Ai Weiwei proclaimed that “art is a very important weapon to achieve human freedom.” When examining the civil rights movement, there is no doubt that art played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the fight for equality. Throughout the era, countless artists reacted to issues of violent racism, segregation, and black identity in the United States. In honor of Black History Month we’ve compiled a short, chronological list of five artworks—from five different exhibitions (one of which opened recently in the U.S.)—to highlight some of the influential art made during the battle for civil rights. Our list barely skims the surface, so we encourage you to further explore the diverse works and themes presented in the exhibitions mentioned.