Black Lives Matter Movement: The Harlem Renaissance

Many people have heard about the “Black Lives Matter Movement”, “Feminist Movement”, but one of the most important “Movements” in American history is the Harlem Renaissance. After slavery was abolished racism was still intense. Due to this, expression and racial pride were the only real opportunity for African Americans to find their identity while dealing with white oppression. Also, the economy was developing and there were many available jobs in the North, attracting lots of African Americans because of the opportunity to become financially successful. The Harlem Renaissance was considered a “Renaissance” because it was a “rebirth” of the african american community, through inspirational art. The many different manifestations these African

All three of these words lead to social change. David Walker was one of many African American writers who succeeded in inspiring, teaching, and entertaining when he wrote. He was among the early African American protest writers who was against slavery. He also created an appeal on the slavery issue. He knew that he would spark an uprising, but he wanted to see a change. According to Walker, “"America is as much our country, as it is yours.--Treat us like men, and there is no danger but we will all live in peace and happiness."(Walker, 1) Though he writes to try to get the attention and change of heart from the whites, Walker intends his message to black readers. He wants to awaken them to claim their human rights. Many of the black writers try to get the attention of whites because they’re living at a time of white oppression. David Walker was a very influential activist who affected the history of African American’s forever. Another influential figure who brought social change through literature is Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston had multiple skills, but two of her main and most effective skills were a novelist and anthropologist. Hurston stated, “Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me.”(Hurston, 1) Hurston inspires and teaches African Americans to not be ashamed when

In 1939, Meta Warrick Fuller created a piece called “The Talking Skull.”(Fuller, 1) This piece shows an African-American talking to a skull. The emotions of the man look regretful, and sorrow due to something he did wrong in his life. This artist expressed this inspiration from the desire of communication between the dead and the living African Americans are yearning for a connection. This artist was trying to convey this due to the fact that at the time African Americans needed to find a connection to past African Americans to find inspiration, which shows the effect the past could have on these artists. Another Artist that expressed his feelings through art to create social change is Thomas Wedgwood. He created a painting called “Am I Not a Man and A Brother.”(Wedgwood, 1) This painting shows a kneeling African American man, his hands chained together begging for mercy, while looking up. This painting shows the struggle of abolition and also viewed as the struggle for the ending of the slave trade in America. This painting was symbolic politically and artistically because the artist wanted the painting to give an emotion of inspiration towards the African American culture because they want to embrace the different thoughts and ideas. In addition, different type of artworks had different types of meaning to it because it’s