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 Literature
1st Period