This post highlights the pivotal work of Black artists who helped to bring African-American experiences into the elite art world. Black Arts as a motion speaks straight to the requirements and goals of Black America. The Black artist speaks to the spiritual and cultural requirements of Black individuals in their artistry.
The practitioners of Black arts are encouraged by a desire to face white power structures and assert an African American cultural identity. Black arts intend to serve the neighborhood and artists.
Today’s post was written by Tiffany Walker, Archivist in the Textual Processing Division at the National Archives at College Park
Frederick Douglass was a social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in the Northern states and gained a following via his enrapturing speeches and antislavery writings. In his time, he was seen as a living example of the potential of formerly enslaved African Americans, who ran counter to slaveholders’ arguments that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as independent American citizens.
Series: Artworks and Mockups for Cartoons Promoting the War Effort and Original Sketches by Charles Alston, ca. 1942 – ca. 1945 (NAID 535673)
Frederick Douglass, one of the foremost social reformers of the 19th century, was born into slavery in 1817 or 1818. Having gained his freedom as a young man, he devoted his life to the cause of human freedom and equality. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Frederick Douglass as Minister-Resident and Counsel General to the Republic of Haiti. Douglass had long admired the people of Haiti for fighting for and winning their independence, and, as this letter illustrates, he readily accepted the position. He served as Minister to Haiti until July 30, 1891.
In the series Despatches from US Consular Officers (National Archives Identifier 302033) there is Douglass’ letter of acceptance to this appointment. Here is the letter below:
Black artists emphasize racial pride, a gratitude of African heritage, and a dedication to produce works that reflect the culture and experiences of black people. In each era, events of the day galvanize black artists to develop, organize, and transform the world.