Harlem Renaissance

Overview

• A cultural movement centered on African American culture, primarily during the 1920s.
• Harlem, New York City, served as the symbolic capital.
• Known for significant contributions to literature, music, art, and dance.
• Rejection of derogatory stereotypes and embracing of African heritage.

Key Figures

• Alain Locke: A leader and philosopher of the movement.
• W.E.B. Du Bois: Sociologist and co-founder of the NAACP.
• Marcus Garvey: Black nationalist leader.
• Langston Hughes: Poet, known as the poet laureate of Harlem.
• Zora Neale Hurston: Celebrated Black culture of the rural South.
• Aaron Douglas: Painter, father of African American art.

Timeline

• 1918-1937: Duration of the Harlem Renaissance.
• Peak in the 1920s, with a decline during the Great Depression.

Significance

• A turning point in Black cultural history.
• African American writers and artists gained control over cultural representation.
• Influenced later African American literature and global Black consciousness.

Background

• Part of the larger New Negro movement.
• Influenced the civil rights movement.
• Contributed to cultural pluralism in the US.

Influences

• Great Migration: Movement of African Americans from rural South to urban North.
• Growth in literacy and establishment of civil rights organizations.

Artistic and Cultural Impact

• Music: Blues and jazz became worldwide sensations.
  • Jazz orchestras grew; notable figures included Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
  • Jazz and blues sparked a "Negro Vogue" among white audiences.
• Dance: Forms like the Charleston and tap dance gained popularity.
• Literature: Publications and events showcased Black literary talent.
  • The New Negro (1925): A significant anthology edited by Alain Locke.

Black Heritage and American Culture

• Efforts to define a distinct American culture separate from Europe.
• Prominent thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois promoted the unique contributions of African Americans to American culture.
• Jazz and blues were landmarks of the Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance.

The Question of Negro Art

• Debate over Negro art and its role in self-expression and innovation.
• Shuffle Along (1921): A successful musical by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle.
• Publications focused on African American themes, impacting cultural perceptions.