NationMaster - Encyclopedia: African American culture

In the United States, African American culture or Black culture includes the various cultural traditions of African American communities. It is both part of, and distinct from American culture. African Americans are officially defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as people having origins in any of the black race groups of Africa.^[1] Their culture begins with Africans who were held as slaves in America. Although the ability of these slaves to practice their cultural traditions was greatly restricted, some of those traditions survived by being blended with elements of American culture. Image File history File links AmericaAfrica. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Atlantic slave trade was the trade of African slaves by Europeans that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. ... The word Maafa (also known as the African Holocaust or Holocaust of Enslavement) is derived from a Kiswahili word meaning disaster, terrible occurrence or great tragedy. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Military history of African Americans is that of African Americans in the United States since the arrival of the first black slaves in 1619 to the present day. ... The Jim Crow Laws were state and local laws enacted in the Southern and border states of the United States and enforced between 1876 and 1965. ... For the automotive term, see redline. ... See also: American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all Americans. ... Prominent figures of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. ... Reparations for slavery is a movement in the United States, which suggests that the government apologize to slave descendants for their hardships, and bestow on them reparations, whether it be in the form of money, land, or other goods. ... African American studies, or Black studies, is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to the study of the history, culture, and politics of African Americans. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... In the United States, Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) are colleges or universities that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the African American community. ... Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. ... African American art is a broad term describing the visual arts of the American black community. ... African American dances in the vernacular tradition (academically known as African American vernacular dance) are those dances which have developed within African American communities in everyday spaces, rather than in dance studios, schools or companies. ... The Color Purple by Alice Walker African American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African descent. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This reproduction of a 1900 minstrel show poster, originally published by the Strobridge Litho Co. ... Detail from cover of The Celebrated Negro Melodies, as Sung by the Virginia Minstrels, 1843 The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the American Civil War, African Americans in blackface. ... The term black church refers to Christian churches that minister to the African American community. ... The Black Buddhist Community in America is historically the first and only organization to propagate Buddhism specifically among persons of black or African descent in the United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and social/political organization founded in the United States by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 with the self-proclaimed goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of the black men and women of America and the rest of the... Black Jew generally refers to people who are both Black and Jewish. ... Black Hebrew Israelites (also Black Hebrews, African Hebrew Israelites, and Hebrew Israelites) are groups of people of African ancestry situated mostly in the United States who claim to be descendants of the ancient Israelites. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Voodoo redirects here. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Santeria (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Black supremacy is a racist[1] ideology which holds that black people are superior to other people and is most often thought of in connection with anti-white racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry towards non-black people. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... â€¹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Black Capitalism is a name for a movement among African Americans to build wealth through the ownership and development of businesses. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... -1... Pan-African people are all people with African physical features. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, generally pronounced as EN Double AY SEE PEE) is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. ... The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Logo. ... â€œCOREâ€ redirects here. ... The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (or SNCC, pronounced snick) was one of the principal organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. ... National Urban League Logo The National Urban League (NUL) is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York City that advocates on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. ... The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is a non-profit organization founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1915 as The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History by Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland. ... United Negro College Fund logo The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia-based American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for African-American students and general scholarship funds for 39 historically black colleges and universities. ... National Black Chamber of Commerce The National Black Chamber of Commerce, (NBCC), was â€œincorporated in March of 1993, in Washington D.C.â€ The organizations mission is â€œTo economically empower and sustain African American communities, through the process of entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with... The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. ... The Links, Incorporated is an exclusive non-profit organization based upon the ideals of combining friendship and community service and was was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 9, 1946, from a group of ladies known as the Philadelphia Club to have focuses on civic, cultural, and educational endeavors[1... Bud Fowler, the first professional black baseball player with one of his teams, Western of Keokuk, Iowa The Negro Leagues were American professional baseball leagues comprising predominantly African-American teams. ... The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference made up of historically black colleges in the southeastern United States. ... logo of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is a College athletic conference consisting of historically black colleges located in the southern United States. ... The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is a collegiate athletic conference which consists of historically black colleges in the southeastern United States. ... The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is a college athletic conference made up of historically black universities in the southern United States. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Gullah language (Sea Island Creole English, Geechee) is a creole language spoken by the Gullah people (also called Geechees), an African American population living on the Sea Islands and the coastal region of the U.S. states of South Carolina and Georgia. ... Louisiana Creole (CrÃ©ole Louisiane and KourÃ-VinÃ, as it is known in and near St. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... Notable African-American or Black people, other than Black Caribbeans. ... This is a list of landmark legislation, court decisions, executive orders, and proclamations in the United States significantly affecting African Americans. ... This is an alphabetical list of African-American-related topics: Contents: Top - 0â€“9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A African American African American contemporary issues African American culture... For other uses, see Culture (disambiguation). ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... American cultural icons, apple pie, baseball, and the American flag. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A Masai man in Kenya Black people or blacks is a political, social or cultural classification of people. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

After emancipation these uniquely African American traditions continued to grow. While African Americans were no longer bound by slavery, African American culture often developed separately from mainstream American culture because of the persistence of racial segregation in America. Consequently African American culture has become a significant part of American culture and yet remains a distinctly unique culture apart from it. Music, art, literature, religion, food, holidays, and many other elements of American culture derive influence from African American culture. Additionally, African American culture draws many of these same elements from other American ethnic groups and from African cultures.^[2] Wikisource has original text related to this article: Emancipation Proclamation Reproduction of the Emancipation Proclamation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. ... The Rex Theatre for Colored People Racial segregation is characterised by separation of different races in daily life, such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a rest room, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home[1]. Segregation... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... This article is about the philosophical concept of Art. ... Old book bindings at the Merton College library. ... In the United States, a holiday is a day set aside by a nation or culture (in some cases, multiple nations and cultures) typically for celebration but sometimes for some other kind of special culture-wide (or national) observation or activity. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

History of African American culture

From the earliest days of slavery, slave owners sought to exercise control over their slaves by stripping them of their African culture. African slaves managed to maintain many elements of their culture. These cultural elements became blended with European American culture to form a distinct culture that is both African and American. The culture of slaves also had an impact on the dominant American culture. Language, music, religion, agriculture amongst others were impacted by early African American culture.^[2] European American is a term for an American of European descent, who are usually referred as White or Caucasian. ...

