The Harlem The Harlem RenaissanceRenaissance

““Harlem was not so much a place Harlem was not so much a place as a state of mind, the cultural as a state of mind, the cultural

metaphor for black America itself.”metaphor for black America itself.”

The Harlem Renaissance, also known as The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New Negro Movement, was an the New Negro Movement, was an important cultural manifestation of the mid-important cultural manifestation of the mid-twenties and thirties.twenties and thirties.

With Harlem as its center, the movement With Harlem as its center, the movement was an upsurge of new racial attitudes and was an upsurge of new racial attitudes and ideals on the part of Afro-Americans and ideals on the part of Afro-Americans and an artistic and political awakening.an artistic and political awakening.

The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance

It was partly inspired by the iconoclastic It was partly inspired by the iconoclastic spirit of the times. spirit of the times.

The Harlem writers and artists were, like The Harlem writers and artists were, like their Modernist white counterparts, in quest their Modernist white counterparts, in quest of new forms, images, and techniques. of new forms, images, and techniques.

They, too, were skeptical and disillusioned. They, too, were skeptical and disillusioned.

What chiefly differentiated them, however, What chiefly differentiated them, however, was their view of artistic endeavor as an was their view of artistic endeavor as an extension of the struggle against extension of the struggle against oppression.oppression.

Historical Roots & Ideologies:Historical Roots & Ideologies:Vast migration of African Vast migration of African Americans to northern industrial Americans to northern industrial centers that began early in the centers that began early in the century and increased rapidly as century and increased rapidly as World War I production needs World War I production needs and labor shortages boosted job and labor shortages boosted job opportunitiesopportunities

Industrial jobs in northern cities, Industrial jobs in northern cities, World War I offered blacks the World War I offered blacks the opportunity to serve in the opportunity to serve in the military, although in segregated military, although in segregated military units.military units.

Race Riots of 1919Race Riots of 1919

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WW1 also brought in its wake a WW1 also brought in its wake a series of devastating race riots series of devastating race riots culminating in the 1919 culminating in the 1919 outbreaks in Washington and outbreaks in Washington and Chicago.Chicago.

Black politics shifted as Marcus Black politics shifted as Marcus Garvey mobilized tens of Garvey mobilized tens of thousands of supporters and thousands of supporters and confronted the newly formed confronted the newly formed NAACP and the African-NAACP and the African-American establishment with a American establishment with a mass political movement mass political movement championing black nationalism championing black nationalism and Pan-Africanism.and Pan-Africanism.

Increased contact between African Increased contact between African Americans and White Americans in the Americans and White Americans in the workplace and on city streets forced a new workplace and on city streets forced a new awareness of the disparity between the awareness of the disparity between the promise of the American dream and promise of the American dream and reality.reality.

African American soldiers who served in African American soldiers who served in WW1 were angered by the prejudice they WW1 were angered by the prejudice they often encountered back at home, often encountered back at home, compared to the acceptance they had compared to the acceptance they had found in Europe.found in Europe.

New Negro, New ThinkingNew Negro, New Thinking

The first of these The first of these schools of thought schools of thought was represented by was represented by W.E.B. DuBois and W.E.B. DuBois and James Weldon James Weldon Johnson. Johnson.

They saw the arts as an area where talented They saw the arts as an area where talented and culturally privileged African Americans and culturally privileged African Americans could lead their race’s fight for equality.could lead their race’s fight for equality.

Art functioned as propaganda: works of art Art functioned as propaganda: works of art inspired by the artists’ racial heritage & inspired by the artists’ racial heritage & experiences would prove the beauty of the experiences would prove the beauty of the race and its contributions to American culture.race and its contributions to American culture.

These artistic successes could foster pride These artistic successes could foster pride among all African-Americans and prove their among all African-Americans and prove their educated class to be the equal of the white educated class to be the equal of the white educated class. educated class.

Themes in Art, Music and Themes in Art, Music and Literature:Literature:

Effort to Recapture the African-American Past:Effort to Recapture the African-American Past:- corresponded with rise of Pan-Africanism- corresponded with rise of Pan-Africanism

- Africanism in Afro-American politics- Africanism in Afro-American politics - Marcus Garvey’s ideology- Marcus Garvey’s ideology - W.E.B. DuBois- W.E.B. DuBois - jazz introduced African-inspired rhythms - jazz introduced African-inspired rhythms and themes in compositionsand themes in compositions

Rural Southern Roots:Rural Southern Roots: - reflected in novels by Jean Toomer and Zora - reflected in novels by Jean Toomer and Zora Neale Hurston’s Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching GodTheir Eyes Were Watching God - Jacob Lawrence’s art: Harriet Tubman series and black- Jacob Lawrence’s art: Harriet Tubman series and black migrationmigration

Themes . . . Themes . . .

African-American Urban Experience and Racism:African-American Urban Experience and Racism: - represented by Langston Hughes and Claude McKay- represented by Langston Hughes and Claude McKay - some writers were accused of over-emphasizing crime, sexuality, - some writers were accused of over-emphasizing crime, sexuality,

and other less savory aspects of ghetto life to feed voyeuristic and other less savory aspects of ghetto life to feed voyeuristic desires of white readers and publishers.desires of white readers and publishers.

