The Harlem Renaissance
analytical Essay
1572 words
Occurring in the 1920’s and into the 1930’s, the Harlem Renaissance was an important movement for African-Americans all across America. This movement allowed the black culture to be heard and accepted by white citizens. The movement was expressed through art, music, and literature. These things were also the most known, and remembered things of the renaissance. Also this movement, because of some very strong, moving and inspiring people changed political views for African-Americans. Compared to before, The Harlem Renaissance had major effects on America during and after its time. After the end of the civil war African Americans had more opportunity and freedom since the men were soldiers of the civil war. Most African Americans had the plan to leave the south and move to up north because of the racism still lingering in the south, for example the Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court case. This case was about a light-skin colored man sitting in the “white” car of a train. Although he was light-skin he was still considered black and got arrested for sitting in that section of the train. This was an opportunity to express racial equality, but the end result was devastating. The Supreme Court declared that segregation of race was to be still constitutionally acceptable. Also economic status in the south was getting lower and there was not as much labor due to destroyed crops. Before African Americans moved to this area, Harlem was “designed specifically for white workers who wanted to commute into the city” (BIO Classroom). Due to the rapid growth of white people moving there and the developers not having enough transportation to support those people to go back and forth between downtown to work and home most of the residents left. Th... ... middle of paper ... ...ty who got to see black culture and all its creativity. Works Cited "BIO Classroom." BIO. A&E Television Networks, 1996. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. Dickstein, Morris. "Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance." Morris Dickstein RSS. Times Literay Supplement, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. "The Harlem Renaissance - Boundless." Boundless. Ed. CC-BY-SA 3.0. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. "Harlem Renaissance". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2014 "The Harlem Renaissance - Open Textbook." Boundless. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. "Intimate Circles | Mason." Intimate Circles | Mason. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. "Langston Hughes." Langston Hughes. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. . "Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that patrons were needed for the harlem renaissance to grow. they included carl van vechten and charlotte osgood mason, who offered assistance and made things more available to the black community.
- Analyzes how the harlem renaissance started to fade away after the great depression, especially for the blacks.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was an important movement for african-americans all across america. it allowed the black culture to be heard and accepted by white citizens.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance had a strong and moving impact internationally. the racial segregation and discrimination ended, and the music and arts of today are inspired by the ideas of the renaissance.
- Describes dickstein, morris. "carl van vechten and the harlem renaissance." times literay supplement, n.d.
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- narrative
- The Harlem Renaissanceexplanatory essayThe Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance refers to a prolific period of unique works of African-American expression from about the end of World War I to the beginning of the Great Depression. Although it is most commonly associated with the literary works produced during those years, the Harlem Renaissance was much more than a literary movement; similarly, it was not simply a reaction against and criticism of racism. The Harlem Renaissance inspired, cultivated, and, most importantly, legitimated the very idea of an African-American cultural consciousness. Concerned with a wide range of issues and possessing different interpretations and solutions of these issues affecting the Black population, the writers, artists, performers and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance had one important commonality: "they dealt with Black life from a Black perspective."
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was a prolific period of african-american expression from the end of world war i to the beginning of the great depression.
- Explains that blacks began to migrate from the southern united states to the north beginning in 1919 and lasting through about 1926. the reasons for this mass movement are complicated and numerous.
- Explains how the new negro movement fueled social activity in a spirit of 'progressivism' that believed in art and literature as agents of social change.
- Explains that there was not a single sociopolitical vision that dominated the works of the renaissance.
- Explains that the renaissance could not overcome the overwhelming white presence in commerce which defined art and culture. harlem intellectuals became "dicty niggers."
- Argues that the great depression provided a deep, abrupt interruption into renaissance activities as it did to all other aspects of social life.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance left a lasting legacy of cultural consciousness that informed all americans of black culture and life.
- Explains that migration has long been and continues to be an important part of black history. between 1919 and the 1960's over 6 million blacks have left the south for northern cities.
- Explains the reason the renaissance was able to occur was the general spirit of "self-determination" and social experimentation that gained popularity and acceptance following world war i.
- Explains that for the american negro, this meant a struggling identity crisis, being an american but not in whole because of the cruel and unfair treatment of black people.
- Explains that the u.s. government's works progress administration cultural program fueled an abundance of african american literary works, performance art, and visual expression well into the early 1940s.
1171 wordsRead More - The Harlem Renaissanceexplanatory essayThe Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance was a period of cultural explosion. It began in the wake of World War One, flourished until the Great Depression, peaking in Nineteen twenty-eight a year before the beginning of the Depression. The community of Harlem was composed of mainly Negroes (not all of the black population of Harlem was of African descent, so the term African-American would be falsely used in this case) and during this time period they were still considered inferior to the whites. For this reason and other events that took place during the Harlem Renaissance, which I will discuss later in this paper, I have chosen the Athens question, "What does it mean to be a member of a community?"
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was a period of cultural explosion that began in the wake of world war one and flourished until the great depression.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was a time period during which the black culture of new york, primarily, attempted to raise pride amongst themselves and attain equality with those that oppressed them.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance started as a literary and intellectual movement with both race propaganda and "pure" art. they represented the outsiders who wanted to be part of the main stream.