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (432x640, 24 KB) SOURCE: http://lcweb2. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (432x640, 24 KB) SOURCE: http://lcweb2. ... Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 â€“ January 28, 1960) was an American folklorist and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, best known for the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Harlem Renaissance

The first major explosion of African American culture occurred during the Harlem Renaissance. In the 1920s and 1930s, African American music, literature, and art gained wide notice. Authors such as Zora Neale Hurston and Nella Larsen and poets such as Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Countee Cullen wrote works describing the African American experience. Jazz, swing, blues and other musical forms entered American popular music. African American artists such as William H. Johnson and Palmer Hayden, working mainly through improvisation, created unique works of art featuring African Americans. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 â€“ January 28, 1960) was an American folklorist and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, best known for the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. ... Nella Larsen in 1928 Nella Larsen (April 13, 1891 â€“ March 30, 1964) was a Mulatto novelist of the Harlem Renaissance who wrote two novels and a few short stories. ... Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 â€“ May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and newspaper columnist. ... Claude McKay. ... Countee Cullen, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941 Countee Cullen (May 30, 1903â€“January 9, 1946) was an African-American Romantic poet and an active participant in the Harlem Renaissance. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Swing music, also known as swing jazz, is a form of jazz music that developed during the 1920s and had solidified as a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States. ... â€œBlues musicâ€ redirects here. ... Popular music is music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more of the mass media. ... Palmer Hayden was an American painter who depicted African American life. ...

The Harlem Renaissance was also a time of increased political involvement for African Americans. Among the notable African American political movements founded in the early 20th century are the United Negro Improvement Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The Nation of Islam, a notable Islamic religious movement, also began in the early 1930s.^[3] The Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA) is an international self-help organization founded by Marcus Garvey. ... The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, generally pronounced as EN Double AY SEE PEE) is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. ... The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and social/political organization founded in the United States by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 with the self-proclaimed goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of the black men and women of America and the rest of the... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Black cultural movement 1960s and 1970s

The Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s following the non-violent American Civil Rights Movement. The movement promoted racial pride and ethnic cohesion in contrast to the focus on integration of the Civil Rights Movement, and adopted a more militant posture in the face of racism.^[4] The works of popular recording artists such as Nina Simone (Young, Gifted and Black) and The Impressions (Keep On Pushin'), as well as the poetry, fine arts and literature of the time both shaped and reflected the growing racial and political consciousness of the time.^[5] â€¹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... // The Black Arts Movement is commonly known as the artistic branch of the Black Power movement. ... â€¹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) is a set of assumptions about morality, power and conflict that leads its proponents to reject the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political goals. ... The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all citizens of United States. ... Black pride is a slogan used interchangeably to depict both the movement of and concept within politically active black communities, especially African Americans in the United States and secluding White communities. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Popular music is music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more of the mass media. ... Eunice Kathleen Waymon, better known by her stage name Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 â€“ April 21, 2003), was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist. ... Young, Gifted and Black is a soul album by Aretha Franklin, released in 1971 (see 1971 in music). ... Impressions might refer to: The Impressions (American band), a 1960s/1970s American soul musical act from Chicago, Illinois led by Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. ...

Among the most prominent writers of the Black Power Movement were poet Nikki Giovanni;^[6] poet and publisher Don L. Lee, who later became known as Haki Madhubuti; poet and playwright Leroi Jones, later known as Amiri Baraka; and Sonya Sanchez. Yolande Cornelia Nikki Giovanni (born June 7, 1943 in Knoxville, Tennessee) is a Grammy-nominated American poet, activist and author. ... Haki R. Madhubuti (born Don Luther Lee on February 23, 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States) is a renowned African-American author, educator, and poet. ... Amiri Baraka was born Everett LeRoi Jones on October 7, 1934 in Newark, New Jersey. ...

Another major aspect of the Black Power Movement was the return to a Black, or African, aesthetic, a return to a collective cultural sensibility and ethnic pride that was much in evidence during the Harlem Renaissance and in the celebration of Négritude among the artistic and literary circles in the U.S., Caribbean and the African continent nearly four decades earlier. : the idea that Black is beautiful. During this time, there was a resurgence of interest in, and an embracement of, elements of African culture within African American culture that sometimes suppressed or devalued in Euro-centric America. Natural hairstyles such as the afro and African clothing, such as the dashiki, gained popularity. More importantly, the Black aesthetic encouraged personal pride and political awareness among African Americans.^[7] â€¹The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Woman with an afro at the Tribeca Film Festival For the Italian painter known as Afro, see Afro Basaldella. ... The Dashiki is a colorful mens garment widely worn in West Africa. ...

Art, music and literature

As with the rest of African American culture, the experiences of slavery along with surviving elements of African culture have shaped and influenced traditional and modern African American literature, art and music. The very legislation that was designed to strip African slaves of culture and knowledge, however, served to encourage the development of music and literature through oral traditions.^[8]