Use of Black Music & Folklore as an Inspiration for Use of Black Music & Folklore as an Inspiration for Poetry, Short Stories, and Novels:Poetry, Short Stories, and Novels:

- Langston Hughes used rhythms and styles of jazz- Langston Hughes used rhythms and styles of jazz - black religion as a literary source: James Weldon Johnson’s - black religion as a literary source: James Weldon Johnson’s God’s God’s

TrombonesTrombones - Sterling Brown used blues and southern work songs in- Sterling Brown used blues and southern work songs in his book of poetry his book of poetry Southern RoadSouthern Road

The White Influence on the The White Influence on the Harlem Renaissance:Harlem Renaissance:

The Harlem Renaissance appealed to a mixed The Harlem Renaissance appealed to a mixed audience—the African American middle class audience—the African American middle class and white consumers of the arts.and white consumers of the arts.

Urbane whites suddenly took up New York’s Urbane whites suddenly took up New York’s African-American community, bestowing their African-American community, bestowing their patronage on young artists, opening up patronage on young artists, opening up publishing opportunities, and pumping cash into publishing opportunities, and pumping cash into Harlem’s “exotic” nightlife in a complex Harlem’s “exotic” nightlife in a complex relationship that scholars continue to probe.relationship that scholars continue to probe.

The famous Cotton Club The famous Cotton Club carried this trend to the bizarre carried this trend to the bizarre extreme by providing black extreme by providing black entertainment for exclusively entertainment for exclusively white audiences. white audiences. The relationship of the Harlem The relationship of the Harlem Renaissance to white venues Renaissance to white venues and white audiences created and white audiences created controversy.controversy.While many African-American While many African-American critics strongly supported the critics strongly supported the movement, others, like movement, others, like Benjamin Brawley and even Benjamin Brawley and even W.E.B. DuBois were sharply W.E.B. DuBois were sharply critical and accused critical and accused Renaissance writers and Renaissance writers and artists of reinforcing negative artists of reinforcing negative African-American stereotypes.African-American stereotypes.

The Apollo TheaterThe Apollo Theater

In the 1930s the opening of In the 1930s the opening of the Apollo Theater on 125the Apollo Theater on 125thth Street signaled the Street signaled the expansion of Harlem’s expansion of Harlem’s entertainment district.entertainment district.The Apollo featured the The Apollo featured the finest acts and became the finest acts and became the most prestigious African most prestigious African American performing stage American performing stage in the country.in the country.The response of the The response of the Apollo’s knowledgeable Apollo’s knowledgeable audience could make or audience could make or break a performer’s career.break a performer’s career.

Decline of the Harlem Decline of the Harlem Renaissance:Renaissance:

The Harlem Renaissance declined in the mid 1930s. The Harlem Renaissance declined in the mid 1930s. Factors that contributed to this decline were as follows:Factors that contributed to this decline were as follows:

1.1. Harlem’s emergence as a slum: Harlem’s emergence as a slum: - Within a single decade Harlem transformed from an - Within a single decade Harlem transformed from an

ideal community to a neighborhood with manifold ideal community to a neighborhood with manifold social and economic problems.social and economic problems.

- Housing was overpriced, congested, and dilapidated. - Housing was overpriced, congested, and dilapidated. - Jobs were hard to come by due to competition and - Jobs were hard to come by due to competition and

discrimination.discrimination. - As a result, most of Harlem’s residents lived in poverty, - As a result, most of Harlem’s residents lived in poverty,

a situation that contributed to the growth of crime, vice, a situation that contributed to the growth of crime, vice, juvenile delinquency and drug addiction. juvenile delinquency and drug addiction.

2. 2. The Great Depression:The Great Depression: - Increased economic pressure impacted both creative artists and - Increased economic pressure impacted both creative artists and

the art industry.the art industry. - Organizations like the NAACP and the Urban League shifted - Organizations like the NAACP and the Urban League shifted

interests from the arts to economic and social issues.interests from the arts to economic and social issues. - Book publishers and recording companies also became more - Book publishers and recording companies also became more

careful about their selections.careful about their selections.3.3. The Departure of Many Key Figures in the Movement: The Departure of Many Key Figures in the Movement: - Charles S. Johnson and James Weldon moved back to the South - Charles S. Johnson and James Weldon moved back to the South

in 1931; W.E.B. DuBois followed in 1934.in 1931; W.E.B. DuBois followed in 1934. - Langston Hughes left and did not return permanently until after - Langston Hughes left and did not return permanently until after

WWIIWWII - Josephine Baker based her career in Paris in 1925.- Josephine Baker based her career in Paris in 1925. - Death also cut short many careers. Others found inspiration and - Death also cut short many careers. Others found inspiration and

life outside of Harlem.life outside of Harlem.4.4. The Harlem Riot of 1935: The Harlem Riot of 1935: - This event shattered the illusion of Harlem as the “Mecca” of the - This event shattered the illusion of Harlem as the “Mecca” of the

New Negro that figured so prominently in folklore.New Negro that figured so prominently in folklore. - The riot illuminated Harlem as a ghetto and was a result of high - The riot illuminated Harlem as a ghetto and was a result of high

crime rates, poverty, and inadequate housing. crime rates, poverty, and inadequate housing.

