The Harlem Renaissance refers to an era of written and artistic creativity among African-Americans that occurred after World War I and lasted until the middle of the 1930s Depression.
A major factor leading to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the migration of African-Americans to the northern cities. Between 1919 and 1926, large numbers of black Americans left their rural southern states homes to move to urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
This black urban migration combined with the experimental trends occurring throughout 1920s American society and the rise of a group of radical black intellectuals all contributed to the particular styles and unprecedented success of black artists. What began as a series of literary discussions in lower Manhattan (Greenwich Village) and upper Manhattan (Harlem) was first known as the 'New Negro Movement.' Later termed the Harlem Renaissance, this movement brought unprecedented creative activity in writing, art, and music and redefined expressions of African-Americans and their heritage.
A major factor leading to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the migration of African-Americans to the northern cities. Between 1919 and 1926, large numbers of black Americans left their rural southern states homes to move to urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
This black urban migration combined with the experimental trends occurring throughout 1920s American society and the rise of a group of radical black intellectuals all contributed to the particular styles and unprecedented success of black artists. What began as a series of literary discussions in lower Manhattan (Greenwich Village) and upper Manhattan (Harlem) was first known as the 'New Negro Movement.' Later termed the Harlem Renaissance, this movement brought unprecedented creative activity in writing, art, and music and redefined expressions of African-Americans and their heritage.
This week's blog requires that you explore the major works of several figures of the Harlem Reniassance ans consider their achievements in a historical context:
Identify two key figures of the Harlem Renaissance and use the research links provided by the libary of congress' website at:
For each artist/ musician/ writer whose work you explore, identify:
a) his/her major contributions to the period
b) why his/ her work is celebrated and considered signifigant in American history.
Image: Drawing in two colors, Winold Reiss, 1920.
Then discuss the similarites and differences of each figures' work. In what ways do their written/musical/ artistic expressions reflect the political, economic and cultural aspects of life in Harlem in the 1920's and 30s? Use historical evidence to support your answer.
Additional sources may be found at: http://www.42explore2.com/harlem.htm
Your blog must be at least 200 words. You may incorporate images, links to music, etc. in your post. Be sure to respond to the work of one of your peers.
Due Sunday 4/27.
9 comments:
Ian Murphy
History
Block A
The Harlem Renaissance is notable for its many contributors to its splendor as a time of a creative flourishing by African Americans in Harlem. If we are to understand the Harlem Renaissance, we must understand its contributors and what impact they had on it. Perhaps one of the best-known poets of this period in American history is Langston Hughes. Hughes' poems were mainly inspired by African American culture and history. Some of his poems help us understand the struggles famous African Americans had to endure, such as Booker T. Washington. Another backer for the Harlem Renaissance was blues singer Billie Holiday. Faced with constant racist remarks, Holiday was inspired to sing the blues to an extent that expressed her true emotions towards her torment. It would seem that the only thing that differs between the works of Hughes and Holiday is that one was written while the other was sung; other than that, both of these artists' works show us just how much they want us to know about their pasts. The understanding of the Harlem Renaissance clearly allows us to understand far more than the people who influenced it: the very things that influenced them to start the Renaissance in the first place.
NOTE: I apologize for removing my earlier post, but I forgot to put my name and heading. I just felt it was appropriate.
Dear jubilant juniors,
The Harlem Renaissance spurned change and enhancement of music as well as political and ideological writing. However, the most significant development of the era was clearly that of literature and poetry. Writers such as W.E.B. Dubois, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Zora Hurston, James Johnson and Jean Toomer were all at the height of their careers during the 1920s and 30s, all living in the city exploring their culture. Hughes referred to New York as "a great magnet for the Negro intellectual." Langston Hughes and W.E.B. Dubois are both 20th century writers that approached the problems facing African-Americans in very different ways; although, there goals were the same. W.E.B. Dubois considered by many to be the writer who provided the ground-breaking work that inspired the Renaissance. As editor of The Crisis from 1910-1934, Dubois pushed his belief that it was necessary for leaders within the African-American community to carry the movement toward liberation for all blacks. Dubois thought that this was less likely if African-Americans continued to simply emulate the social customs of whites. His perception was that equality could be accomplished only after pride in race and heritage was taught. Langston Hughes captured the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, a flourishing of African-American literature and art centered in the Harlem section of New York City. The eloquent and inspiring Dubois and Hughes carried far more appeal for young black leaders searching for a dream, not only in New York City. The Harlem Renaissance sought to create and embellish an identity for blacks unique from the broader American culture.
