Harlem Renaissance Overview

A collection of vocabulary flashcards reflecting key terms and concepts related to the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement among African Americans from the end of World War I to the onset of the Great Depression, marked by an explosion of artistic expression.

Legendary period

The time when African American artists claimed attention, between 1918 and 1930.

Alain Locke

A prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance known for his anthology 'The New Negro,' which helped define a new identity for black Americans.

The New Negro

An anthology published by Alain Locke in 1925 that heralded a new identity for African Americans.

Spiritual Emancipation

The declaration by black Americans of claiming their identity and freedom from past psychological chains.

Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities during the twentieth century.

Harlem as a Mecca

Harlem was seen as the cultural capital of black Americans, attracting many artists and intellectuals.

Cultural Capital of the Black World

A title for Harlem due to its significant role in African American political and cultural life.

Urban figure

The distinguishing characteristic of the New Negro, contrasting with the Old Negro who was often rural.

Community of Black Writers

The collaborative environment in Harlem during the 1920s where writers supported each other creatively.

The Crisis

A magazine published by the NAACP, which highlighted issues related to African Americans and published literary works.

Negro spirituals

Religious songs created by African Americans, reflecting their suffering and hope.

Jazz Age

A term describing the 1920s, when jazz music became widely popular among American society.

Gospel music

A new form of religious music that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance, incorporating elements of spirituals and blues.

Claude McKay

A poet whose work, including 'If We Must Die,' expressed a New Negro voice during the Renaissance.

Pan Africanism

A movement advocating for the unity of African people globally, significant to figures like Claude McKay.

Marcus Garvey

The founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, who promoted racial pride and self-help.

Zora Neale Hurston

A key literary figure of the Harlem Renaissance known for her anthropological work and novels that explored African American culture.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Zora Neale Hurston's acclaimed novel that encapsulates the themes of the Harlem Renaissance.

Folklore

Traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, significant in the works of Hurston.

Jessie Fauset

A novelist and literary editor of 'The Crisis,' who made significant contributions to African American literature.

James Weldon Johnson

A key figure of the Harlem Renaissance known for his poetry and advocacy for African American rights.

Cultural Heritage

The legacy and traditions passed down through generations, a central theme explored by writers of the Harlem Renaissance.

Blues

A genre of music characterized by its melancholy themes and rhythms, influential in the Harlem Renaissance.

Blackness

A concept encompassing racial identity and cultural significance, explored by writers during the Renaissance.

Dilemma of Identity

The struggle of African Americans to reconcile their American and Negro identities, as articulated by W. E. B. Du Bois.

Innovations in Literature

New forms and styles adopted by black writers, diverging from traditional European literary forms.

Eugene O'Neill

A white playwright who explored black themes in his work during the Harlem Renaissance.

Cultural Adaptation

The process by which black authors preserved cultural values while adapting to new urban realities.

Racial Pride

An assertion of confidence and dignity in one's race, a significant theme during the Harlem Renaissance.

'Red Summer' of 1919

A period marked by racial violence in the United States, which led to the emergence of activist literature.

African motifs

Design elements derived from traditional African art, used by artists during the Harlem Renaissance.

Legacy of Slavery

The historical influence of slavery on African Americans, a central theme addressed by writers of the era.

Twoness

Du Bois's term describing the dual identity of being both an American and a Negro.

Jazz poetry

A literary form that incorporates the rhythms and improvisational aspects of jazz music.

National Urban League

An organization that played a role in advancing civil rights and economic opportunities for African Americans.

Cultural Authenticity

The concept of maintaining the true essence of a culture within artistic expression.

Folk Tales

Traditional narratives that embody cultural beliefs and morals, significant in the works of Hughes and Hurston.

Protest Literature

Literary works that express dissent against social injustices, notably focused on race during the Harlem Renaissance.

Women of the Harlem Renaissance

Female writers and artists who contributed significantly to the movement despite gender-based challenges.

Influence of European Art

The impact of African artistic traditions on modern European artists' works during the Renaissance.

Creative Expressions

Forms of art, literature, and music that convey cultural values and narratives.

Jazz Band

A musical ensemble featuring jazz musicians, often accompanying poet readings during the Harlem Renaissance.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

A famous Negro spiritual reflecting themes of suffering and hope.

The Messenger

An influential publication that supported African American writers and civil rights advocates.

The Role of Music

An essential aspect of the Harlem Renaissance that brought communities together and provided a platform for cultural expression.

Intellectual Movement

The Harlem Renaissance as a time not just of artistic upheaval but also of critical thought and activism among African Americans.

Community Building

The process by which African American artists and writers formed networks of mutual support during the Renaissance.

Artistic Freedom

The autonomy for artists to explore and express their identities and issues relevant to the African American experience.

Bright Future

The optimistic vision many black artists held for the future of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance.

Self-Identification

The process of identifying and asserting one's identity as a central theme during the Renaissance.

Influence of Blues Music

The cross-pollination of blues rhythms and themes in various forms of art and literature.

Cultural Rebirth

The renaissance of artistic expression and cultural pride among African Americans in the 1920s.

Artistic Innovation

The introduction of new styles and forms by black artists, redefining their output and cultural expression.

Stereotypes in Literature

The portrayal and challenge of racial stereotypes by black writers during the Harlem Renaissance.

Celebration of Black Life

The emphasis on portraying the richness and complexity of black experiences in art and literature.

Collective Memory

Shared experiences and cultural narratives passed through generations within the African American community.

Racial Oppression

The systemic discrimination faced by African Americans, often addressed in the literature of the Harlem Renaissance.

Legacy of the Harlem Renaissance

The enduring impact of this cultural movement on future generations of African American artists and writers.

Cultural Identity

Understanding and embracing one's cultural background, crucial to the themes seen during the Harlem Renaissance.

Anthropology

The study of cultural differences, which deeply influenced Hurston's understanding of African American culture.

Civil Rights

The ongoing struggle for legal and social equality for African Americans, stemming from issues highlighted during the Harlem Renaissance.

Literary Progression

The shift in literary focus during the Harlem Renaissance from protest to a diverse representation of black life.

Symbol of Struggle

Harlem as a representation of the challenges and triumphs faced by African Americans in their quest for equality.

African American Urban Culture

The unique expressions of African American life in the northern cities that emerged during and after the Great Migration.

Aesthetic Movement

The Harlem Renaissance as an artistic movement that combined beauty and political activism.

Historical Context

The backdrop of racial tension and migration that defined the conditions for the Harlem Renaissance.

Art and Activism

The intertwined nature of creative expression and social change during the Harlem Renaissance.