Harlem Renaissance Notes

  • The Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York during the 1920s, marked by a flourishing of African American culture.

Beginnings and Historical Factors

  • Ended in the 1930s due to:

    • The Great Depression

    • The Great Migration

    • The end of World War I

  • Key Historical Events:

    • The Great Migration: Large movement of African Americans from southern states to northern cities driven by increased job demand during World War I.

    • Tulsa Massacre: In 1921, the prosperous Black community of Greenwood ("Black Wall Street") in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was razed by a white mob, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

    • Red Summer (1919): Period of severe racial violence across the U.S., which inspired literary responses such as Claude McKay's "If We Must Die".

    • The Civic Club Dinner Party: Interracial event held at The Civic Club honoring Jessie Fauset for her debut novel.

    • "Saturday Nighters": Washington, D.C. literary salon hosted by poet Georgia Douglas Johnson.

Key Literary Concepts, Publications, and Figures

  • Concepts:

    • Anthology: A collection of writings, including poetry, short stories, and essays.

    • "New Negro": A concept representing a modern, positive, and self-assertive African American identity that rejected old stereotypes.

  • Publications:

    • The Book of American Negro Poetry (1922): Published anthology containing works by notable poets including Paul Laurence Dunbar.

    • Quicksand (1928) & Passing (1929): Acclaimed novels authored by Nella Larsen.

    • Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937): Famous novel written by Zora Neale Hurston.

  • Key Figures:

    • Claude McKay: Author of the era's only Black-authored bestseller; wrote "If We Must Die" in response to the Red Summer.

    • Countee Cullen: One of the youngest and most famous Black American poets of 1925.

    • Langston Hughes: Highly influential poet and writer during the Harlem Renaissance.

    • Alain Locke: Philosopher who utilized visual arts alongside literature to address racial inequality.

    • Nella Larsen: Novelist and first Black graduate of the New York Public Library School.

    • Zora Neale Hurston: Celebrated writer and folklorist.

    • Duke Ellington: Iconic jazz bandleader whose orchestra played at the Cotton Club and broadcasted over national radio.

    • Josephine Baker: Famous dancer whose stardom in Paris demonstrated the international spread of Black American culture.

Organizations and Places

  • Organizations:

    • NCBAA: Formalized the term "Negro" in the 1930s.

    • NAACP: Civil rights organization founded in 1909, instrumental in advocating for African American rights and opposing racial discrimination.

    • Harlem Writers Guild: Support network providing resources for African American writers.

    • Urban League: Organization focused on economic advancement, job training, and housing opportunities for African Americans.

  • Key Places:

    • Harlem: New York neighborhood viewed as the cultural "promised land".

    • The Civic Club: A primary location for interracial interactions and formal dinners.

    • The Cotton Club: Famous Harlem venue associated with the Jazz Age.

    • Jungle Alley: Nickname for West 133rd Street in Harlem, famous for its entertainment and music scene.

    • Paris: Major European destination where figures like Josephine Baker popularized Black American culture internationally.