January 1, 2010
So the faces of my people.
The stars are beautiful,
So the eyes of my people.
Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.”
“My People” by Langston Hughes
Throughout history, black people across the Diaspora have impacted the world through our creative talents. Our literature, drama, music, and visual art have challenged paternalism, racism and heralded freedom movements from the United States to South Africa.
While we have faced hardships, our art has always been a soothing balm for troubled hearts. Negro spirituals helped us to endure slavery. The Harlem Renaissance ushered in a new era of black intellectualism. The Black Arts Movement helped us to defeat Jim Crow and gain Civil Rights. Hip-hop music voiced the struggles of inner city youths.
Our artistic expressions have redefined how the world views us. Artists such as James Van Der Zee, Chinua Achebe, Derek Walcott, Sonia Sanchez, Celia Cruz, Romare Bearden, Bob Marley and Jay-Z have redefined the cultural space by weaving black voices into the global canon.
Soul Portrait will be a platform to share our cultural experiences, celebrate our creativity, and admire our beauty. We will publish WORDS | IMAGES | MUSIC from the souls of black folk.
If you are an artists, writer, musician, or photographer who is passionate about preserving black culture, please submit your work to Soul Portrait. My goal is to showcase creative talent from around the globe.
I would also love to hear your feedback through comments on the posts or via e-mail.
I’m convinced that black art will continue to blossom in this new decade. Our creative efforts will lead to a greater social consciousness, connectedness, and a unified racial identity.
Let’s make something beautiful in 2010. Happy New Year.
Blessings,
F.J. Goodall, Editor
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Dammit I hate when you steal my ideas! But for real, I love this idea and the space you’ve created to explore our creativity. I’ll spread the word.