Music

African American music finds its earliest roots in the typically polyrhythmic songs from the ethnic groups of West and sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, African American music is far more than entertainment. The African oral traditions, nurtured in slavery, encouraged the use of music to pass on history, teach lessons, ease suffering, and pass on messages. Features common to African American music styles include call and response, syncopation, percussion, swung note, complex multi-part harmony.^[8] During slavery, Blacks blended traditional European hymns with African rhythms to create spirituals.^[9] In the 1800s African American music began to play a pivotal role in American popular music. Ragtime, jazz, blues, and swing are among the American musical genres that developed in the late 19th and early 20th century in the African American community. The early 20th century also saw the creation of the first Black Broadway shows, films such as King Vidor's Hallelujah!, and operas such as George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Rock and roll, doo wop, soul, and R&B developed in the mid 20th century. These genres became very popular in White audiences and were influences for other genres such as surf. The Black Cultural Movement of the 1960s and 1970s fueled the growth of funk and later hip-hop forms such as rap, hip house, new jack swing and go go. African American music has experienced far more widespread acceptance in American popular music in the 21st century than ever before. In addition to continuing to develop newer musical forms, modern artists have also started a rebirth of older genres in the form of genres such as neo soul and modern funk-inspired groups.^[10] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Polyrhythm is the simultaneous sounding of two or more independent rhythms. ... For other uses, see Song (disambiguation). ... Western Africa (UN subregion) Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... A political map showing national divisions in relation to the ecological break (Sub-Saharan Africa in green) A geographical map of Africa, showing the ecological break that defines the sub-Saharan area Sub-Saharan Africa is the term used to describe the area of the African continent which lies south... The term Call and response may refer to Call and response -- a type of musical phrasing Call-and-response -- a type of communication Call and Response is a Californian pop band. ... In music, syncopation is when a stressing of a normally unstressed beat in a bar or failure to sound a tone on an accented beat occurs. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a god or other religiously significant figure. ... == Historical background on spiritual music Spirituals were often expressions of religious faith, although they may also have served as socio-political protests veiled as assimilation to white, American culture. ... Look up ragtime in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... â€œBlues musicâ€ redirects here. ... Swing music, also known as swing jazz, is a form of jazz music that developed during the 1920s and had solidified as a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States. ... Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States. ... â€œMoving pictureâ€ redirects here. ... King Vidor King Wallis Vidor (February 8, 1894 â€“ November 1, 1982) was an American film director. ... The film Hallelujah! (1929) was an MGM musical directed by King Vidor and starring Daniel L. Hayes and the then unknown Nina Mae McKinney. ... â€œGershwinâ€ redirects here. ... The cast of Porgy and Bess during the Boston try-out prior to the Broadway opening. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... For the Lauryn Hill single, see Doo Wop (That Thing). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... Look up surf on Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Hip hop (disambiguation). ... RAP may mean: the IATA airport code for Rapid City Regional Airport Rassemblement pour lalternative progressiste, a QuÃ©becois political party. ... Hip house, also known as house rap, is a mixture of house music and hip-hop which arose during the 1980s in New York. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Go-go is a subgenre of funk which originated in the Washington, D.C. area during the mid- to late-1970s. ... Neo soul (also known as nu soul) is a musical genre of the late 1990s and early 2000s that fuses contemporary R&B, 1970s style soul, classical music, jazz, and elements of alternative-hip hop. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ...

African American national anthem

In addition to the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, African Americans also sing Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing as a national anthem. Written by James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson in 1900 to be performed for the birthday of Abraham Lincon, the song was a popular way for African Americans to voice their patriotism and their hope for a better future in a nation that treated them as second-class citizens. The song was adopted as the Negro National Anthem by the NAACP in 1919.^[11] African American children are taught the song at school, church or by their families. Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing is traditionally sung immediately following The Star-Spangled Banner at events hosted by African American churches, schools, and other organizations.^[12] African American flag Lift Evry Voice and Sing â€” often called The Black National Anthem â€” was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogising the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognised either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States, with lyrics written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. ... African American flag Lift Evry Voice and Sing â€” often called The Black National Anthem â€” was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899. ... James Weldon Johnson, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1932 James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 â€“ June 26, 1938) was a leading American author, poet, early civil rights activist, and prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. ... John Rosamond Johnson John Rosamond Johnson (1873 - 1954) was an American composer & singer. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 â€“ April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... Defence of the fatherland is a commonplace of patriotism: The statue in the courtyard of Ã‰cole polytechnique, Paris, commemorating the students involvement in defending France against the 1814 invasion of the Coalition. ... The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is one of the oldest and most influential hate organizations in the United States. ...

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Cakewalk is a traditional African American form of music and dance which originated among slaves in the US South. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ...

Dance

African American dance, like other aspects of African American culture, finds its earliest roots in the dances of the hundreds of African ethnic groups that made up Black slaves in the Americas as well as influences from European sources in the United States. Dance in the African tradition, and thus in the tradition of slaves, was a part of both every day life and special occasions. Slaves in North America were more severely restricted from dancing than slaves in the Caribbean and South America. These slaves, however, often found ways around such rules. For example, if lifting one's feet was seen as dancing, then slaves would use shuffling along with hip and torso movements to create dances such as the ring shout, calenda, and juba. African American dances in the vernacular tradition (academically known as African American vernacular dance) are those dances which have developed within African American communities in everyday spaces, rather than in dance studios, schools or companies. ... African American dances in the vernacular tradition (academically known as African American vernacular dance) are those dances which have developed within African American communities in everyday spaces, rather than in dance studios, schools or companies. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... â€œWest Indianâ€ redirects here. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... A shout or ring shout is an ecstatic dance ritual, first practiced by African slaves in the West Indies and the United States, in which worshippers move in a circle while shuffling their feet and clapping their hands. ... It has been suggested that kalinda be merged into this article or section. ... The Juba dance or hambone, originally known as Pattin Juba (Giouba, Haiti: Djouba), is a style of dance that involves stomping as well as slapping and patting the arms, legs, chest, and cheeks. ...

