The Artistic vs. the Entrepreneurial Negro

Alain Locke’s interpretation of the New Negro is centered on the artistic talents of the Negro and how far those talents can and will take them.  Locke explains that a “New” Negro is needed because “for generations in the mind of America, the Negro has been more of a formula than a human being […]” (3).  This means that the Negro was unable to speak for himself or even define himself.  Because of this lack of ability to speak for one’s self, the Negro was merely seen as a social problem (4). In effect, it becomes difficult for society to see the actual problems as well as the roots of the problems that the Negro continually faces because the truth is obscured.  However, this does not mean that the Negro wishes to be perceived as something he is not, rather he wishes to be known for, what Locke says “what he is, faults and all” (11).  He also reiterated the point that “hope rests in revaluation of artistic endowments by black and white as well as cultural contributions” (15).  Through artistic efforts, a new way of thinking for Negros was developed and they began taking more pride in their creativity and contributions to society.

          Contrastingly, Baldwin feels strongly that the New Negro depends on more than art and feels that this is an overly simplified way of thinking (5).  In addition to artistic contributions to society, in order to fully understand the meaning of the New Negro, we must examine how black consumer practices converted acts of desire into a political and intellectual life of distinction and defiance against traditional ways of life (6).  To Baldwin, the Negro has more to prove that artistic ability and must do so in every aspect possible.  One of these aspects that are highlighted by Baldwin is financial independence.  The Negro must break free from constraints of white economic dependence (7).  Generally, like we said in class, the New Negro must undermine white hegemony.

          Aside from the differences in opinion from Locke and Baldwin, both generally agree that the Negro should define himself rather than let himself be defined by others.  Also, Lock and Baldwin feel that both the entrepreneur and the artistic Negro are contributing to a free future and relying upon themselves to accomplish that freedom while breaking free from white domination.