"The New Negro" and "The Black Writer and His Role."

Paper Summary:

Compares Alain Locke's and Carolyn F. Gerald's proposals for a pseudo-militant black arts movement. Looks at how both authors view the self-image of the average black person as one that has been forced upon them by the white majority. The paper goes on to discuss how both authors see the need to change and recreate the black self-image, and their differing views on how to approach the task of creating this new image.

From the Paper:

"The main difference between Locke and Gerald is the way in which they approach the new image-making task at hand. For Locke, it is entirely a creative process. He seeks to find whatever meaning in white culture that ought to be (for black culture has, after all, left parts of its meanings floating about in white space, such as musical influences). He additionally seeks to create new meanings that can interact healthily with white culture, to create a new American culture. Gerald is far more nihilistic. Her focus is more on destruction and the (justifiable) wrath of her people. Attempted culture creation in the presence of the white discourse has only led to failure and frustration. The white discourse must be destroyed."

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