Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance

Flashcards for reviewing key terms and definitions related to Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance.

Langston Hughes

A prominent poet, playwright, and novelist central to the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s.

Shuffle Along

A musical revue that is considered a significant catalyst of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Cotton Club

A famous club in Harlem known for its Jim Crow policies that catered to white patrons.

Bessie Smith

A prominent blues singer of the 1920s known for her powerful voice and emotional delivery.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Ethel Waters

A famous African American singer and actress during the Harlem Renaissance.

Rent parties

Social gatherings in Harlem where attendees paid to enter and enjoyed music and refreshments, often to help with rent payments.

The Big Sea

The autobiography of Langston Hughes where he reflects on his life and the Harlem Renaissance.

Josephine Baker

An American-born French entertainer and activist who became a prominent figure in the cultural landscape of the Jazz Age.

Gladys Bentley

A notable performer during the Harlem Renaissance known for her powerful voice and gender nonconformity.

Lindy hop

A dance style that became popular in the 1920s, characterized by its energetic and acrobatic moves.

African sculpture

Artistic works depicting figures or scenes from African cultures, significant during the Harlem Renaissance.

Literary Harlem

The literary scene and community in Harlem, which became a crucial part of the Renaissance.

Carl Van Vechten

A white writer and photographer whose work captured the Harlem Renaissance era.

New Negro

A term representing the new mindset of African Americans during the Renaissance, advocating for pride and cultural identity.

Speakeasies

Illicit bars operating during Prohibition in the U.S., where people gathered to drink and socialize.

Counterculture

A cultural movement that challenged the established norms of society, influential during the Harlem Renaissance.

Acrobatic routines

Dance performances involving gymnastic movements, which became popular among Lindy hoppers during the era.

Cultural appropriation

The act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission.