Black in Mayberry for United Against Hate Week 2024: The Power of Unity Through History and Art
Focus: "Unity" Through Historical Acts and Artistic Expression
This article highlights both lesser-known stories of unity within the Black community and the powerful impact of Black artists worldwide who have used their art to foster solidarity. These examples, both in the United States and globally, demonstrate how Black communities have unified to confront systemic oppression and create cultural movements that continue to inspire today.
As part of United Against Hate Week, Black in Mayberry shares these powerful, yet often lesser-known, stories of unity within the Black community to highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and equality across the African diaspora. These historical and artistic examples of collective action remind us of the incredible strength that emerges when people come together, despite systemic barriers.
Part 1: Lesser-Known Stories of Unity in the Black Community
Claudette Colvin's Stand (Montgomery, USA, 1955)
Before Rosa Parks’ famous act of civil disobedience, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. On March 2, 1955, she was forcibly removed and arrested for standing against unjust bus segregation laws. Her bravery became one of the catalysts for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Although initially overlooked, Colvin's stand later became instrumental in the legal battle against segregation in the case Browder v. Gayle, which successfully ended bus segregation in Montgomery.
Read more: Claudette Colvin Refuses to Give Up Her Bus Seat.
Homer G. Phillips Hospital (St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 1937)
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Homer G. Phillips Hospital was the premier training ground for African American doctors and nurses during segregation. This hospital provided quality healthcare to the Black community and became a symbol of Black excellence in medicine. The hospital unified African Americans by providing both essential healthcare and professional training during a time of systemic racism and segregation in medical institutions.
Read more: Homer G. Phillips Hospital
Formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (Southern USA, 1960)
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was formed in the wake of sit-ins protesting segregated lunch counters across the southern United States. SNCC played a major role in voter registration drives, the Freedom Rides, and grassroots organizing for civil rights. SNCC unified young activists, providing a platform for collective action and grassroots leadership. Their work laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.
Read more: SNCC: The Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee
The Atlanta Washerwomen Strike (Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1881)
The washerwomen of Atlanta united to demand better wages and working conditions. Their successful strike highlighted the power of unity among Black women workers and set a precedent for labor organizing. This strike was an early example of Black women standing together for economic justice, achieving significant victories against all odds.
Read more: Atlanta's Washerwomen Strike
The Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike (Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 1968)
In the aftermath of two workers' deaths, the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike became a pivotal moment in the labor and civil rights movement. The workers' slogan "I Am a Man" emphasized their dignity and humanity, calling for better working conditions and wages. The strike unified Black laborers and civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated while supporting the strike. It resulted in wage increases and labor reforms.
Read more: "I AM A MAN", Dr. King and the Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike
Section 2: Black Artists Across the World Who Used Art to Call for Unity
Harlem Renaissance (Harlem, New York, USA, 1920s–1930s)
The Harlem Renaissance was a groundbreaking cultural movement that used literature, music, and visual arts to celebrate Black identity and unite African Americans. Artists like Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas, and Zora Neale Hurston were pivotal in fostering pride and solidarity within the Black community. This movement unified African Americans through cultural expression, laying the foundation for future civil rights movements and continuing to inspire generations of Black artists.
Read more: A New African American Identity: The Harlem Renaissance
Bob Marley and Reggae Music (Jamaica, 1960s–1980s)
Bob Marley, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, used reggae music as a tool for unification and social change. His songs, such as "One Love" and "Redemption Song", promoted messages of peace, unity, and resistance against oppression. Marley's music transcended borders, uniting people of African descent and allies globally. His legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and equality.
Hear more: Top Ten Most Politically Significant Songs by Bob Marley
Léopold Sédar Senghor and the Negritude Movement (France and Senegal, 1930s–1950s)
As one of the founders of the Negritude Movement, Léopold Sédar Senghor used poetry and political leadership to celebrate African identity and challenge colonialism. His work promoted Pan-Africanism and cultural pride among African and Caribbean intellectuals. Senghor’s writings helped unify people across the African diaspora, inspiring anti-colonial movements and encouraging solidarity around African heritage.
