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THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
BY: MUNA MOHAMOUD
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: WHAT WAS IT?
The Harlem Renaissance was a period from the end of WWI until the beginning of the
1930s when African American culture flourished through the work of writers,
artists, musicians, and intellectuals. The Great Migration of hundreds of blacks to the North looking for job opportunities
“contributed greatly to this movement of black culture.” Starting in sections of New
York City, the “New Negro Movement” initiated a change in literature forever
(IHAS).
Some of the leading writers include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee
Cullen. The most prominent leader during the Harlem Renaissance was W.E.B. Du Bois. His work with the N.A.A.C.P helped bring voices to the many African Americans about their rights and liberties. Many novels, poetry,
paintings, songs, essays, and sculptures by African Americans “displayed their African
culture and their desire for equality in America.” Some common themes consisted
of alienation, marginality, the use of folk material, and the use of blues tradition
(Congress).
These works also “probed the black American heritage with a
psychological intensity and fierce pride.” As the Great Depression
began to hit hard on America, the Harlem Renaissance began to fade, and as the US entered the Second
World War, African Americans continued to face discrimination and
segregation (PAL).
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
“Aside from being the center for artistic and religious movements,” the Harlem Renaissance had many political implications to it as well. Famous debates and well-known political leaders came out of this
time period. Some celebrated leaders included Marcus Garvey and
W.E.B. Du Bois.
Marcus Garvey, founder of the “Universal Negro Improvement
Association,” was well-known for his ideas on black rights and Pan-
African sentiments (Harlem). He believed Africa should become a harbor from slavery and “that the
Black race had been the victims of a Black Diaspora.” His thoughts and
ideas became known as Garveyism.
Another influential leader was W.E.B. Du Bois. He was a renowned black
politician. He was the founder of the N.A.A.C.P, or the National Association
for the Advancement for Colored People. His work with black rights and liberties gave him an edge during the
Harlem Renaissance (Jackson). His philosophy was that “blacks must be
integrated in society and not segregated.” He has written many
books devoted to the African American cause.
Despite the fact that slavery has come to an end due to the
Emancipation Proclamation, many political debates and social
conditions during the Harlem Renaissance suggested that the struggle for freedom is far from
over. Themes such as Pan-Africanism, Communism, and
Separation vs. Integration have started to show during the Harlem
Renaissance (W.E.B.).
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: SOCIETY AND ITS PEOPLE
The Emancipation Proclamation, declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, came only sixty years before the Harlem Renaissance. The
history of slavery was “not far from the minds of the people in the country.” The
spread of new culture facilitated a growth of African American tradition in society. The
“Southern Diaspora” was a major event that reflected the Harlem Renaissance. This was a
massive “displacement and migration of southern Blacks from the south to the
industrialized north” in search of new jobs and opportunities and social acceptance
(Harlem).
Despite the want for racial equality, blacks were still discriminated against. This led to distinctive African American communities and neighborhoods in the north. Some cities like Harlem, Chicago,
Flint, and New York had large populations of blacks (Brief). The new populous black public developed large
social networks, publications, and organizations; “this development
allowed for the continued spread of cultural and political ideas in Harlem.”
Although racism was still seen in the north, blacks “never felt more free
than they did in Harlem.” They were hired to the same factory and
industrial jobs that whites were. They also received higher wages
and better conditions than they did in the south. The standard of living had definitely improved for blacks
in the north (IHAS).
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: THE RELIGIOUS ELEMENT
The Harlem Renaissance encouraged new creativity thinking and religious ideals in Christianity for African Americans. New mega-churches, new cults, and religious
nationalists came about as an effect of the new African voice. As a result, the neo-
orthodox approach rather than traditional Christianity started to become rather
popular. Sermons became very emotional and people started becoming involved in
more religious/spiritual activities. (Harlem)
The social gospel movement spread to African Americans societies during the Harlem Renaissance. The black church became a very important institution in
their lives. It became a place for them to speak about their struggles of equality and to hear well-known orators speak
about their cause. (Renaissance) A new spirit established by an “optimistic faith
encouraged African Americans to celebrate their unique culture”
(Educational).
People like Thomas A. Dorsey created new religious hymns and music. This type of song became known as Gospel Music. Dorsey’s religious tunes became so
popular, “many cited him as the Father of Gospel.” Many original plays and theater musicals also displayed African American
religious themes. Though most blacks were segregated in theaters, African
American actors and actresses represented their heritage and culture
through the art of theater (Brief).
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: AN ARTISTIC VIEW
The Harlem Renaissance was defined as a period of creative literature due to
“an unprecedented outburst of creative activity among black writers.” The wide amount of new literary works displayed
African American heritage and their unique culture (Jackson). A mass of
new young black writers, performers, artists, and singers migrated to the
northern American cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Some of these people include Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale
Hurston, Claude Mckay (Harlem). Many of the themes in their works included
“alienation and marginality.” Poems such as “I Dream a World” by Langston Hughes
showcased the want of equality in America for blacks. African American music like jazz and blues gospel also
came about during the Harlem Renaissance.
The deep soul found in their music attracted both black and white audiences. Performers
like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington created a new evolution of music in America that “invoked the deepest
emotions sometimes without saying a word.” African American music could be heard in the new places like the 1920 nightclubs, the Apollo Theater and the
Cotton Club. These latest places for leisure helped extend the widespread
phenomenon of black entertainment (The Harlem).
HARLEM RENAISSANCE PAINTINGS
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE: THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
THE END
By: Muna Mohamoud
Honors American Literature1st Period