#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 Celebration: Negrismo writers and artists celebrated the African influence on Caribbean culture and identity. It was a vibrant display of Afro-Caribbean pride. 🎊
• Incorporation of Traditions: They incorporated African rhythms, folklore, and religious traditions into their works (Santería, Vodou). They were bringing their heritage to life. 🥁
• Challenging Eurocentrism: Challenged the dominant Eurocentric culture and the marginalization of Afro-Caribbean people. They were saying, "Our culture matters!" 🙌
• Guillén's Poetry: Nicolás Guillén's poetry collection "Motivos de son" (1930) is a landmark of Negrismo literature. It's a must-know for understanding Negrismo. 📖
• Afro-Cuban Rhythms: Guillén used the rhythms and language of Afro-Cuban music to celebrate Black culture and critique social inequalities. It was music with a message. 🎶
• Artistic Influence: Negrismo also influenced Latin American art, like the paintings of Cuban artist Wifredo Lam. Art became a powerful tool for cultural expression. 🎨
• Lam's Works: Lam's works often depicted Afro-Cuban religious figures and symbols (orishas, Santería altars). His art was a visual representation of Afro-Cuban spirituality. 🖼️

# Critiques of Colonialism 😠

#Rejection of Colonial Civilization 🚫

• Colonialism as Exploitation: Négritude and Negrismo proponents, like Aimé Césaire, rejected the notion that European colonialism civilized colonized subjects. They saw it for what it was: exploitation. 😠
• Racial Ideologies: They argued that racial ideologies underpinned colonial exploitation, violent intervention, and systems of coerced labor. Racism was the engine of colonialism. ⚙️
• Césaire's "Discourse on Colonialism": In his "Discourse on Colonialism" (1950), Césaire condemned the brutality and hypocrisy of European colonial rule. This is a key text for understanding anti-colonial thought. 📜
• Challenging White Supremacy: Négritude writers challenged the idea of white supremacy and the supposed inferiority of African cultures. They were reclaiming their dignity and worth. ✊
• Celebrating African Culture: They celebrated African history, art, and spirituality as equal to or superior to European culture. They were highlighting the richness and depth of African civilization. 👑
• Senghor's "African Socialism": Léopold Sédar Senghor promoted the concept of "African socialism" based on traditional African values of community and sharing. He was envisioning a new social order rooted in African values. 🌍

#Connections to Global Capitalism 💰

• Interconnected Struggles: African Americans saw connections between Négritude, Negrismo, and their own critique of global capitalism and racism. They understood that these struggles were interconnected. 🔗
• Fauset's Critique: Jessie Redmon Fauset, editor of the NAACP journal The Crisis, condemned racism and colonialism as interrelated means of dehumanizing people of African descent. She saw the big picture. 👁️
• Hughes' Solidarity: Langston Hughes traveled to Cuba and Spain in the 1930s and expressed solidarity with Afro-Cuban struggles. He was a bridge between cultures. 🌉
• Capitalism and Oppression: Négritude and Negrismo writers linked the oppression of Black people to the exploitative nature of global capitalism. They understood that capitalism was a tool of oppression. 🛠️
• Césaire's Communism: Aimé Césaire was a member of the French Communist Party and saw the liberation of colonized peoples as part of a broader struggle against capitalist imperialism. He saw revolution as the path to liberation. ✊
• Guillén's Denunciation: Nicolás Guillén's poetry often denounced the poverty and marginalization of Afro-Cubans under U.S.-backed dictatorships. He was speaking truth to power. 🗣️

# Required Sources 🖼️

#Les Fétiches by Loïs Mailou Jones, 1938

• Cultural Intersection: Loïs Mailou Jones' painting "Les Fétiches" represents a significant intersection of African and African American artistic traditions. It's a visual dialogue between two worlds. 🤝
• Harlem Renaissance: Created during the Harlem Renaissance, this work showcases Jones' exploration of her cultural heritage and her engagement with modernist aesthetics. She was pushing the boundaries of art. 🎨
• Reclaiming African Roots: The piece exemplifies the broader movement among African American artists to reclaim and celebrate their African roots. It was about taking pride in their heritage. 🌱
• Challenging Notions: By incorporating traditional African masks and sculptures, Jones challenged prevailing notions of "primitive" art and asserted the sophistication of African artistic traditions. She was rewriting the narrative. ✍️

#The Jungle (La Jungla) by Wifredo Lam, 1943

• Afro-Cuban Identity: Wifredo Lam's masterpiece captures the complex cultural identity of Afro-Cuban society, blending African, Caribbean, and European influences. It's a melting pot of cultures. 🍲
• Surrealist Style: The painting's surrealist style and hybrid figures reflect the artist's exploration of his own mixed heritage. He was expressing the complexity of identity. 🎭
• Commentary on Colonialism: "The Jungle" serves as a powerful commentary on colonialism, slavery, and cultural resilience in the Americas. It's a visual protest against injustice. 😠
• Spiritual Traditions: By depicting a mystical landscape with mask-like faces and sugarcane, Lam celebrates the enduring spiritual traditions of African diaspora communities. He was honoring the resilience of the human spirit. ✨