In the 1800s, Black dance began to appear in minstrel shows. These shows often presented Blacks as caricatures for ridicule to large audiences. The first African American dance to become popular with White dancers was the cakewalk in 1891. Later dances to follow in this tradition include the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, and the Jitterbug. During the Harlem Renaissance, all Black Broadway shows such as Shuffle Along helped to establish and legitimize African American dancers. Black dance forms such as tap, a combination of African and European influences, gained widespread popularity thanks to dancers such as Bill Robinson and were used by leading White choreographers who often hired Black dancers. Detail from cover of The Celebrated Negro Melodies, as Sung by the Virginia Minstrels, 1843 The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the American Civil War, African Americans in blackface. ... Caricature of Alan Greenspan by Jan Op De Beeck. ... European American is a term for an American of European descent, who are usually referred as White or Caucasian. ... Cakewalk is a traditional African American form of music and dance which originated among slaves in the US South. ... Josephine Baker dancing the Charleston at the Folies BergÃ¨re, Paris, in 1926 A USPS stamp from the Celebrate the Century series: Flappers Doing the Charleston by John Held Jr. ... Dancing the lindy hop at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Sacramento, California, USA (2006) Lindy hop is an African American dance that evolved in New York City in the late 1920s and early 1930s. ... The Jitterbug is a swing dance, a subset of Lindy Hop, with an emphasis on 6-count moves and fast spins. ... Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States. ... Shuffle Along premiered in 1921, written and composed by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and was the first major African American hit musical of the 1920s. ... Look up tap in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bill Bojangles Robinson (May 25, 1878 â€“ November 25, 1949) was a pioneer and pre-eminent African-American tap dance performer. ...

Contemporary African American dance is descended from these earlier forms and also draws influence from African and Caribbean dance forms. Groups such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have continued to contribute to the growth of this form. Modern popular dance in America is also greatly influenced by African American dance. American popular dance has also drawn many influences from African American dance most notably in the hip hop genre.^[13] â€œWest Indianâ€ redirects here. ... The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a modern dance company based in New York, New York. ... Breakdance, the first hip hop dance style, performed at MTV Street Festival, Thailand. ...

Image File history File linksMetadata E.J.Martin. ... Image File history File linksMetadata E.J.Martin. ... Eugene J. Martin, self-portrait, 1990 Eugene James Martin (b. ...

Art

African Americans have participated in the visual arts since their earliest presence in America. Black artisans such as weavers, blacksmiths, and potters were held as slaves throughout the American south. After the American Civil War, it became increasingly acceptable to display the work of African American artists in museums and galleries. Cultural expression was still limited by the dominant European aesthetic and by racial prejudice. To increase the visibility of their work, many African American artists traveled to Europe where they had greater freedom. It was not until the Harlem Renaissance that African American art began to be noticed in America. During the 1920s artists such as Richmond Barthé, Aaron Douglas, and photographer James Van Der Zee became well known for their work. The great depression and subsequent years saw a decline in African American art. The Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, however, saw a resurgence of African American Art. Notable contemporary African American artists include David Hammons, Eugene J. Martin, and Kara Walker.^[14] African American art is a broad term describing the visual arts of the American black community. ... Many times, the term art is used to refer to the visual arts. ... An artisan, also called a craftsman,[1] is a skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular craft. ... Genera Many:see text The Weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. ... A blacksmith A blacksmith at work A blacksmith at work A blacksmiths fire Hot metal work from a blacksmith A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from iron or steel by forging the metal; i. ... // Look up Potter in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Aesthetics (or esthetics) (from the Greek word αισθητική) is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty. ... THE FUTURE OF BRITAIN, LONG LIVE THE WHITES!!!!! ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... James Richmond BarthÃ© (January 28, 1901 - March 5, 1989) was an American Creole sculptor recognized as one of the foremost sculptors of his generation, and is known for his many public works, including the Toussaint Lâ€™Ouverture Monument in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and a sculpture of Rose McClendon for... Power Plant, Harlem by Aaron Douglas in oil, 1939. ... James Van Der Zee (June 29, 1886 - May 15, 1983) was an African American photographer best known for his portraits of black New Yorkers. ... For other uses, see The Great Depression (disambiguation). ... David Hammons, African American Flag, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. ... Eugene J. Martin, self-portrait, 1990 Eugene James Martin (b. ... Kara Walker, Cut, Cut paper and adhesive on wall, Brent Sikkema NYC. Kara Walker (born November 26, 1969) is a contemporary American artist who is best known for her exploration of race, gender, sexuality, Violence and identity in her artworks. ...

Literature

African American literature has its roots in the oral traditions of African slaves in America. The slaves used stories and fables in much the same way as they used music.^[8] These stories influenced the earliest African American writers and poets in the 18th century such as Phillis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano. These authors reached early high points by telling slave narratives. During the early 20th century the Harlem Renaissance saw a number of authors and poets such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Dubois, and Booker T. Washington engage on how to respond to discrimination in America. Authors during the American Civil Rights movement, such as Richard Wright and Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about issues of racial segregation and Black nationalism. This tradition continues today with authors who have been accepted as an integral part of American literature with works such as Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, and Beloved by Toni Morrison achieving both best-selling and award-winning status.^[15] Image File history File links Langston_Hughes_by_Nickolas_Muray. ... Image File history File links Langston_Hughes_by_Nickolas_Muray. ... Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 â€“ May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and newspaper columnist. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... The poor poet A poet is a person who writes poetry. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Color Purple by Alice Walker African American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African descent. ... For a comparison of fable with other kinds of stories, see Myth, legend, fairy tale, and fable. ... Phillis Wheatley, as illustrated by Scipio Moorhead in the frontispiece to her book Poems on Various Subjects. ... Olaudah Equiano Frontpage of The interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano Olaudah Equiano (c. ... The slave narrative is a literary form which grew out of the experience of enslaved Africans in the New World. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 â€“ May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and newspaper columnist. ... W. E. B. Du Bois William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (pronounced ) (February 23, 1868 â€“ August 27, 1963) was a civil rights activist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar, and socialist. ... Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856 â€“ November 14, 1915) was an American educator, author and leader of the African American community. ... The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all citizens of United States. ... For other persons of the same name, see Richard Wright. ... Gwendolyn Brooks (June 7, 1917 â€“ December 3, 2000) was an award-winning African American woman poet. ... The Rex Theatre for Colored People Racial segregation is characterised by separation of different races in daily life, such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a rest room, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home[1]. Segregation... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... American literature refers to written or literary work produced in the area of the United States and Colonial America. ... Categories: Literature stubs | 1976 books | American novels | Books starting with S ... Alexander Palmer Haley (August 11, 1921 â€“ February 10, 1992) was an American writer. ... The Color Purple is a 1982 novel by Alice Walker which received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. ... Alice Malsenior Walker (born February 9, 1944) is an American author and feminist. ... Beloved is a 1987 novel by Toni Morrison about the legacy of slavery. ... For the Louisiana politician, see deLesseps Morrison, Jr. ...

