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Week Four: Black Art and Culture

The Black community has long had an outsized and often unrecognized impact on American art and culture. The goal for Week Four is to introduce you to aspects of Black art and culture you may not be familiar with to evolve your appreciation and understanding.

Week Four: Day 1

WATCH the video for Moses Sumney’s “Cut Me”

REFLECT: How does prejudice and stereotyping lead to less engagement in and recognition of the work of BIPOC artists? Are you less inclined to engage with artists who don't look like you? If so, why?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Read the NPR article on Moses Sumney's start in the LA music scene and beyond HERE.

Week Four: Day 2

WATCH Go Inside Dapper Dan’s Multi-Million Dollar Gucci Atelier in Harlem about cultural icon Dapper Dan who was the first to bring a luxury brand to Harlem, New York.

REFLECT: Can you think of some ways mainstream culture appropriated work from BIPOC artists? How has this affected what’s considered valuable or museum worthy in the art world?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch Dapper Dan's rags to riches story HERE and check out his insta HERE.

Week Four: Day 3

WATCH the Daily Show segment How the Compton Cowboys are Keeping Kids off the Street.

REFLECT: Had you heard of the Compton Cowboys before today? Would seeing a Black man on a horse versus walking down the street change your perception of him? Can you envision other areas of Black culture that might surprise you? Do you think you've viewed BIPOC cultures as monoliths?  

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the fascinating video "Why the First Cowboys Were Black" HERE.

Week Four: Day 4

READ The Ascent of Young Ghanaian Artist Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe about the distinctive work of a young Ghanaian American artist who uses striking colors to illustrate the multifaceted and dignified nature of his culture.

Click HERE to read the article.

REFLECT: Do you think that knowing the race of an artist is important? Why? Are you usually drawn to art and artists from your own race? If so, why?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Check out Quaicoe's instagram HERE and follow Black Art Gang on instagram to be connected with more great black artists and their art HERE.  

Week Four: Day 5

WATCH the music video for Beyoncé's "Formation" followed by the TEDx talk: "What Beyonce Taught Me About Race".

REFLECT: What do you think of Barron's assertion that America is an "expert" in racism, according to Malcolm Gladwell's definition? Are you drawn to Black artists who make you comfortable? Can you imagine what kinds of things some Black artists aren't able to say for fear of rejection?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the trailer for Beyoncé's "Black is King" HERE then watch the full movie on Disney+. 

You've come to the end of Week Four: Black Art and Culture

Please join us for a Week Four Discussion Group on Wednesday, March 31st at 1pm. We also invite you to share your anonymous feedback on this section. The feedback is intentionally anonymous to create a safe space for everyone's opinions, feedback and questions. The goal is for this is to be an open and productive dialogue, not a one-way flow of information. You can share your anonymous feedback HERE. 

If you're looking to dive deeper, here are some suggested resources from fellow Buddhans:

Read "The Color Line" about black artists in the mainstream art world HERE 

Watch the lyric video for Dodgr's "Hot" from the Euphoria soundtrack HERE 

Read the Vanity Fair article HERE & watch the trailer HERE for the experimental film "The Inheritance"

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