Harlem Renaissance Packet

A Closer Look

The Harlem Renaissance: A Cultural Revolution

• The 1920s saw Harlem, NYC, become the artistic hub of black America.

• Harlem's imagery includes:

  • Jazz sessions at venues like the Cotton Club.

  • Speakeasies such as the Clam Bake and the Hot Feet.

• Significant figures include writers Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and painter Aaron Douglas.

• The Harlem Renaissance was characterized by a remarkable flowering of African American talent and cultural legacy.

A Celebration of African American Life

• Known as the Harlem Renaissance, this period marked the first real recognition of African American artists by mainstream culture.

• African American artists celebrated their culture and heritage.

  • Alain Locke stated in 1926, "Negro life is seizing its first chances for group expression and self determination."

• Harlem was viewed as a spiritual center for African Americans, showcasing diverse artistic expressions.

• Artists and writers had diverse styles (e.g., Hughes wrote realistic poems, Cullen wrote elegant sonnets) but shared a common goal of documenting their experiences.

The Center of the World

Life for African Americans Post-WWI

• Post-World War I, African Americans faced disillusionment due to continued racism.

• The Great Migration saw many move from the rural South to Northern cities, including Harlem, which became a cultural meeting point.

• Art produced during this era was unique, as writers began to embrace their racial identity rather than emulate white authors.

An Outpouring of Expression

• From the 1920s to mid-1930s, over fifty volumes of poetry and fiction were published by sixteen African American writers—an impressive output.

• Notable artists included:

  • Bessie Smith (blues singer), Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington (jazz musicians).

  • Aaron Douglas, who integrated African images in visual art.

• Langston Hughes became a pivotal figure, merging jazz rhythms with Harlem themes in his poetry, emphasizing everyday experiences of African Americans.

• Zora Neale Hurston's work, such as "Their Eyes Were Watching God," combined folklore with realism, establishing her as a major literary figure.

A Powerful Legacy

• The enduring impact of the Harlem Renaissance is debated but generally regarded as paving the way for the acceptance of African American art and literature.

• Critics argue that some artists sought too much approval from the white establishment, though Hughes himself acknowledged limited black readership of his work.

• The Renaissance provided a framework for discussing racism in America and inspired subsequent generations of writers, including Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, and James Baldwin.

• Contemporary writers such as Toni Morrison and Alice Walker owe a debt to this period, confirming its lasting significance in American art.

• The Harlem Renaissance remains a testament to how art can empower individuals to express and celebrate their identities.

The Harlem Renaissance: Cultural Movement Overview

Early 1920s Trends

• The Harlem Renaissance was shaped by a significant migration of African Americans to Harlem, fostering cultural diversity among doctors, musicians, and artists.

• The era encompassed the "Back to Africa" movement, vibrant jazz, and the Broadway debut of all-black shows like Shuffle Along.

• Mainstream America began to appreciate African culture, influenced by modernist artists like Pablo Picasso.

Contributions of Harlem Renaissance Artists

• Artists insisted on recognition as integral parts of American culture.

• Key contributors included:

  • Writers like Jean Toomer and Zora Neale Hurston.

  • Visual artists such as Aaron Douglas and William H. Johnson.

  • Documentarians such as photographer James Van Der Zee.

  • Musicians like Louis Armstrong and vocalists Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey.

• Publications like Crisis and Opportunity supported new African American writers, offering contests that fostered creativity and provided networking opportunities.

Themes in African American Literature

• Writers explored various aspects of African American life—including race, class, religion, and gender—resulting in diverse portrayals across dialects and narratives.

• Notably, some writers targeted racism, while others focused on issues within black communities.

• The recognition of black dialects as legitimate forms of expression emerged from this literary exploration.

Challenges Faced

• The Great Depression hindered financial resources for African American artists, but the cultural landscape of Harlem had been irrevocably changed, establishing a foundation for future writers and artists.

• Notable voices such as Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, and Maya Angelou stemmed from the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, affirming that all individuals can share their experiences artistically.

Poem: "I, Too" by Langston Hughes

• "I, too, sing America."

• Poem reflects themes of identity, resilience, and the assertion of rightful place in American society despite racial discrimination.

• Acknowledges segregation by sending the narrator to eat alone but expresses hope and confidence in the future of racial equality.