Language

Generations of hardships imposed on the African American community created distinctive language patterns. Slave owners often intentionally mixed people who spoke different African languages to discourage communication in any language other than English. This, combined with prohibitions against education, led to the development of pidgins, simplified mixtures of two or more languages that speakers of different languages could use to communicate.^[16] Examples of pidgins that became fully developed languages include Creole, common to Haiti,^[17] and Gullah, common to the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.^[18] African American Vernacular English is a type variety (dialect, ethnolect and sociolect) of the American English language spoken by some African Americans that shares some grammatical and orthographically features with Creole and West African languages. While AAVE is academically considered to be a legitimate dialect, it is often viewed by teachers and other members of the middle-class, regardless of race or ethnicity, as either slang or the result of a poor understanding of the English language.^[19] A pidgin is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups who do not share a common language, in situations such as trade. ... Look up Creole, creole in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Sea Islands are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area Ranked 40th - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 kmÂ²) - Width 200 miles (320 km) - Length 260 miles (420 km) - % water 6 - Latitude 32Â° 2â€² N to 35Â° 13â€² N - Longitude... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... A dialect (from the Greek word Î´Î¹Î¬Î»ÎµÎºÏ„Î¿Ï‚, dialektos) is a variety of a language characteristic of a particular group of the languages speakers. ... Ethnolect is a variant of a language spoken by a certain ethnic/cultural subgroup and distinguishing them as a mark of social identity. ... In linguistics, a sociolect is the language spoken by a social group, social class or subculture. ... For other uses, see American English (disambiguation). ... Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speakers dialect or language. ...

Names

African American names are often drawn from the same language groups as traditional European names found in the United States. This is drawn from the practice of renaming a slave to a more recognizable name. Names drawn from the Bible or classical Greek or Roman literature were common. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... Latin literature, the body of written works in the Latin language, remains an enduring legacy of the culture of ancient Rome. ...

Freed slaves often retained these names along with the surnames of their former owners or the names of popular historical or contemporary figures of social importance. Returning to traditional African names was not practical for two reasons. First, many slaves were several generations removed from their African ancestors and largely separated from African culture. Second, a traditional American name helped a freedman or -woman better fit into American society. A family name, surname, or last name is the part of a persons name that indicates to what family he or she belongs. ...

The practice of adopting neo-African or Islamic names did not gain popularity until the late Civil Rights era when greater efforts to recover African heritage inspired the selection of names with deeper cultural significance. A precursor to this practice was that of making up names. In an attempt to create their own identity, growing numbers of African American parents, starting in the post-World War II era, began creating new names based on sounds they found pleasing such as Marquon, Davon, LaTasha, or Shandra.^[20] World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( â–¶ (helpÂ· info)), the submission to God) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions and the worlds second-largest religion. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Religion

While African Americans practice a number of religions, Protestant Christianity is by far the most popular.^[21] Additionally, 14% of Muslims in the United States and Canada are African American.^[22] Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…Ø§Ù†, Turkish: MÃ¼slÃ¼man, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ...

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1104x576, 91 KB)Wade in the Water. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1104x576, 91 KB)Wade in the Water. ... Baptism in early Christian art. ...

Christianity

The religious culture of African American Christians is known as the Black church. During slavery, many slaves were stripped of their African belief systems and typically denied free religious practice. Slaves managed, however, to hang on to some practices by integrating them into Christian worship in secret meetings. These practices, including dance, shouts, African rhythms, and enthusiastic singing, remain a large part of worship in the Black church. Black churches taught that all people were equal in God's eyes and viewed the doctrine of obedience to ones master taught in White churches as hypocritical.^[23] Instead the Black church focused on the message of equality and hopes for a better future. ^[24] Before and after emancipation, racial segregation in America prompted the development of organized Black Denominations. The first of these was the AME Church founded by Richard Allen in 1787.^[23] A Black church is not necessarily a separate denomination. Several predominantly Black churches exist as members of predominantly White denominations.^[25] Black churches have served to provide Blacks with leadership positions and opportunities to organize that were denied in mainstream American society. Because of this Black pastors became the bridge between the Black and White communities and thus played a crucial role in the American Civil Rights Movement.^[26] The term black church refers to Christian churches that minister to the African American community. ... The term black church refers to Christian churches that minister to the African American community. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Emancipation Proclamation Reproduction of the Emancipation Proclamation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Wycliffe Tyndale Â· Luther Â· Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Pope Â· Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box: A denomination, in the... The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the AME Church, is a Christian denomination founded by Bishop Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816. ... Richard Allen (February 14, 1760 - March 26, 1831) an African American pastor and the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. ... The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all citizens of United States. ...

Islam

Generations before the advent of the Atlantic slave trade, Islam was a thriving religion in West Africa. Slaves in the Americas were often forcibly converted to Christianity and while first-generation slaves were often able to retain their Muslim identity, their descendants were not. In the decades after slavery, some Black leaders sought to provide freed slaves with self-esteem and an opportunity to reconnect with their Islamic roots. The best known of these movements is the Black nationalist and Black supremacist Nation of Islam founded by Wallace Fard in 1930 and lead by Elijah Muhammad from 1934. Much like Malcolm X, however, who left the Nation of Islam in 1964, many African American Muslims now follow traditional Islam.^[27] A survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations shows that 30% of Sunni Mosque attendees are African Americans.^[22] African American traditional Muslims are sometimes viewed as "invisible" because many in America assume that a Black Muslim is a follower of the Nation of Islam.^[28] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Atlantic slave trade was the trade of African slaves by Europeans that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... Western Africa (UN subregion) Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Â· Other religions Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury Â· Catholic Pope Coptic Pope Â· Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box: Christianity is... Black nationalism is a political and social movement prominent in the 1960s and early 70s among African Americans in the United States. ... Black supremacy is the belief that blacks are genetically or racially superior to people of other racial backgrounds. ... The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and social/political organization founded in the United States by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 with the self-proclaimed goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of the black men and women of America and the rest of the... Wallace Fard Muhammad (1877-1893? â€“ after 1934) was a preacher and founder of the Black-nationalist movement the Nation of Islam (NOI), establishing its first mosque in Detroit. ... Elijah Muhammad Elijah Muhammad (October 7, 1897 - February 25, 1975) is notable for his leadership of the Black Muslims and the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975. ... Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, also known as Detroit Red and Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Omaha, Nebraska, May 19, 1925 â€“ February 21, 1965 in New York City) was a Muslim Minister and National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam. ... The Council for an American Islamic Republic(CAIR) is an Islamic advocacy group in North America, funded by American Muslims and also in significant part by sources with connections to Arab Middle Eastern governments. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ...

