Post on 05-Jan-2016
transcript
The “New Negro”
Charlotte Manzone
The Roaring Twenties
“The 1920's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other”
What led to these tensions between old and new? In what ways was the tension manifested?
Introduction
Throughout the 1920s , the country underwent a period of cultural divisions that stirred Americans. There was a tension between tradition and modernity, which shaped much of the historical time frame of the period. Most African Americans were coming back from Europe after the Great War whilst others had migrated to the Northern Cities during the Great Migration. African Americans did not gain the democracy they fought for in the war. However, they carried a new sense of racial pride and cultural prosperity in their newly capital – Harlem, New York.
Before WWIBlacks were eager to join the war in order to
make the world safe for democracy
Great Migration: migration of Southern blacks to the urban North Need of African Americans in factories using new
mass production Population rise in Chicago, New York and
Philadelphia
After WWIThe postwar reaction brought many blacks into despair Cruelty from the Ku Klux Klan Suffered from the postwar middle class hostility to
laborPersistent unwillingness in admitting black workers in
organized labor
The increasing population of blacks in Northern cities caused conflictBlack population in NY doubledRiots formed Ghettos formed
“Middletown”Written by Robert S. Lynd & Helen Merrell Lynd Sociological case studies on African American
culture in Indiana Observations:
All public places were segregated for children Discrimination for use of certain facilities Newspaper was segregated for the 5% black
population, “In Colored Circles”
W.E.B Du BoisDisappointed of the militancy created towards
blacks in the 1920s The Crisis, official magazine for NAACP founded by
Du Bois and others Increased his commitment for black
nationalism Organized a series of Pan African Conferencescreated an international black movement never made up his mind whether to work for
integration or black separatism Rejected Garvey’s message
Marcus Garvey Founded the Universal Negro Improvement
Association Attracted thousands of followers Did not focus of integration of color
“Back to Africa” - the black man must “work out his salvation in his motherland” (motto) Black Star Line Steamship Company: to transport
blacks back to Africa Organized many businesses for blacksGained support from the Ku Klux Klan and
other white racists
Garvey’s Message
proud to be black & prepared to resist both mistreatment and white ideas
...helped form the “New Negro”
Served to build racial pride Aimed for: poor & unschooled
blacksBelieved God and Christ were
coloredSpeech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC9QhxF_kL4
New NegroThe ghettos in Northern cities produced advantages for blacks Increase in political power
Enabling them to elect representatives to state legislatures & Congress
Exert considerable influence in closely contested elections
Offered economic opportunity, political rights, and freedom
Allowed blacks to act freely Away from the debasements of the South
RECAP: Old Negro Vs. New Negro Old Negro Mistreated Southern blacks No political rights or equality
New Negro Located in Northern cities Promotion of…
Renewed sense of racial pride Cultural self-expression Economic independence Progressive politics
The New Negro is also referred to the Harlem
Renaissance - forging a new cultural identity among African
American people
Harlem Renaissance A modern artistic and literacy movement that celebrated African American life and culture in early 20th Century in Harlem, New York
Harlem was the largest black
community in the world & became the
cultural capital
Introduction to JazzPopular music of the ageOriginated in New Orleans Became popular in New York after the Great
MigrationSpread throughout the country and became a
global phenomenon Jazz was seen as improvisation: expression of
freedom Desire of many people to break from tradition and
throw off conventional restraints Whites musicians & white audiences took it up
Racial tolerance and understanding
Louis Armstrong was the most famous Jazz performer in New York Played in the evolution of Jazz
Clubs became increasingly popular due to the prohibition of alcohol Illegal drinking New form of entertainment
Cotton Club Form of entertainment for whites Performed by blacks Segregated
Savoy Ballroom First racial integration Home of “Happy Feet”; most popular
dance club in Harlem
Apollo Originally for burlesque Switched to black entertainment
Most popular clubs in Harlem
Black newspapers & magazines flourished along with theatrical companies
Du Bois, The Crisis
Langston Hughes, poet “Harlem! I… dropped my bags, took a deep
breath, and felt happy again.” Zora Neale Hurston joined with Hughes to create
literacy magazine and celebrated the lives of ordinary black workers
Most blacks were hopeful even with the continuous white prejudice
Sociologists and psychologists confirmed that environment rather than hereditary was preventing blacks from economic growth Eventual disappearance of white
prejudice
Alain Locke, The New Negro Anthology of fiction, poetry, and essays
on African American art and literature Example of the creative efforts coming
out of the burgeoning New Negro Movement
The Roaring Twenties
“The 1920's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other”
What led to these tensions between old and new? In what ways was the tension manifested?
Conclusion
Although African Americans still faced white prejudice, they were no longer seen as the Southern slaves. The idea of the “New Negro” portrayed through Garvey’s ideals promoted racial pride, economic stability and political rights. Also, the Great Migration allowed a great concentration of black population in Harlem, New York where the Harlem Renaissance took place. This movement allowed black self-expression through the arts. Whilst black literacy and theaters flourished. Jazz played an important role as a source of entertainment and freedom of expression enjoyed by both races. Overall, the 1920s was a time of celebration for African Americans as they roam freely in the streets of New York with a new sense of identity.
YouTube Video
More about the introduction of jazz in the 20s & Harlem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brBB09K35Co