Influential Figures & Events in Influential Figures & Events in the Renaissance:the Renaissance:

Writers & Poets:Writers & Poets: - Countee Cullen- Countee Cullen - Langston Hughes- Langston Hughes - Jean Toomer- Jean Toomer - James Weldon Johnson- James Weldon Johnson - Zora Neale Hurston- Zora Neale Hurston - Arna Bontemps- Arna Bontemps - Wallace Thurman- Wallace Thurman - Nella Larsen- Nella Larsen - Claude McKay- Claude McKay - Gwendolyn Brooks- Gwendolyn Brooks - Jessie Redmon Fauset- Jessie Redmon Fauset

Musicians, Singers, Musicians, Singers, Entertainers: Entertainers:

- Louis Armstrong- Louis Armstrong - Bessie Smith- Bessie Smith - Dizzie Gillespie- Dizzie Gillespie - Josephine Baker- Josephine Baker - Eubie Blake- Eubie Blake - Duke Ellington- Duke Ellington - Ma Rainey- Ma Rainey - Ella Fitzgerald- Ella Fitzgerald - Billie Holiday- Billie Holiday - Ethel Waters- Ethel Waters - Fats Waller- Fats Waller

Artists:Artists:

- Aaron Douglass- Aaron Douglass

- Jacob Lawrence- Jacob Lawrence

- William H. Johnson- William H. Johnson

- Archibald Motley, Jr.- Archibald Motley, Jr.

- Ronald C. Moody- Ronald C. Moody

- Palmer Hayden- Palmer Hayden

- Lois Mailou Jones- Lois Mailou Jones

Political Activists:Political Activists:

- W.E.B. DuBois- W.E.B. DuBois

- Marcus Garvey- Marcus Garvey

- Alain Leroy Locke- Alain Leroy Locke

- Charles R. Drew- Charles R. Drew

- Regina Anderson- Regina Anderson

- Arturo Alfonso - Arturo Alfonso SchomburgSchomburg

Athletes/Athletic Athletes/Athletic Teams:Teams:

- Satchel Paige- Satchel Paige

- The Harlem - The Harlem GlobetrottersGlobetrotters

- Negro National - Negro National LeagueLeague

Journals/Magazines:Journals/Magazines:

- - The CrisisThe Crisis

- - The Survey GraphicThe Survey Graphic

- - Opportunity: A Opportunity: A Journal of Negro LifeJournal of Negro Life

- - FIRE!!FIRE!!

Powerful Images:Powerful Images:

Final Thoughts:Final Thoughts:

What does the Harlem Renaissance mean to us today What does the Harlem Renaissance mean to us today and to the African American experience of the last one and to the African American experience of the last one hundred years? Some would acknowledge that it was an hundred years? Some would acknowledge that it was an event of some interest in the early part of the last event of some interest in the early part of the last century, but dismiss it as having little to do with current century, but dismiss it as having little to do with current events. events. Some, more critical, would dismiss it for its dependency Some, more critical, would dismiss it for its dependency on white money, audiences, and publishers. on white money, audiences, and publishers. Others would celebrate it, if only for the quantity and Others would celebrate it, if only for the quantity and quality of the literature written and the originality of the quality of the literature written and the originality of the music.music.But few read Countee Cullen today or have the songs of But few read Countee Cullen today or have the songs of Ethel Waters on their iPods.Ethel Waters on their iPods.Yet, these attitudes and approaches ignore the spirit and Yet, these attitudes and approaches ignore the spirit and uniqueness of the movement. uniqueness of the movement.

The spirit of the Harlem Renaissance was The spirit of the Harlem Renaissance was centered in its community of writers and artists, centered in its community of writers and artists, each expressing his or her own vision, yet bound each expressing his or her own vision, yet bound together in a shared undertaking, and with the together in a shared undertaking, and with the community of intellectuals, critics, patrons, and community of intellectuals, critics, patrons, and publishers allied to create a revolution in African publishers allied to create a revolution in African American culture—all of this was unique and American culture—all of this was unique and sadly, would not reappear again.sadly, would not reappear again.Though the Harlem Renaissance came to an Though the Harlem Renaissance came to an end, it remains a reminder to all people end, it remains a reminder to all people everywhere of the hope that exists for affecting everywhere of the hope that exists for affecting change, freedom from oppression, and change, freedom from oppression, and expression individual and cultural identity.expression individual and cultural identity.

Sources:Sources:

The United States in Literature & The The United States in Literature & The Harlem Renaissance: A Unit of Study for Harlem Renaissance: A Unit of Study for Grades 9-12Grades 9-12 by Nina Gifford by Nina Gifford

Harlem Speaks: A Living History of the Harlem Speaks: A Living History of the Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance edited by Cary D. edited by Cary D. WintzWintz