Traditional African religion

Increasing numbers of African Americans are returning to the traditional religious practices of their West African ancestors. These religions, which include Voodoo, Santeria, and other traditional religious practices, often involve blending of elements of Catholicism with the traditional practices of various West African ethnic groups but can be simply the traditions in their purest forms. These religious groups often encounter conflicts with neighbors because of noise from ritual drumming and concerns over animal sacrifice. In the United States, however, the first amendment protects their freedom of religion.^[29] African traditional women and male priests, Togo, West Africa, 2006. ... Voodoo (Vodou, Vodoun, Vudu, or Vudun in Benin, Togo, southeastern Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Senegal; also Vodou in Haiti) is a name attributed to a traditionally uten West African spiritual system of faith and ritual practices. ... Lukumí or Regla de Ocha, most widely known as Santeria, is a set of related religious systems that fuse Catholic beliefs with traditional Yorùbá beliefs. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury Â· Catholic Pope Coptic Pope Â· Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box: As a Christian ecclesiastical... A sheep is led to the altar, 6th century BC Corinthian fresco. ... The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ...

Family

When chattel slavery was practiced in America, it was not uncommon for families to be separated through sale. In the post-slavery years, however, the African American family became the backbone of the community. As late as 1960, 78% of African American families were headed by married couples. This number steadily declined over the latter half of the 20th century. A number of factors including attitudes towards education, gender roles, and poverty have created a situation where, for the first time since slavery, a majority of African American children live in a household with only one parent. This one parent is typically the mother.^[30] While these figures appear to indicate a weak African American nuclear family structure especially within a large patriarchal society, they must be considered in conjunction with the important role played by the extended family in African American culture. Mutual aid systems amongst extended family members provide amongst other things, child care, emotional and economic support. Older family members pass on cultural traditions such as religion and manners to younger family members. In turn, the older family members are cared for by younger family members when they are unable to care for themselves. These relationships exist at all economic levels in the African American community, providing strength and support both to the African American family and the community.^[31] Slave redirects here. ... a family of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 1997 Family is a Western term used to denote a domestic group of people, or a number of domestic groups linked through descent (demonstrated or stipulated) from a common ancestor, marriage or adoption. ... A bagpiper in Scottish military clan-uniform. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... The term nuclear family developed in the western world to distinguish the family group consisting of parents (usually a father and mother) and their children, from what is known as an extended family. ... Look up patriarchy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Extended family (or joint family) is a term with several distinct meanings. ... // In sociology, manners are the unenforced standards of conduct which show the actor to be cultured, polite, and refined. ...

Soul food

The cultivation and use of many agricultural products in the U.S., such as yams, peanuts, rice, okra, sorghum, grits, watermelon, indigo dyes, and cotton, can be traced to African influences. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 531 pixelsFull resolution (2048 Ã— 1360 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 531 pixelsFull resolution (2048 Ã— 1360 pixel, file size: 1. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... KFCs Fried chicken with french fries. ... Binomial name Ipomoea batatas Linnaeus, This article is about the plant. ... Collards, also called collard greens or borekale (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), are various loose-leafed cultivars of the cabbage plant. ... Cornbread or Johnny cake is a generic name for any number of quick breads (a bread leavened chemically, rather than by yeast) containing cornmeal. ... Macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Yams at Brixton market For the term yam as used in the United States, see sweet potato. ... Binomial name L. This article is about the legume. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (L.) Moench Okra (American English: , British English ), also known as ladys finger, bhindi and gumbo, is a flowering plant valued for its edible green fruits. ... Species About 30 species, see text Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are utilised as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. ... This article is about the corn-based Southern U.S. food. ... For the political designation, see Eco-socialism. ... Indigo dye indigo molecule Indigo dye is an important dyestuff with a distinctive blue color (see indigo). ... For other uses, see Cotton (disambiguation). ...

African American foods reflect creative responses to racial and economic oppression and poverty. Under slavery, African Americans were not allowed to eat better cuts of meat, and after Emancipation many often were too poor to afford them. Soul food, a hearty cuisine commonly associated with African Americans in the South (but also common among blacks nationwide), makes creative use of inexpensive products procured through farming and subsistence hunting and fishing. Pig intestines are boiled and sometimes battered and fried to make “chitterlings,” or "chitlins." Ham hocks and neck bones provide seasoning to soups; beans and boiled greens (turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens). Other common foods, such as fried chicken and fish, Macaroni and cheese, cornbread and hoppin john (black-eyed peas and rice) are prepared simply. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The U.S. Southern states or The South, known during the American Civil War era as Dixie, is a distinctive region of the United States with its own unique historical perspective, customs, musical styles, and cuisine. ... Chitlins in broth. ... Ham hocks are essential ingredients in soul food and other forms of Southern country cooking. ... For other uses, see Bean (disambiguation). ... Leaf vegetables, also called greens or leafy greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots. ... Binomial name Brassica rapa L. Subsp. ... Collards, also called collard greens or borekale (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), are various loose-leafed cultivars of the cabbage plant. ... Species See text For the Multi Unit Space Transport And Recovery Device, see the MUSTARD article. ... KFCs Fried chicken with french fries. ... Fried fish refers to any fish that has been prepared by deep frying or pan frying. ... Macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping. ... Cornbread or Johnny cake is a generic name for any number of quick breads (a bread leavened chemically, rather than by yeast) containing cornmeal. ... Hoppin John is a traditional dish in the cuisine of the Southern United States consisting of crowder peas (black-eyed peas) and rice, often seasoned with a combination of; ham hock or fatback, onions, green peppers, vinegar and spices. ... Trinomial name Vigna unguiculata unguiculata The black-eyed pea, also called black-eyed bean, blackeye, lobiya, rongi, feijÃ£o-frade, Alasandee (Kannada name) or chawli/chawle, is a subspecies of the cowpea, grown for its medium-sized edible bean, which mutates easily giving rise to a number of varieties, the...