- Describes harlem's 'roaring twenties', where people were happy, but the community they made up was a tight knit and caring one.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was a way of trying to get into the mainstream community. they were voicing their opinion through art, poetry, music, painting, and dance.
- Explains that harlem was a predominately black area, while downtown was the southern end of manhattan, the area known as new york city.
- Opines that white businessmen still occupy the same role, below the whites, after the evenings of fun and laughter. these shows and performers had become cultural icons.
- Explains that many of the important players in the harlem renaissance dealt with issues other than race.
- Opines that the renaissance heroes showed that they have talents, are human, and will not be denied. they maintained a strong black community.
644 wordsRead More - In the introduction to The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader, David Levering Lewis states the Harlem Renaissance was not a cohesive movement, but a constructed and forced phenomenon that was “institutionally encouraged and directed by leaders of the national civil rights establishment for the paramount purpose of improving race relations.” (Lewis, xiii) However, after researching many influential artists, politicians, and orators of the time, I must disagree. While, yes, the movement of an entire cultural and racial awakening can only be seen as a phenomenon and the movement itself was by no means cohesive, these powerful men and women needed no institutionalized encouragement. Each of their works were their own with diverse ideas and methods, yet somehow, came together to form an interconnected goal within the movement.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the harlem renaissance was a constructed and forced phenomenon that was institutionalized and directed by leaders of the national civil rights establishment for the paramount purpose of improving race relations.
- Analyzes how lewis's viewpoint is not without its truths. the harlem renaissance was overseen by several intellectuals such as booker t. washington, marcus garvey, and w.e.b. dubois.
- Describes lewis' questions about the negroes' humanity.
- Analyzes how dubois promoted the talented tenth, which included a style of writing that emulated famous white poets.
- Analyzes how zora neale hurston embodies hughes' idea of a brazen author. her stories are spirited women, burly men, and southern ideals that walk through all paths of folklore and african-american life in the south.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance is a phenomenon due to its ability to unite so many people with such inimitable ideas to one common aim.
- Analyzes how langston hughes encouraged positive self-consciousness and african-american pride through his written works and articulations.
- Explains gates j.r., henry louis & west, cornel. the african-american century. new york: the free press 2000. kellner, bruce.
1482 wordsRead More - The New Negro Movement: The Harlem Renaissanceexplanatory essayThe Harlem Renaissance was the name given to the cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York in the 1920s. The renaissance was more than just a literary movement, it involved racial pride. This was a time for cultural explosion, after African Americans had dealt with years of slavery and the fight or abolition. The encounters with music art and literature of the Harlem Renaissance impacted American society by bringing light to artists, such as writers, musicians and painters that challenged the white society’s ideas about African Americans.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was more than just a literary movement, it involved racial pride. the encounters with music art and literature of the renaissance impacted american society by bringing light to artists.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance took place in the early 1900s in particular the 1920s with the great migration relocating more than 6 million african americans from rural southern areas to well populated northern cities.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance was in-between world war i and the great depression, a time when jobs were plentiful in large cities. black writers and musicians became popular when the white literary establishment became fascinated with the writers of the renaissance.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance had a lot of influence on modern day art because many artist white and black drew inspiration from traditional african sculptures.
419 wordsRead More - History Of The Harlem Renaissanceexplanatory essayThe Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that began in the 1920s, brought an excitement and a new found freedom and voice to African-Americans who had been silent and oppressed for a long time. This blossoming of African-American culture in European-American society, particularly in the worlds of art and music, became known as The Harlem Renaissance.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the harlem renaissance brought an excitement and a new found freedom and voice to african-americans who had been silent and oppressed for long.
- Explains that after the american civil war ended in 1865, more jobs and education became available for blacks. in 1896, equal rights for all races came to a halt.
- Explains that the harlem globetrotters originated in chicago and played an exhibition game before the crowds at the savoy ballroom.
- Analyzes how the great depression brought about the end of the harlem renaissance in america. black americans turned their creativity from arts to speaking out for social and financial equality.
- Explains that the harlem renaissance gave a powerful voice that echoed down many avenues, making changes in american culture that continue to speak loudly today.
- Explains that william edward burroughs du bois, a harvard graduate, was one of the fighters of civil rights movement during the harlem renaissance.
- Explains that musical magic would change the world and break color barriers across the united states. it would be found in the heart of harlem but, interestingly, the audiences were not black, but white.
- Explains that the cotton club opened the door for many performers in harlem in 1930. it was taken over by a gangster and well-known bootlegger, owney madden.
- Describes the cotton club, which had its roots in harlem, but later moved to new york city and was in business from 1923 until 1940.
2135 wordsRead More - Harlem Renaissance Essayexplanatory essayHarlem Renaissance was a period where the black intellectuals comprised of the poets, writers, and musicians explored their cultural identity. This paper will explain what the Harlem Renaissance period was really about , as well as the artists that were associated with this practice including Marian Anderson, James Weldon Johnson, and Romare Bearden.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that harlem renaissance was a period where the black intellectuals comprised of poets, writers, and musicians explored their cultural identity.
