What is the function of art
During the Renaissance Period and Age of Enlightenment, the function of art became a political awakening for the people through the literary works of Martin Luther King. This emerged the period that became known as the Harlem Renaissance or the “New Negro Movement” since most of the artists and playwrights were inspired to include social barriers and transformations of the meanings of race and culture. It was the time when the American modernist movement was regarded as the “evasion of philosophy” (Hutchinson 30). As a result, the Renaissance Period and the Age of Enlightenment became the catalyst that fired American culture nationalism among black and white intellects.
In one of the literary works of Martin Luther King Jr. which was entitled The “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, he condemned the injustices committed against black Americans. While he was in prison in 1963, he wrote the letter to celebrate the birth of the civil rights movement through non-violent means. He responded to the issues raised by 8 white clergy who criticized him for promoting the rights of black Americans. His powerful words awakened the minds of the blacks who were subjugated by the corrupt religious leaders. These people are supposed to be the servants of God to help the oppressed, but instead resorted to unwarranted force to do injustice. The letter is meant to defy the prejudices against the oppressed people especially the blacks. He preferred to use diplomacy to avoid bloodshed. King has been identified as a civil rights advocate fought against aggression and brutality in the society. He called out to the human race, regardless of color, sex and religion to unite and promote equality, peace, and justice. This was evident in the lines, “All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but it is possible that you are in too great a religious hurry” (King, 1963). His letter is intended to make uplift injustices done against the black Americans. As a civil rights advocate, his ideals became the voice his fellowmen. Another famous literary piece of Luther King was in the form of a speech he delivered called “I Have a Dream”. Here, he was able to inspire America to work together for change to unite the nation and should judge based on the color of a person’s skin by breaking all barriers of racial discrimination. This act of King was the epitome of his works because it motivated America’s conscience.
These forms of literature became the medium to stop all forms of discrimination committed by the rich, powerful, persons in authority and the religious sector. Luther King particularly mentioned the abusive white policemen, who use their power to manipulate the black Americans when he stated that “But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim” (King, 1963). He detested rough treatment given to the blacks and described police cruelty every time they exerted physical force against his fellow blacks. The purpose of King’s written composition is to expose his sentiments against racism and human conflict as he expressed optimism in his battle despite the extreme prejudices committed against the blacks. He condemned the white church and its leadership for doing injustice. The focal point of this letter is to uplift the condition of blacks who were denied of their rights. He used powerful words to reach out to church leaders to defeat all forms of injustice against black Americans through appeals to higher spiritual principles. It is a method of a non-violent protest without resorting to force. He made use of powerful words to achieve freedom and justice for all.
The work of Du Bois entitled “Criteria of Negro Art” has reassessed and consulted every feature of African-American life, culture, thought and history of the “double-consciousness” of black business in the economic philosophy that he has established (Fontenot, Morgan and Gardner 70). Despite his criticism on capitalism and his concern for people of color all over the world, he acknowledged the reality of black Americans who lived in a capitalist society wherein wealth was derived from business activities that exploited blacks. He condemned the labor exploitation of blacks by the whites as he manifested his view of the potentially exploitative power of the white when he stated “This work must be inferior because it comes from colored people” (Du Bois, “Criteria of Negro Art”). Du Bois stressed further that the blacks have plenty of good hard work that is alongside pain and suffering in life. However, the sacrifice of waiting has a reward since the black will be glorified for the world they created and they deserve a place in America and the world. The end result will be a world with equal opportunities even for the blacks, as they learn how to enjoy life and to create a designated place in this world.
Therefore, art has performed a significant role in the development of political awareness during the Renaissance Period through literature, painting and arts to fight for the same revolutionary principle all for democracy. This era did see a marked increase in output by African- American writers, visual artists, and musicians all over the world. It has ignited the interest in black culture by promote their work to initiate the civil rights movement.
Bibliography
Du Bois, W.E.B. Criteria of Negro Art. Web. June 21, 2013,
http://www.coreknowledge.org/mimik/mimik_uploads/documents/297/Du%20Bois%20WEB%20%20Criteria%20of%20Negro%20Art.pdf.
Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. Web. June 21, 2013, http://www.bartleby.com/114/1.html.
Fontenot, Chester J. Jr., Morgan Mary Alice and Gardner, Sarah. W.E.B. Du Bois and Race.
Georgia: Mercer University Press, 2001. Print.
Hutchinson, George. The Harlem Renaissance in Black and White. New York: Harvard
King, Martin Luther Jr. Letter from Birmingham Jail. 1963. Web. June 21, 2013,
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html.