When the African American population was considerably more rural than it generally is today, rabbit, possum, squirrel, and waterfowl were important additions to the diet. Many of these food traditions are especially predominant in many parts of the rural South.^[32] In many places, Soul Food is being replaced with healthier alternatives because of the increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes from consuming foods high in fat and starch. These efforts are being met with some resistance as they involve deviating from centuries of culinary tradition.^[33] Genera Pentalagus Bunolagus Nesolagus Romerolagus Brachylagus Sylvilagus Oryctolagus Poelagus Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. ... For other uses, see Possum (disambiguation). ... This article is about the animal. ... Falcated Duck at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands centre, Gloucestershire, England Wildfowl or waterfowl, also waterbirds, is the collective term for the approximately 147 species of swans, geese and ducks, classified in the order Anseriformes, family Anatidae. ... Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart and as of 2007 it is the leading cause of death in the United States. ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ...

Politics and social issues

Since the passing of the Voting Rights Act, African Americans are voting and being elected to public office in increasing numbers. As of January 2001 there were 9,101 Black elected officials in America.^[34] African Americans are overwhelmingly Democratic. Only 11% of African Americans voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential Election.^[35] Social issues such as racial profiling,^[36] the racial disparity in sentencing,^[37] higher rates of poverty,^[38] institutional racism,^[39] and lower access to health care^[40] hold importance in the African American community. While the divide on racial and fiscal issues has remained consistently wide for decades, seemingly indicating a wide social divide, African Americans tend to hold the same optimism and concern for America as Whites. In the case of many moral issues such as homosexuality, religion, and family values, African Americans tend to be more conservative than Whites.^[41] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. Â§ 1973-1973aa-6)[1] outlawed the requirement that would-be voters in the United States take literacy tests to qualify to register to vote, and it provided for federal registration of voters in areas that had less than 50... Voting is a method of decision making wherein a group such as a meeting or an electorate attempts to gauge its opinionâ€”usually as a final step following discussions or debates. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas Politics Portal Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... The 2004 Presidential election may refer to: The Afghan presidential election The Algerian presidential election The Austrian presidential election The Dominican presidential election The Georgia presidential election The Icelandic presidential election The Irish presidential election The Macedonian presidential election The Panamanian presidential election The Philippine presidential election The Republic of... Racial profiling, also known as ethnic profiling, is the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime (see Offender Profiling). ... In law, a sentence forms the final act of a judge-ruled process, and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... Institutional racism (or structural racism or systemic racism) is a theoretical form of racism that is supposed to occur in institutions such as public bodies and corporations, including universities. ... A physician visiting the sick in a hospital. ... Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ... This article is about family values as a political concept. ... Conservative may refer to: Conservatism, political philosophy A member of a Conservative Party Conservative extension, premise of deductive logic Conservativity theorem, mathematical proof of conservative extension Conservative Judaism britney spears Category: ...

Traditional dress

The cultural explosion of the 1960s saw the incorporation of surviving cultural dress with elements from modern fashion and West African traditional clothing to create a uniquely African American traditional style. // The Black Arts Movement is commonly known as the artistic branch of the Black Power movement. ...

Kente cloth

Kente cloth is the best known African textile. These festive woven patterns, which exist in numerous varieties, were originally made by the Ashanti and Ewe peoples of Ghana and Togo. Historically, kente was a fabric worn by royalty but has evolved into more widespread usage. Kente is traditionally a fabric worn for important ceremonial occasions. In the same way as a tuxedo in Western culture, the wearing of kente brings honor and prestige to an event. Kente fabric also appears in a number of Western style fashions ranging from casual t-shirts to formal bow ties and cummerbunds. Kente strips are often sewn into liturgical and academic robes or worn as stoles.^[42] A man weaves kente cloth using a traditional loom in Bonwire village, Ashanti region, Ghana. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 Ã— 750 pixel, file size: 105 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 Ã— 750 pixel, file size: 105 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... A man weaves kente cloth using a traditional loom in Bonwire village, Ashanti region, Ghana. ... A man weaves kente cloth using a traditional loom in Bonwire village, Ashanti region, Ghana. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ashanti (disambiguation). ... The Ewe people are a people of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin. ... Royalty may refer to either: the royal family of a country with a monarchy royalties the payment made to the owner of a copyright, patent, or trademark, for the use thereof This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same... Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Ronald Reagan wearing black tie with wives in Quebec, Canada, March 18, 1985. ... For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... One option to tie a bowtie The bowtie is a mens fashion accessory, popularly worn with other formal attire, such as suits. ... Orange cummerbund A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with black tie. ... Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists, Lutheran and Anglican Churches. ... Academic dress or academical dress (also known in the United States as academic regalia) is traditional clothing worn specifically in academic settings. ... The stole (a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations) is an embroidered band of cloth, formerly usually of silk, about two and one-half to three metres long and seven to ten centimetres wide, whose ends are usually broadened out. ...

