Theme Of Rocket To The Moon In 1971 By Romare Bearden

The 1960s was a decade where America saw technological advances, as well as supposed advancements in the rights of African Americans. During the Cold War, the United States of America and Russia had a space race, seeing who could get to the moon first. The Civil Rights Movement, from 1954 to 1968, was a period where people rallied for social justice, and the furtherment of African Americans rights, such as voting. Romare Bearden was an African American artist during this time who depicted his culture through his art, especially in symbols. Such symbols in his artwork, Rocket to the Moon in 1971, convey the theme of no escape. The theme is revealed through the broken clock tower. This symbol represents how time is broken, and rather than advancing

There is a fire in the building ravaging everything in its path. One tries to escape, but low and behold, the fire escape is inside and there is no way out. African Americans are trapped in their position, for they can not possibly change their skin color. Their skin is just as much as a physical prison as is the actual building. The red color of the building symbolizes hatred and violence, and for a fact, African Americans face opposition as soon as they step out of line, or ask for too much. The mouth open in one of the windows of the building, symbolizes a cry of help. A cry of help that is muffled by the dense brick walls, and in real life, ignored and oppressed by society’s unreasonable, ancient justifications. Additionally, bricks are all the same, usually indistinguishable. In the same light, African Americans are seen as one group rather than individuals, which more often than not, turns out to be a negative image. In sum, society has constructed a prison for African Americans and the brick building is a physical

There are two red circles and one green arrow. The green arrow is pointing to the brick building, which symbolizes how African Americans are trapped. Therefore, this is a sign showing their unfortunate and unchangeable position in society. Society will always be there to tell African Americans what they are and where they belong, and remind them of their inferiority. Having the only choice of the red brick building symbolizes how there is limited choice and freedom. Even though an African American may feel worthy and of importance, they are quickly reminded of their disadvantage by almost everything in society. The dirty looks from other people, and the rules that are not written in stone, but seem as if they are clearly everywhere. The message of such rules is that blacks and whites are different, and blacks will never be