-whites.
The lines are rife with abuse and disturbing language, conjuring up vivid and terrifying images of murder and inappropriate religious stereotypes. They represent an attitude that will not be complacent in the face of authority. The poem here aims to elicit fierce emotions in readers to induce greater engagement with the poet’s cause.
Lines 31-40
(…)
on the steps of the white house one
kneeling between the sheriff’s thighs
(…)
to the world! Another bad poem cracking
(…)
The following lines exemplify the torment of the leaders of the black fight for justice and equality for their men. There is a suggestion of a black leader who is “pinned down” behind a bar at Sardis (a white restaurant in New York). The phrase “eyeball melting” depicts the anguish and suffering endured by these leaders while bargaining for their cause.
Another potential leader for their cause is “negotiating coolly.” This suggests a posture of surrender to authority that prevents black men from achieving their goals. The leader being “between a sheriff’s thighs” also symbolizes a unilateral amorous interaction between the two men.
The poet aspires for poetry to “strip naked” such authority, the ugly society truths, by using provocative sentences yet again. This poem will be “poison gas” to these “green berets,” which seem to relate to totalitarian military troops. These sentences emphasize the powerlessness of black people, whose only form of relief is the forceful and robust use of poetry.
Lines 41-49
Clean out the world for virtue and love,
Let there be no love poems written
(…)
all the loveliness here in the world
The first two lines here provide a contrast. Initially, the poet pushes for the promotion of morality and love. However, he does not want these emotions to reach the poems until there is actual reciprocation of these principles for all people, white or black.
The lines encourage black men to find inspiration in their proud ancestry. They are lovers and sons of warriors. They also share their roots with black poets and their powerful poems.
In nurturing confidence in black individuals, the lines anticipate a world full of love and morality. However, there is also an emphasis that these positive sentiments must not ignore the world’s terrible lack of them. The powerful poetry will be an outlet for change, the inspiration of which the poet draws from the ancestors of black men.
Lines 50-55
We want a black poem. And a
(…)
Silently
or LOUD
The final lines of the poem bring the poem to a close. They emphasize the importance of a poem that will represent black cultural experiences and voices. These poems will serve as a microcosm of the “Black World,” a representation of a world that embraces black people and their identities.
The lines foresee a world that acknowledges and celebrates black culture, as well as their voices and thoughts. He encourages all black men to self-expression and to join him in this vision and to share their stories and truths. The lines encourage self-expression, whether in a tranquil manner or in a passionate release.
Themes
Resistance
‘Black Art’ is Baraka’s unapologetic cry as the spokesman and motivator of oppressed black men’s souls. From the first few words, “Poems are bullshit,” the poet shocks the reader with what appears to be opposition to the mode of expression that he has chosen. The poem is a call to action to reject racial injustices and biased social systems through powerful artistic expressions.
Identity
The poem proclaims the importance of black culture and identity. ‘Black Art’ strives to nurture black identity through a desperate plea dressed in passionate apparel. In anticipation of a “Black World,” he envisions a world in which blacks can stand boldly. These men’s pens will be used to promote their beautiful identities and cultural heritage.
The Revolutionary Role of Art
There is a great focus on the powerful revolutionary role of art in bringing about change. Poetry is highlighted as a channel for transformation. This poetry will “shoot guns,” “wrestle cops of alleys,” and even undermine authority. These are change agents who will transcend segregation and injustice. They will be harnessed for artists to recollect the pride in black heritage and culture, bringing liberation to the oppressed.
FAQS
The poem calls for art as a tool for artistic expression and social reformation. Moreover, it encourages black people to transcend the dominant culture and celebrate their rich cultural history.
The poem echoes the sentiments of the Black Art Movement. Also known as the Black Aesthetic movement, the poem aligns with the goals of the movement. ‘Black Art’ not only celebrates the black culture but also advocates for the empowerment of black people.
The poem has a strong tone of anger and confrontation. These tones symbolize the poet’s indignation at the dire mistreatment experienced by black people.
He encourages them to seek inspiration from their ancestry. He advocates the importance of connecting with one’s heritage, which becomes a major source of motivation against exploitation.
Similar Poems
- ‘Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou: The poem, similar to ‘Black Art,‘ glorifies African Americans’ indomitable spirit in the face of injustice and misfortune.
- ‘I, Too Sing America‘ by Langston Hughes: The poem, written by one of the most famous Harlem Renaissance writers, depicts American culture and the experiences of black males inside it.
- ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers‘ by Langston Hughes: The poem addresses issues of identity and resilience.