#Excerpt from Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire, 1955

• Searing Critique: Aimé Césaire's Discourse on Colonialism provides a searing critique of European colonialism and its devastating impacts on colonized peoples. It's a powerful indictment of colonial rule. 📜
• Postcolonial Studies: As a foundational text in postcolonial studies, it exposes the hypocrisy and brutality of colonial systems while asserting the humanity and dignity of the colonized. It's a must-read for understanding the legacy of colonialism. 📖
• Dehumanization: Césaire's work examines how colonialism dehumanizes both the colonizer and the colonized. It's a critique of the moral bankruptcy of colonialism. 💔
• Connecting Colonialism and Fascism: By connecting colonialism to fascism and challenging notions of Western civilization's superiority, the text offers a powerful framework for understanding global power dynamics. It's about seeing the bigger picture. 🌐

Summary of Césaire's Discourse on Colonialism:

1. Introduction: European civilization is in decline, and colonialism is about exploitation, not civilization.
2. Négritude: Césaire affirms African cultures and Black identity, rejecting European superiority.
3. Critique of Colonialism: Colonialism dehumanizes both the colonizer and the colonized, and it's morally indefensible, comparable to Nazism.
4. Defense of African Cultures: Césaire defends the value of societies destroyed by imperialism, emphasizing their communal and democratic nature.
5. Criticism of Colonial Apologists: He critiques scholars who justify colonialism and denounces attempts to portray Black and African peoples as inferior.
6. The Boomerang Effect: Colonial violence returns to harm Europe itself, reflecting Négritude's idea that Europe's actions undermine its own values.
7. Call for a New Humanism: Césaire advocates for a true humanism that respects all cultures, aligning with Négritude's goal of redefining universal human values.
8. Relevance to Négritude: The text is a key work in the Négritude canon, exemplifying its critique of Western civilization and its affirmation of Black identity and culture.
9. Conclusion: Césaire envisions a new, inclusive society created with input from all peoples, reflecting Négritude's aim of Black cultural and political emancipation.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics: Négritude and Negrismo movements, their origins, key figures, and their critiques of colonialism. Make sure you know the key players and their works!
• Common Question Types: Multiple-choice questions on the core concepts, short answer questions on comparing and contrasting the movements, and free-response questions analyzing primary source excerpts. Practice, practice, practice!
• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back to it later. It's all about pacing yourself.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations and focus on specific examples. Don't just say "they were against colonialism"; explain how they were against it. 📝
• Strategies for Challenging Questions: Read the questions carefully, underline keywords, and plan your response before you start writing. A little planning goes a long way. 🧠

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of the Négritude movement? (A) Promoting assimilation into European culture (B) Celebrating African heritage and resisting colonialism (C) Advocating for civil rights in the United States (D) Focusing on economic development in Africa

2. Which artist is most closely associated with the Negrismo movement? (A) Langston Hughes (B) Aimé Césaire (C) Nicolás Guillén (D) Loïs Mailou Jones

3. What was a key critique made by Aimé Césaire in his "Discourse on Colonialism"? (A) That colonialism was a civilizing mission (B) That colonialism was a form of exploitation and dehumanization (C) That colonialism was beneficial to both colonizers and colonized (D) That colonialism was a necessary step for economic development

#Free Response Question

Question: Analyze the similarities and differences between the Négritude and Negrismo movements, and explain how these movements challenged European colonialism and celebrated African heritage. Use specific examples from the provided sources and your knowledge of the period.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis statement that addresses the similarities and differences between Négritude and Negrismo, and their challenges to colonialism and celebration of African heritage.
• Analysis of Similarities (2 points): Discussion of shared goals, such as reclaiming and celebrating African heritage, promoting cultural pride, and resisting colonial oppression. (1 point for each well-explained similarity.)
• Analysis of Differences (2 points): Discussion of differing focuses, such as Négritude's explicit political and anti-colonial stance versus Negrismo's focus on cultural expressions and African influence on Latin American identity. (1 point for each well-explained difference.)
• Analysis of Challenges to Colonialism (2 points): Explanation of how both movements rejected European cultural superiority, critiqued colonial exploitation, and promoted the value of African cultures, with specific examples from Césaire's "Discourse on Colonialism" and the provided art pieces. (1 point for each well-explained challenge.)
• Analysis of Celebration of African Heritage (2 points): Explanation of how both movements celebrated African history, art, spirituality, and cultural traditions, with specific examples from the provided art pieces and the works of Guillén and Senghor. (1 point for each well-explained celebration.)
• Use of Evidence (2 points): Effective use of evidence from the provided sources (Jones' "Les Fétiches", Lam's "The Jungle", and Césaire's "Discourse on Colonialism") to support the analysis. (1 point for each well-explained use of evidence.)
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the broader context of the African diaspora and anti-colonial struggles.

You've got this! Go ace that exam! 🌟