- Explains that marian anderson was a hardworking young lady raised at the heart of the community and set the stage for civil rights essential in the contemporary society at that time.
- Describes james weldon johnson as an activist, writer, composer, educator, lawyer, politician, and a leading figure who formed the foundation of the harlem renaissance.
- Describes romare bearden as one of the most important american artists who thrived in the 21st century. his lifelong commitment to african art helped shape the way that african american art was viewed.
1061 wordsRead More - Blacksanalytical essayThe Harlem Renaissance was an African American cultural movement that began in Harlem, New York after World War I and ended during the late 1930s. The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously and that African American literature and arts attracted significant attention from the nation at large. It was a blossoming of African American culture, particularly in the creative arts, and the most influential movement in African American literary history. Embracing literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts, participants sought to re-conceptualize “the Negro” apart from the white stereotypes that had influenced black peoples’ relationship to both their heritage and to each other. Never dominated by a particular school of thought but rather characterized by intense debate, the movement laid the groundwork for all later African American music and had an enormous impact on subsequent black music and literature worldwide. While the renaissance was not confined to the Harlem district of New York City, Harlem attracted a remarkable concentration of intellect and talent and served as the symbolic capital of this cultural awakening. The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers and critics, primarily White Americans, took African American creative arts seriously and that it attracted significant attention from the nation at large.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the harlem renaissance as a blossoming of african american culture, especially in the creative arts.
- Explains that jazz, swing, and big band was an inherent expression of the joyous revolt from the confinement of racial prejudice experienced by african americans.
- Analyzes how thematic musical expressions african-american artists recorded during the harlem renaissance were used as a means of expressing their black identity. gender allowed for women to express their views on race and gender relations.
- Explains that thomas wright waller was born on may 21, 1904, in new york city. he learned to play piano, reed organ, string bass, and violin.
- Describes how fats waller branched out to radio with his shows "paramount on parade" and "radio roundup" from 1930-31, and the cincinnati-based "fats and his rhythm sextet."
- Narrates how elizabeth "bessie" smith was born in 1894 in chattanooga, tennessee. she began performing as a street singer in 1912 and later in the rabbit foot minstrels.
1283 wordsRead More - Harlem Renaissance and Jessie Redmon Fausetanalytical essayThe Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement of blacks that helped changed their identity. Creative expression flourished because it was the only chance blacks had to express themselves in any way and be taken seriously. World War I and the need for workers up North were a few pull factors for the migration and eventually the Renaissance. A push was the growing discrimination and danger blacks were being faced with in the southern cities. When blacks migrated they saw the opportunity to express themselves in ways they hadn’t been able to do down south. While the Harlem Renaissance taught blacks about their heritage and whites the heritage of others, there were also negative effects. The blacks up North were having the time of their lives, being mostly free from discrimination and racism but down South the KKK was at its peak and blacks that didn’t have the opportunities to migrate experienced fatal hatred and discrimination.
In this essay, the author
- Describes jessie fauset as the "midwife of the harlem renaissance" by poet langston hughes. she graduated from philadelphia high school for girls in 1900 and became an essayist and novelist.
- Analyzes how fauset's father influenced her to do the best in everything she did. she was denied a teaching job because of her race and sex, but it pushed her harder, resulting in her moving to baltimore.
- Opines that jessie redmon fauset was one of the many great artists during the harlem renaissance that inspired many with her strong words of wisdom and truth.
- Describes the harlem renaissance as a cultural movement during the early twentieth century. it was started by the great migration of blacks to the north during world war i.
728 wordsRead More - African American History in Americanarrative essayHarlem Renaissance. (2007) The Columbia Eletronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved October 7, 2007 from Web site: http://www.factmonster.com./ce6/ent/A0822748.html
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the transition from slavery to freedom represents one of the major themes in the history of african diaspora in america. afro-americans have been present in this country since the early 1600’s.
- Describes the events that took place in different locations for the fight for freedom and right. the first was the march of black activists from selma to montgomery, alabama.
- Narrates how denmark vesey was a household servant for captain joseph and started his own carpentry business. harriet tubman escaped enslavement and fought for her freedom after her owner, edward brodess died.
- Opines that african americans take their culture very seriously and have worked hard for what they have. the harlem renaissance was the major culture movement that took place in new york city.
- Explains that black history month is celebrated because of the effect of brown v. board of education on blacks’ earnings.
- Cites harlem renaissance, the columbia eletronic encyclopedia, 6th ed, and little rock nine foundation.
1055 wordsRead More - Quicksand By Nella Larsenanalytical essayHill, Laban Carrick. Harlem Stomp!: A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Little, Brown, 2003. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how nella larsen's protagonist, helga crane, is accompanied by her thoughts, feelings, and her worrisome perceptions of the world around her.
- Analyzes how helga's first indication of racial conflict revolves around her occupation as a teacher at naxos.
- Analyzes how larsen illustrates helga's sexual temptation regarding dr. anderson with clever insinuations.
- Analyzes defalco, amelia, and larsen's quicksand.
1330 wordsRead More