Read more: Leopold Sedar Senghor's Concept of Negritude
Poetry by Leopold Sedar Senghor
Brazilian Quilombo Art and Culture (1600s–Present, Brazil)
The Quilombos, settlements founded by escaped African slaves in Brazil, used art, music, and culture to preserve African traditions and foster unity among Afro-Brazilians. These communities resisted colonization and slavery for centuries.Quilombo culture, especially through traditions like capoeira, became a unifying force among Afro-Brazilians, symbolizing resistance and cultural survival.
Read more: Quilombo: Brazilian Maroons during Slavery
Festac 77 (Lagos, Nigeria, 1977)
The Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac 77) brought together artists from across the African diaspora to celebrate African culture and unity. It was one of the largest cultural gatherings of Black artists in the 20th century. Festac 77 showcased the power of cultural unity, emphasizing the shared heritage and aspirations of people of African descent worldwide.
Read more: Revisiting FESTAC 77: The Landmark Pan-African Festival
Lubaina Himid and Keith Piper (UK, 1980s–Present)
British artists Lubaina Himid and Keith Piper were prominent figures in the Black Arts Movement in the UK. Their work, which challenged racial stereotypes and addressed Black identity, became a rallying cry for social and political change. Himid and Piper’s art has unified communities in the UK by addressing racial inequalities and promoting Black cultural pride.
Read more: Keith Piper and the Legacy of the BLK Art Movement
Read more: Lubaina Himid: Tate Modern
Caribbean Carnival Traditions (Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean)
Carnival celebrations in countries like Trinidad and Tobago have deep roots in African culture, serving as a celebration of freedom, resistance, and unity among formerly enslaved people. Carnival has become a global celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, unifying people through music, dance, and the visual arts.
Read more: Carnival's Indigenous Origins
Sophiatown Renaissance (Johannesburg, South Africa, 1940s–1950s)
Before its destruction under apartheid, Sophiatown was a cultural hub in Johannesburg where Black artists, musicians, and writers thrived. It became a symbol of cultural resistance to apartheid. Sophiatown’s artistic and cultural scene unified Black South Africans against apartheid, with jazz musicians like Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim emerging from this community.
Read More: The Destruction of Sophiatown: Rare Color Photos 1959
Negro Spirituals and Freedom Songs (USA)
During slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, Negro spirituals and freedom songs served as powerful tools of unity and resistance. Songs like "We Shall Overcome” became anthems of hope and resilience. These songs unified generations of African Americans, providing emotional strength and a shared voice against oppression.
Read More: History of Negro Spirituals
Read More: The Role of Freedom Songs
Hip-Hop (New York USAl, 1970s–Present)
Originating in the Bronx, New York, hip-hop culture quickly spread worldwide as a form of resistance and empowerment for marginalized communities. Through music, dance, and visual arts, hip-hop has unified young people in the fight for social justice. Hip-hop remains a global movement for unity, addressing issues such as police brutality, poverty, and systemic racism.
Conclusion
Whether through labor strikes, cultural movements, or artistic expression, Black communities have consistently used unity as a tool to push forward in the fight against oppression. Art, in particular, has been a profound connector across borders, from the Harlem Renaissance to the Negritude Movement and the rich cultural traditions of Carnival. These stories provide inspiration for current movements, showing how art can serve as both a reflection of the community's pain and a celebration of its resilience.
By sharing these stories during United Against Hate Week, Black in Mayberry reaffirms the idea that unity is key to confronting hate and building a future based on equality, solidarity, and cultural pride. The examples presented illustrate that when Black people come together—whether through collective action or creative expression—they can create significant social change and inspire future generations to continue the fight for justice. These lessons are not just historical—they are ongoing and serve as a blueprint for today’s battles against racism and inequality.
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