Traditional African clothing

Since the Black Arts Movement, traditional African clothing has been popular amongst African Americans for both formal and informal occasions. African style clothing appears in a number of varieties commonly using the Kente pattern. Men typically wear kente in a style similar to a toga or a dashiki. While women wear it in a style similar to a wrap dress or skirt. Women also use kente fabrics as a head tie.^[42] // The Black Arts Movement is commonly known as the artistic branch of the Black Power movement. ... Roman clad in toga The toga was a distinctive garment of Ancient Rome. ... The Dashiki is a colorful mens garment widely worn in West Africa. ... The wrapper is a colorful womens garment widely worn in West Africa. ... A head tie is an African womenâ€™s head scarf, specifically an elaborate ornamental head covering designed to match a wrapper ensemble. ...

Holidays and observances

As with other American racial and ethnic groups, African Americans observe ethnic holidays alongside traditional American holidays. The celebration of these African American ethnic holidays are not necessarily limited to just African Americans. For example Martin Luther King Day is observed nationally as one of only three federal holidays named for individuals.^[43]

Black History Month

In 1926 African American scholar Carter Godwin Woodson organized the first Negro History Week, to focus attention on previously neglected aspects of the black experience in the United States. Woodson chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, as well as the anniversary of the founding of the NAACP. Renamed Black History Week in 1972, the observance was extended to become Black History Month in 1976. During February, lectures, exhibitions, banquets, cultural events, and television and radio programming celebrate the achievements of African Americans. Since 1978, the U.S. Postal Service has participated in Black History Month by issuing commemorative stamps honoring notable African Americans.^[44] Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in African American history. ... Carter G. Woodson was a historian, author, journalist, professor and the founder of Black History Month. ... Frederick Douglass, ca. ... For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is one of the oldest and most influential hate organizations in the United States. ... Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in African American history. ... A USPS Truck at Night A U.S. Post Office sign The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is generally referred to as the post office. ...

Martin Luther King Day

Within days of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Conyers of Detroit introduced a bill calling for a national holiday honoring Dr. King. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, various states enacted such a holiday, but Congress did not. Finally, in 1983, the U.S. Congress established a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday is observed annually on the third Monday in January, a day that falls on or near King’s birthday of January 15. Like Black History Month, Martin Luther King Day emphasizes community service as well as educational and cultural observances, such as lectures and exhibits about King’s life and philosophy.^[45] Martin Luther King Jr. ... â€œMartin Luther Kingâ€ redirects here. ... John Conyers, Jr. ... Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815 County Wayne County Mayor... is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Martin Luther King Jr. ...

Kwanzaa

African American scholar and activist "Maulana" Ron Karenga invented the festival of Kwanzaa in 1966, as an alternative to the increasing commercialization of Christmas. Derived from the harvest rituals of Africans, Kwanzaa is observed each year from December 26 through January 1. Participants in Kwanzaa celebrations affirm their African heritage and the importance of family and community by drinking from a unity cup; lighting red, black, and green candles; exchanging heritage symbols, such as African art; and recounting the lives of people who struggled for African and African American freedom. Each day of the celebration reflects on one of the Nguzo Saba (Swahili: seven principles): umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith).^[46] Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1020x800, 936 KB) Summary Tech. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1020x800, 936 KB) Summary Tech. ... Western Africa (UN subregion) Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... A woman lights kinara candles on a table decorated with the symbols of Kwanzaa. ... Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. ... Ron Karenga (born July 14, 1941), also known as Ron Everett, is an African American author and Marxist political activist. ... Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Kwanzaa#Principles of Kwanzaa. ... Swahili (also called Kiswahili; see Kiswahili for a discussion of the nomenclature) is an agglutinative Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa. ...

Emancipation Day

On January 1, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all slave held in locations in conflict with the United States were free. When union soldiers took control of an area, they would, amongst other things, read this proclamation and enforce it. Because of this various states, territories, and municipalities celebrate emancipation on the day when the law was enforced in their region. Texas (June 19), Puerto Rico (March 22) and Washington, DC (April 16) have established official local holidays to celebrate emancipation.^[47] Emancipation Day is celebrated in various locations in observation generally of the emancipation of slaves. ... Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas on 19 June 1900 Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday in fourteen states of the United States. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Emancipation Proclamation Reproduction of the Emancipation Proclamation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. ... In this map: Union states prohibiting slavery Union territories Border states on the Union side which allowed slavery Kansas, which entered and fought with the Union as a free state after the Bleeding Kansas crisis The Confederacy Confederate claimed and sometimes held territories During the American Civil War, the Union... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallasâ€“Fort Worth Metroplex Area Ranked 2nd - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 kmÂ²) - Width 773 miles (1,244 km) - Length 790 miles (1,270 km) - % water 2. ... is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Malcolm X Day

Another important African American holiday is Malcolm X Day, which is celebrated on May 19, to commemorate the achievements of Malcolm X, a prominent Black nationalist during the days of the Civil Rights Movement. While not typically an official observance, Malcolm X Day is celebrated in most American cities with a significant African American population, including Washington, D.C.^[48] Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, also known as Detroit Red and Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Omaha, Nebraska, May 19, 1925 â€“ February 21, 1965 in New York City) was a Muslim Minister and National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam. ... is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ...

Contents

History of African American culture

Harlem Renaissance

Black cultural movement 1960s and 1970s

Art, music and literature

Music

African American national anthem

Dance

Art

Literature

Language

Names

Religion

Christianity

Islam

Traditional African religion

Family

Soul food

Politics and social issues

Traditional dress

Kente cloth

Traditional African clothing

Holidays and observances

Black History Month

Martin Luther King Day

Kwanzaa

Emancipation Day

Malcolm X Day

See also

References

External links

Contents

History of African American culture GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Harlem Renaissance

Black cultural movement 1960s and 1970s

Art, music and literature

Music

African American national anthem

Dance

Art

Literature

Language

Names

Religion

Christianity

Islam

Traditional African religion

Family

Soul food

Politics and social issues

Traditional dress

Kente cloth

Traditional African clothing

Holidays and observances

Black History Month

Martin Luther King Day

Kwanzaa

Emancipation Day

Malcolm X Day

See also

References

External links

History of African American culture