Summary of The Negritude movement

The video discusses the Negritude movement, a literary and ideological movement that emerged in the 1930s among French African and Caribbean artists and writers in response to colonial oppression. It highlights the historical context of colonialism, particularly in Africa, and the cultural assimilation imposed by French rule.

Key Artistic Techniques, Concepts, and Creative Processes

• Themes of the Negritude movement:
  • Black pride and cultural affirmation
  • Emphasis on African heritage and history
  • Anti-forced assimilation sentiments
• Key Figures:
  • Founding fathers: Léopold Sédar Senghor, Aimé Césaire, and Léon Damas
  • Influences from the Harlem Renaissance, including figures like Langston Hughes and Claude McKay
• Significant Contributions:
  • The publication of "L’Étudiant Noir" (The Black Student) in 1935 by Senghor, Césaire, and Damas
  • Damas' poetry collection "Pigments" in 1937, which addressed internalized racism and the conditions of colonization
• Communication and History:
  • The movement's history is often misrepresented, with women like the Nardel sisters receiving little credit for their contributions.
  • The term "Negritude" was coined by Césaire, intended to reclaim a previously derogatory term to uplift African identity.
• Manifestations of the Movement:
  • Various forms of expression, including literature and art, exemplified by artists like Lois Jones.
  • The movement sought to foster pride in African culture and heritage, countering the shame associated with colonial narratives.

Contributors

• Léopold Sédar Senghor
• Aimé Césaire
• Léon Damas
• The Nardel sisters

Notable Quotes

— 05:11 — « The word negritude was intended to be uncomfortable. »

— 06:06 — « This change indicated a shift, a shift in society and where people were now proud to be black. »

— 06:49 — « This reclamation of the word shows how our communication in history matters. »

— 07:29 — « Negritude is not metaphysics, negritude is not a pretentious conception of the universe, it is a way of living history within history. »

— 08:11 — « Ideas about being proud of being black instead of something to be ashamed of. »

Category

Art and Creativity

Video