HistoryThe Black Arts Movement is considered the single most controversial moment in African American literature or literature as a whole. It was created in Harlem by artist Amiri Baraka formally Leroi Jones who was strongly affected by the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965. It emerged in the 1960s and 1970s and has close ties the civil rights movement but is a direct branch of the Black Power movement. The artists who contributed to the Black Arts Movement attempted to explore the African American culture and historical movements. Some artists involved were Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks and Nikki Giovanni.
AnalysisGil Scott Heron’s purpose of writing this poem was to inform Blacks that a revolution will happen but it will not be televised so there is a need to get out and be active. Heron believes that whatever the revolution is, whether political or overthrowing of rules and laws, will not stop because of the daily distractions such as TV, and all other media. These are the things that are taking away from everyday life and are restricting people from getting out making a difference in the community. This poem is also a message that the media is biased and the information given cannot be accurately expressed through television and other sources of media. Heron was able to capture the meaning of the Black Arts Movement when he uses the poem to inform people about a revolution, made it collective and done for all people and functional for the use of anyone willing to accept it.
Literary DevicesImagery- Heron uses Imagery when he describes the popular figures and their actions at the time of this poetry movement such as Nixon blowing a bugle, Willie May pushing a shopping cart, Roy Wilkens with a red, green and black jumpsuit and hairy armed woman liberationist.
Allusion- The author uses allusions by drawing the attention of his audience and bringing in popular figures to help keep us interested. When he mentions the, at the time, popular shows, he brings the attention in and keeping all aspects relevant. The purpose of this allusion was to help the audience to understand that TV and media are distractions from powering the black community. |
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
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