Glossary
A Raisin in the Sun
A groundbreaking play by Lorraine Hansberry, first performed in 1959, which depicts a Black family's struggles and aspirations in Chicago's South Side.
Example:
A Raisin in the Sun broke barriers on Broadway, offering a nuanced and powerful portrayal of a Black family's dreams and challenges, resonating with audiences across racial lines.
African American Little Theater Movement
A movement in the early to mid-20th century that saw the emergence of community-based theater groups across the United States, dedicated to producing plays by and about African Americans.
Example:
The African American Little Theater Movement provided crucial spaces for Black artists to develop their craft and tell their own stories, independent of mainstream stages.
American Negro Theater
A significant theater company established in Harlem, New York, which served as a hub of creativity and provided opportunities for Black actors, writers, and directors.
Example:
The American Negro Theater was instrumental in developing talent like Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee, showcasing the immense artistic potential within the Black community.
August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle
A series of ten plays by August Wilson, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, chronicling the African American experience in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Example:
August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, including plays like Fences, offers a profound and comprehensive exploration of Black life, history, and identity throughout the 20th century.
Authentic Representation
The accurate, nuanced, and multifaceted portrayal of a group of people in media, reflecting their true experiences, cultures, and identities.
Example:
The goal of many Black artists in theater, television, and film has been to achieve authentic representation, moving beyond caricatures to show the full spectrum of Black life.
Black Theater in Urban Centers
The flourishing of theatrical companies and productions in cities like Harlem and Chicago during the 20th century, largely fueled by the Great Migration, which provided platforms for Black voices and stories.
Example:
The rise of Black Theater in Urban Centers allowed playwrights to explore themes of racism, identity, and the Black experience with unprecedented depth and authenticity.
Black-ish
A contemporary sitcom that uses humor to address complex issues of race, identity, and relationships within a modern African American family.
Example:
Black-ish exemplifies how television sitcoms can engage in meaningful social commentary, sparking conversations about cultural assimilation, systemic racism, and Black identity in America.
Cultural Phenomenon
An event, trend, or object that captures widespread public attention and significantly influences a society's culture, often becoming a symbol of a particular era or group.
Example:
Soul Train became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, music, and dance for decades and serving as a powerful symbol of Black pride and identity.
Don Cornelius
The visionary creator and host of *Soul Train*, who launched the show in 1971 and nurtured it into a significant cultural institution for over three decades.
Example:
Without Don Cornelius's dedication, the world might never have experienced the groundbreaking platform that was Soul Train, which showcased Black music and dance.
Good Times
A 1970s sitcom that portrayed a working-class Black family living in the Chicago housing projects, facing everyday challenges with resilience and humor.
Example:
Good Times provided a realistic look at the struggles of a working-class Black family, offering a counterpoint to more affluent portrayals and fostering empathy among viewers.
Great Migration
The mass movement of approximately six million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West between 1916 and 1970.
Example:
The Great Migration profoundly reshaped American demographics and culture, leading to the flourishing of Black arts and cultural centers in northern cities.
Independent Black Filmmaking
The practice of Black artists producing and directing films outside of the mainstream Hollywood studio system, often to challenge stereotypes and tell authentic stories.
Example:
Oscar Micheaux was a pioneer of independent Black filmmaking, creating a space for Black narratives and talent when Hollywood largely ignored or misrepresented them.
Oscar Micheaux
A pioneering African American filmmaker who produced and directed nearly 50 films between the 1920s and 1940s, challenging racist stereotypes and creating complex Black characters.
Example:
Oscar Micheaux's dedication to independent Black filmmaking allowed him to tell stories that mainstream Hollywood ignored, paving the way for future generations.
Racial Stereotypes
Oversimplified and often negative generalizations about people based on their race, which have historically been perpetuated in media.
Example:
Early Black filmmakers like Oscar Micheaux actively worked to dismantle harmful racial stereotypes by presenting complex and dignified Black characters on screen.
Social Commentary
The act of using artistic expression, such as film or television, to critique or reflect upon societal issues, norms, or political structures.
Example:
Contemporary series like Black-ish and Insecure use humor and relatable situations to provide sharp social commentary on race, class, and gender in modern America.
Soul Train
A long-running American music-themed television show created by Don Cornelius in 1971, which became a cultural institution by featuring live performances by R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists.
Example:
Soul Train was more than just a show; it was a vibrant platform that introduced mainstream audiences to iconic Black artists and celebrated Black culture, making it a true cultural phenomenon.
Soul Train Line
An iconic segment of the *Soul Train* television show where dancers would form two lines, creating a path down the middle for individuals to showcase their latest dance moves.
Example:
The Soul Train Line became a beloved and recognizable symbol of the show, inspiring countless viewers to try out their own dance moves at home.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
A popular 1990s sitcom starring Will Smith, which depicted a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia moving in with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, California.
Example:
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air used humor to explore themes of class, race, and family dynamics, offering a fresh and engaging portrayal of Black youth and upward mobility.
The Jeffersons
A popular 1970s and 80s sitcom that depicted a Black family achieving upward mobility, moving from a working-class neighborhood to a luxury high-rise apartment.
Example:
The Jeffersons challenged existing television norms by showcasing a successful Black family, contributing to more diverse portrayals of Black life on screen and highlighting themes of upward mobility.
Upward Mobility
The movement of individuals or groups to a higher social or economic position, often depicted in television shows to showcase progress and achievement.
Example:
Sitcoms like The Jeffersons highlighted the theme of upward mobility, showing Black families achieving economic success and challenging traditional portrayals of Black life.
Within Our Gates
A 1920 film by Oscar Micheaux that directly responded to the racist *Birth of a Nation*, depicting the horrors of lynching and the resilience of Black communities.
Example:
The film Within Our Gates served as a powerful counter-narrative, showcasing the brutal realities of racial violence and the strength of African Americans.