#AP African American Studies: Négritude & Negrismo - The Night Before Review 🚀

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the exam with a super focused review of Négritude and Negrismo. We'll break down the key concepts, make some connections, and get you feeling confident. Let's go!

#Négritude and Negrismo: Reclaiming Black Identity

# Context and Connections 🌍

• Emergence: Négritude and Negrismo blossomed in the early to mid-20th century, celebrating African heritage among Afro-descendants. Think of it as a global shout-out to Black culture!
• Mutual Reinforcement: These movements weren't isolated; they boosted each other and were inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New Negro movement. It's like a global conversation on Black identity. 🗣️
• Shared Goals: All three movements (New Negro, Négritude, and Negrismo) championed cultural pride and political liberation for Black people. They aimed to uplift and empower Black communities. 💪
• Different Focuses: While united in purpose, they had different angles. The New Negro movement focused on the US, while Négritude and Negrismo had a more global, anti-colonial lens. Think of it like a family with different personalities but a shared sense of belonging.
• New Negro Movement: Centered on the African American experience, particularly the struggle against Jim Crow laws and lynching in the U.S. This movement was about fighting for civil rights on American soil. ✊
• Négritude & Negrismo: Focused on the broader African diaspora and the impacts of colonialism in French and Spanish Caribbean colonies. They were fighting against the legacy of colonial rule. ⚔️

# Shared Emphasis and Differences 💡

• Négritude: Meaning "Blackness" in French, this was a political, cultural, and literary movement from the 1930s-1950s. It was a powerful statement of identity and resistance. ✊🏿
  • Origin: Started with French-speaking Caribbean and African writers protesting colonialism and assimilation into European culture. They were saying, "We are not European!" 🙅🏾
  • Key Figures: Aimé Césaire (Martinique), Léon Damas (French Guiana), and Léopold Sédar Senghor (Senegal). These are your Négritude MVPs! 🏆
• Negrismo: Emerged in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean around the same time. It was a celebration of African contributions to Latin American culture. 🎉
  • Focus: Embraced by Black and mixed-race Latin Americans, celebrating African influences in music, folklore, literature, and art. It was all about showcasing the vibrancy of Afro-Latin culture. 🎶
  • Key Figures: Nicolás Guillén (Cuba) and Luis Palés Matos (Puerto Rico). These are your Negrismo heroes! 🦸
• Common Ground: Both sought to reclaim and celebrate African heritage. They were both about pride and reclaiming their roots. 🌱
• Key Difference: Négritude had a more explicit political and anti-colonial stance, while Negrismo focused more on cultural expressions and African influence on Latin American identity. Think of Négritude as the political activist and Negrismo as the cultural ambassador. 🤝

# Négritude Movement Origins 📚

• Parisian Roots: Developed among African and Caribbean students in Paris in the 1930s. Paris was the hub of intellectual and artistic exchange. 🇫🇷
• Harlem Renaissance Influence: Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the ideas of the New Negro movement. It's like a transatlantic dialogue on Black identity. 🗣️
• Rejection of Assimilation: Rejected the French colonial policy of assimilation and the idea of French cultural superiority. They were saying, "We don't need to be like you!" 🙅
• Psychological Liberation: Aimé Césaire argued that embracing African heritage was essential for the psychological liberation of Black people. It was about healing the wounds of colonialism. 💖
• Césaire's Poem: In his famous poem "Notebook of a Return to the Native Land" (1939), Césaire celebrated his African roots and condemned the oppression of colonialism. This poem is a powerful anthem of Négritude. 📜

# Negrismo in Spanish-Speaking Caribbean 💃🏾

• **Cultural Celebrati...