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