February is Black History Month and the 2024 theme is African Americans and the Arts. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH):
“African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.”
At Ohrstrom Library, our shelves are full of books celebrating Black Americans’ contributions to literature, culture, music, dance, and the arts, which you can find not just in February, but all year long. Stop by the library to check out our displays and see below for some reading recommendations.
Fiction & Poetry
The Arts
Leave a Reply