The New Negro by Jeffrey C. Stewart
- 1. ''The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke'' by Jeffrey C. Stewart is a comprehensive and illuminating biography that explores the life and contributions of Alain Locke, a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance and a key proponent of African American cultural identity. Stewart meticulously chronicles Locke's journey, from his early years growing up in a middle-class African American family in Philadelphia to his groundbreaking role as a philosopher, writer, and educator. The book delves into Locke's concept of 'The New Negro,' which challenged prevailing stereotypes of African Americans and advocated for a renewed sense of pride, creativity, and intellectual engagement. Through a blend of detailed historical context and personal anecdotes, Stewart reveals how Locke's influence extended beyond literature and arts, impacting social and political thought during a transformative era in American history. The biography not only highlights Locke's relationships with other luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance, such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, but also situates his ideas within the broader struggle for civil rights and racial equality. Stewart's profound analysis serves as a tribute to Locke's legacy and underscores the importance of cultural expression in the pursuit of justice and dignity for marginalized communities.
Alain Locke is best known as the intellectual father of which cultural movement?
A) Black Arts Movement
B) Harlem Renaissance
C) Negritude
D) Black Power Movement
- 2. What was Alain Locke's professional position at Howard University?
A) Chair of African Studies
B) Dean of Humanities
C) Professor of Philosophy
D) University President
- 3. Locke was the first African American Rhodes Scholar from which university?
A) Yale University
B) University of Pennsylvania
C) Howard University
D) Harvard University
- 4. According to Stewart's biography, Locke helped develop the concept of:
A) Manifest Destiny
B) Cultural pluralism
C) Social Darwinism
D) American exceptionalism
- 5. Locke advocated for African American artists to draw inspiration from:
A) African art and heritage
B) Asian spiritual practices
C) European classical traditions only
D) Latin American magical realism
- 6. What personal aspect of Locke's life does Stewart explore in depth?
A) His religious conversion
B) His financial struggles
C) His military service
D) His homosexuality
- 7. What was Locke's approach to advancing civil rights?
A) Through economic separatism
B) Through cultural achievement
C) Through religious organizing
D) Through political protest
- 8. Besides philosophy, what other academic field did Locke significantly contribute to?
A) Art criticism
B) Quantum physics
C) Molecular biology
D) Medieval literature
- 9. How does Stewart characterize Locke's relationship with his mother?
A) Distant and formal
B) Extremely close
C) Non-existent
D) Openly hostile
- 10. According to Stewart, what was Locke's ultimate legacy?
A) Creating political organizations
B) Transforming African American cultural identity
C) Amassing personal wealth
D) Establishing religious institutions
- 11. What was Alain Locke's sexual orientation as discussed in Stewart's biography?
A) Gay
B) Bisexual
C) Asexual
D) Straight
- 12. Which writer had a significant intellectual rivalry with Locke?
A) James Weldon Johnson
B) Zora Neale Hurston
C) W.E.B. Du Bois
D) Langston Hughes
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