Glossary
Adinkra Symbols
Visual symbols from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa, that represent concepts or aphorisms, adopted by the "Black is Beautiful" movement to connect with African wisdom and heritage.
Example:
The Sankofa bird, an Adinkra Symbol meaning "go back and get it," encourages learning from the past to build a better future.
African American Studies
An interdisciplinary academic field that examines the history, culture, politics, and social experiences of African Americans and the African diaspora.
Example:
The "Black is Beautiful" movement directly contributed to the establishment of African American Studies departments in universities, pushing for the inclusion of Black perspectives in academia.
Afrocentricity
An intellectual and cultural perspective that places Africa and the experiences of African people at the center of historical, cultural, and philosophical inquiry, emphasizing African contributions to world knowledge.
Example:
An academic course on ancient civilizations might adopt an Afrocentricity approach by focusing on the achievements of ancient Egypt and Nubia.
Black Power Movement
A political and social movement in the 1960s and 1970s that advocated for self-determination, racial pride, and the creation of Black political and cultural institutions.
Example:
The call for self-determination within the Black Power Movement resonated deeply with the "Black is Beautiful" movement's emphasis on defining Black identity from within.
Black is Beautiful" Movement
A cultural and political movement of the 1960s and 1970s that celebrated Black beauty, culture, and heritage, rejecting Eurocentric beauty standards and stereotypes of inferiority.
Example:
The "Black is Beautiful" Movement encouraged African Americans to embrace their natural hair and wear dashikis as symbols of pride and cultural identity.
Civil Rights Movement
A pivotal social movement in the United States from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and secure equal rights under the law.
Example:
The energy and goals of the Civil Rights Movement provided a crucial foundation for the "Black is Beautiful" movement's push for self-determination and pride.
Dashikis
Colorful, loose-fitting garments originating from West Africa, adopted by many African Americans during the "Black is Beautiful" movement as a symbol of cultural pride and connection to African heritage.
Example:
Wearing a dashiki became a visible way for individuals to express their solidarity with the "Black is Beautiful" movement and their connection to African roots.
Eurocentric Ideals
Cultural, aesthetic, and historical standards or perspectives that prioritize or center European norms and values, often to the exclusion or marginalization of others.
Example:
The "Black is Beautiful" movement directly challenged Eurocentric Ideals that promoted lighter skin and straightened hair as the epitome of beauty.
Eurocentrism
A worldview that centers European or Western civilization, often viewing other cultures through a European lens and sometimes leading to the marginalization or misrepresentation of non-European perspectives.
Example:
Traditional history textbooks that primarily focus on European empires and discoveries, while omitting or minimizing African civilizations, exemplify Eurocentrism.
Kathleen Cleaver
A prominent figure in the Black Power movement and a key advocate for natural hair as a symbol of Black pride and resistance during the "Black is Beautiful" era.
Example:
Kathleen Cleaver's public statements and advocacy helped popularize the Afro as a powerful symbol challenging Eurocentric beauty standards.
Kwanzaa
An annual celebration of African American heritage, culture, and community, observed from December 26 to January 1, based on African harvest festival traditions and Swahili principles.
Example:
Families might light candles on a kinara during Kwanzaa to honor the seven principles, such as Umoja (unity) and Kujichagulia (self-determination).
Maya Angelou
A celebrated African American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist whose work, like "Still I Rise," embodies themes of resilience, empowerment, and cultural memory for African Americans.
Example:
Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise" serves as an anthem of perseverance, inspiring strength in the face of adversity and celebrating the enduring spirit of Black people.
Monolithic Identity
A critique of Afrocentricity, suggesting that it sometimes oversimplifies the vast diversity within the African continent and diaspora by assuming a single, unified African identity.
Example:
Assuming that all people of African descent share identical cultural practices or beliefs would be an example of promoting a Monolithic Identity.
Natural Hair Revolution
A significant aspect of the "Black is Beautiful" movement where African Americans embraced and celebrated their natural hair textures, such as Afros, cornrows, and dreadlocks, as symbols of pride and resistance.
Example:
The Natural Hair Revolution saw Afros become a powerful visual statement, symbolizing a rejection of assimilation and an embrace of Black identity.
Rejection of Assimilation
A principle of the "Black is Beautiful" movement that challenged the idea that Black people should conform to dominant (white) cultural norms to achieve success or acceptance, instead advocating for the affirmation of distinct Black cultural identities.
Example:
The embrace of natural hairstyles was a clear rejection of assimilation, as it defied the pressure to straighten hair to fit mainstream beauty standards.