With love,
Kristina Catanese
The Harlem Renaissance was a time of enlightenment for the African American community. The Renaissance was a result of a mass amount of African Americans migrating from the south to the north. The Harlem renaissance produced some of the greatest singers, artists and writers of the African American community. One person that played a great deal in the Harlem Renaissance was writer Langston Hughes. He wrote many plays, poems, fiction, and non-fiction books. One of his most famous works is the book Not Without Laughter. As Ian said Langston Hughes books were mainly inspired by African American culture and history. His work is significant to the American culture because he captures the struggle of African Americans during this period in time. Another African American who made a significant difference during the Harlem Renaissance was Bill “Bo jangles” Robinson. He was a performer. Dancing since he was a young child, it was obvious what he was going to be doing when he got older. He stared in many plays. On of his most famous was Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm in which he acted with Shirley Temple. He played a great role during the Harlem Renaissance because he uplifted the sprits of many African Americans during dark times. He made them laugh when they though there was nothing to laugh about. Both Langston Hughes and Bill Robinson captured the heart ache and the pain felt by African Americans during this time. They we’re especially good at capturing the feelings of their ancestor. Both Hughes and Robinson helped keep the knowledge of African American alive.
The Harlem Renaissance changed the way of life for many African Americans. Many African Americans became artists, musicians, writers, etc.
Ella Fizgerald, a famous Jazz singer mastered the art of "scat," a type of jazz, where the performers sings in a jibberish sort of language. During her time, she produced nineteen records in ten years. It was Ella Fitzgerald who made scat famous in the United States.
Langston Hughes a famous writer and poet is still easily recognized today. His interest in African American culture and history inspired many of his stories and poems. Determined to have his work read, he slipped three of his poems into the bag of Vachel Lindsay, a famous poetry performer. He liked the poems so much, that Hughes earned a scholarship to Lincoln University. There he earned his degree and published much of his writing.
Both Ella Fitzgerald and Langston Hughes contributed a great deal during the Harlem Rensaissance. Each expressed themsleves creatively during a hard time and were able to make it in teh workd by having their voices heard. Fitzgerald had her vocie heard through the symbolism of scat, while Hughes was more straigh foward with the symbolism of actual words in his stories and poems.
Sylvia Shojai
The Harlem Renaissance was a movement for African American poets, writers, artists, and musicians that occurred after WWI until the mid 1930s. During this time African American creativity and heritage were expressed in the arts. The Harlem Renaissance was a “rebirth” and a celebration of culture for African American artists. This marked an era for cultural enlightenment and recognition for the artists who left a great impact. One key figure from the Harlem Renaissance was Zora Neale Hurston. She was a poet that wrote about blacks rising up against prejudice and discrimination. She published many inspirational novels such as Jonah's Gourd Vine (1934), Mules and Men (1935), Their Eyes Watching God (1937), Tell My Horse (1938), Moses, Man of the Mountain (1939), Dust Tracks on a Road (1942), and Seraph on the Suwanee (1948). Some of these novels were successful while there were some that failed as well. However, her work was inspirational to blacks, and encouraged them to persevere while fighting injustice. Eventually her fame died down, but her work nevertheless contributed to the era. Another key figure of the time was Langston Hughes, one of the most famous poets from the Harlem Renaissance era. He first began writing poetry in Lincoln, Illinois, besides working odd jobs for income. His works in all are too many to be listed, but include his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues (1926), and his first novel, Not Without Laughter (1930) which won the Harmon gold medal for literature. Langston Hughes’ poetry and novels were written with a strong sense of pride for his race. His work shows insight about African American culture, and spirit, while promoting equality and condemning racism as well as injustice. He died of prostate cancer on May 22, 1967, in New York. In his honor, his apartment was given landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission, and East 127th Street has been renamed Langston Hughes Place. Both Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes created works of literature that expressed the political and economical ascpects that were present during the 1920s- 1930s. They promoted blacks to feel proud of themselves, acknowledge their fight to overcome discrimination, and celebrate their achievements.
Sylvia Shojai
Short Response
I think Kristina Catsz makes a good point in her concluding sentence. “The Harlem Renaissance sought to create and embellish an identity for blacks unique from the broader American culture.” This is completely true, the Harlem Renaissance was a distinguishing period for African Americans. It brought focus to the newly introduced works of black artists, poets, and musicians, which were rich in culture and unique from the works that had come before it.
What messages did Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and James Weldon Johnson try to send through their pieces?
What messages did Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and James Weldon Johnson try to send through their pieces?
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