What exactly was the Harlem Renaissance?
The Harlem Renaissance was the blossoming of African American culture starting in the early 1920's that became the most influential movement in African American literary history. During this time, literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts were highly embraced. Many participants wanted to break free from the "Negro" stereotype that dominated their culture among both black and whites. The Harlem Renaissance literary movement is especially unique because of its close connection to civil rights and reform organizations. Harlem was its main location that was a well known area because of its close distance by Manhattan. Harlem was an especially popular night life location and created potential for artistic experimentation. through these experimentations, especially in the arts, both black and whites became more understanding to the long forgotten heritage of the African American culture and its interesting and unique beauty.
How did the literature of the Harlem Renaissance impact society?
The increase in African American intellectual literature had a profound effect on society in the 20's. African American concerns, problems, and styles were taken more seriously as famous writers such as Langston Hughes wrote poetry with rhythmic meter of blues and jazz. Claude McKay used powerful verses to encourage African Americans to stand up for their rights. Jean Toomer wrote many plays, short stories, and poems to capture the spirit of his times. Book publishers soon took notice of all these great works and started to recognize these many talents. Zora Neale Hurston was noticed with her touching novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, which still remains a popular classic today. African American culture began to grow in a way it never had before. African Americans began to express their concerns and culture in a way that grew in popularity for everyone to finally recognize.
The Harlem Renaissance was the blossoming of African American culture starting in the early 1920's that became the most influential movement in African American literary history. During this time, literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts were highly embraced. Many participants wanted to break free from the "Negro" stereotype that dominated their culture among both black and whites. The Harlem Renaissance literary movement is especially unique because of its close connection to civil rights and reform organizations. Harlem was its main location that was a well known area because of its close distance by Manhattan. Harlem was an especially popular night life location and created potential for artistic experimentation. through these experimentations, especially in the arts, both black and whites became more understanding to the long forgotten heritage of the African American culture and its interesting and unique beauty.
How did the literature of the Harlem Renaissance impact society?
The increase in African American intellectual literature had a profound effect on society in the 20's. African American concerns, problems, and styles were taken more seriously as famous writers such as Langston Hughes wrote poetry with rhythmic meter of blues and jazz. Claude McKay used powerful verses to encourage African Americans to stand up for their rights. Jean Toomer wrote many plays, short stories, and poems to capture the spirit of his times. Book publishers soon took notice of all these great works and started to recognize these many talents. Zora Neale Hurston was noticed with her touching novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, which still remains a popular classic today. African American culture began to grow in a way it never had before. African Americans began to express their concerns and culture in a way that grew in popularity for everyone to finally recognize.
Famous African Americans in the Movement
I look at the world
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
I look at the world
From awakening eyes in a black face--
And this is what I see:
This fenced-off narrow space
Assigned to me.
I look then at the silly walls
Through dark eyes in a dark face--
And this is what I know:
That all these walls oppression builds
Will have to go!
I look at my own body
With eyes no longer blind--
And I see that my own hands can make
The world that's in my mind.
Then let us hurry, comrades,
The road to find.
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
I look at the world
From awakening eyes in a black face--
And this is what I see:
This fenced-off narrow space
Assigned to me.
I look then at the silly walls
Through dark eyes in a dark face--
And this is what I know:
That all these walls oppression builds
Will have to go!
I look at my own body
With eyes no longer blind--
And I see that my own hands can make
The world that's in my mind.
Then let us hurry, comrades,
The road to find.
A Prayer
By Claude McKay
A Prayer'Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth's way; keep me from falling.
Mine eyes are open but they cannot see for gloom of night:
I can no more than lift my heart to thee for inward light.
The wild and fiery passion of my youth consumes my soul;
In agony I turn to thee for truth and self-control.
For Passion and all the pleasures it can give will die the death;
But this of me eternally must live, thy borrowed breath.
'Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth's way; keep me from falling.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-prayer-3/
By Claude McKay
A Prayer'Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth's way; keep me from falling.
Mine eyes are open but they cannot see for gloom of night:
I can no more than lift my heart to thee for inward light.
The wild and fiery passion of my youth consumes my soul;
In agony I turn to thee for truth and self-control.
For Passion and all the pleasures it can give will die the death;
But this of me eternally must live, thy borrowed breath.
'Mid the discordant noises of the day I hear thee calling;
I stumble as I fare along Earth's way; keep me from falling.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-prayer-3/
Langston Hughes
Louis Armstrong
For more information on the Harlem Renaissance Literary Movement, visit these sites:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/46e.asp
http://historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.africanamericanhistoryplace.com/Harlem_Renaissance.html
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5657
http://www.ushistory.org/us/46e.asp
http://historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.africanamericanhistoryplace.com/Harlem_Renaissance.html
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5657
