Harlem Renaissance Essays

Renaissance : The Harlem Renaissance
The harlem renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic event that took place in Harlem, New
York, in the early 1900's. During the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named
after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke.
The Harlem Renaissance was considered to be a rebirth of African–American arts.
The years between World War I and the Great Depression were important times for the United States,
and jobs were in demand for many cities, especially in the North. In the early and mid 1900's almost
750,000 African Americans left the South, and many of them migrated to urban areas in the North to
take advantage of the job outlook and for a more racially tolerant environment. The Harlem section
of Manhattan, was where a lot of African Americans migrated during this time. it very significant
because it pinpointed a moment when white citizens started seeing the intellectual contributions of
Blacks and on the other hand African Americans asserted their identity intellectually and linked their
struggle to that of blacks around the world so people could understand and sympathize for what they
have been through and their daily life.
Black–owned magazines and newspapers expanded. Charles S. Johnson's Opportunity magazine
became the leading voice of black culture.
W.E.B. DuBois's journal, The Crisis, with Jessie Redmon Fauset as its literary editor, began the
careers of writers like Arna Bontemps, Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen.
The movement was about how prideful
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Harlem Renaissance
Does High Art or Folk Art Best Express Racial Pride?
In Harlem during the 1920s, African–Americans celebrated their culture through art poetry, and
music. This was called the "Harlem Renaissance." Poets during this time argued whether the best
way to show pride in being black was through "high art" or "folk art." Folk art during the Harlem
Renaissance best expresses racial pride for three reasons: celebrates black speech, black culture, and
the common man.
The way some of the African–Americans spoke is very well seen and expressed in some of their
poems. In document D, it is brung to the light by words like "de" meaning "the," "ma" meaning
"my," and "an'" meaning "and." This shows racial pride by showing what they grew up saying and
their

Harlem Renaissance Essay
The Harlem Renaissance was an African–American creative and intellectual crusade that thrived
throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The crusade was based in Harlem, New York, but its inspiration
stretched throughout the country and even the world. After the Civil War, huge quantities of
African–Americans traveled to northern metropolitan areas, like New York and Chicago. Harlem a
neighborhood that was situated near Manhattan became one of the primary endpoint for many of
these African Americans, and it was here that a distinctive way of life developed for this group.
Harlem renaissance was and is about the outpouring of creating communication and self–expression
in ones arts that came about with new opportunities since the moving up north. It was also a time of
reawakening for many like the modernist movement claimed to be; it was also a time of self–
consciousness of the rethinking of the African culture and a principle part for the search of racial
identity. In other words, it was a cultural place where the blacks had a pride to express their art.
(Hutchinson, 2017) Therefore, the Harlem Renaissance was a place of expression of pride for the
culture of the black. It was where artists, photographers, writers and alike spoke about their work
implicitly. I will be looking at two poets of this area in particular and they are Langston Hughes and
Claude McKay. I will discuss what part they played as well as their importance within the literary
movement along with the major themes of

The Harlem Renaissance Essay
The Harlem Renaissance
Chapter 1
Introduction Harlem Renaissance, an African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early
1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. According to Wintz:
The Harlem Renaissance was "variously known as the New Negro movement, the New Negro
Renaissance, and the Negro Renaissance, the movement emerged toward the end of World War I in
1918, blossomed in the mid– to late 1920s, and then withered in the mid–1930s. The Harlem
Renaissance marked the first time mainstream publishers, critics took African American literature
seriously, and that African American literature and arts attracted significant attention from the nation
as a whole (1)."
Although...show more content...
In the early 1920s, three works signaled the new creative energy in African American literature.
McKay's volume of poetry, Harlem Shadows (1922), became one of the first works by a black
writer to be published by a mainstream, national publisher (Harcourt, Brace and Company). Cane
(1923), by Jean Toomer, was an experimental novel that combined poetry and prose in documenting
the life of American blacks in the rural South and urban North (Andrews 4). Finally, There Is
Confusion (1924), the first novel by writer and Editor Jessie Fauset, depicted middle–class life
among black Americans from a woman's perspective (Andrews 4).
According to Bassett, these early works as the foundation and three events between 1924 and 1926
launched the Harlem Renaissance.
First, on March 21, 1924, Charles S. Johnson of the National Urban League hosted a dinner to
recognize the new literary talent in the black community and to introduce the young writers to
New York's white literary establishment. The National Urban League was founded in 1910 to help
black Americans address the economic and social problems they encountered as they resettled in
the urban North . Because of this dinner, The Survey Graphic, a magazine of social analysis and
criticism that was interested in cultural pluralism, produced a Harlem issue in March 1925.
Devoted to defining the artistic ness of black literature and art, the Harlem issue featured work by
black writers and was edited by black

HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Throughout the history of African Americans, there have been important historical figures as well
as times. Revered and inspirational leaders and eras like, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights
Movement, Nat Turner and the slave revolt, or Huey Newton and the Black Panther Party. One such
period that will always remain a significant part of black art and culture is the Harlem Renaissance. It
changed the meaning of art and poetry, as it was known then. Furthermore, the Harlem Renaissance
forever left a mark on the evolution of the black culture.
The Harlem Renaissance found its birth in the early 1920's, in Harlem, New York. The period has
been thought of as one of African Americans greatest times in writing....show more content...
Weldon's collection also included a young talented poet named Langston Hughes. Hughes had a love
for music, mainly the blues, which became a bridge between African American Literature and Folk
music.
Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist originally born in Florida, wrote the literary magazine "Fire!"
Although it lasted only one issue because of financial difficulties, Hughes, publisher Wallace
Thurman, and a number of other influential black artists had shared in making one of most
recognized Harlem Renaissance materials. Hurston later went on to publish "Their Eyes were
Watching God," in 1937, still keeping with the themes of strong black characters.
Music was another art form found in the Harlem Renaissance. It became the background, inspiration,
and the structure for the Harlem Renaissance literature. A style of music known as jazz represented
the new, urban, unpredictable lifestyle.
One of the greatest jazz singers of this time was Bessie Smith. She was a southerner and her
recordings were rare for black performers during her time. Duke Ellington, whose legendary band
played at the Cotton Club, personifies jazz. Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday would also record
jazz music form the 1930's until the 1950's.
Langston Hughes was one of the few poets that would combine both blues and jazz to create an
original art form. Claude McKay used the jazz atmosphere in his novel "Home to Harlem." In this
novel, he presented

The Harlem Renaissance In Harlem between the 1920's and 1930's the African American culture
flourished, especially in areas such as music, art, literature, dance, and even in film. This soon
became known as the Harlem Renaissance. With the entire positive and the negative situations of
this time period the African Americans still seemed to have it all. The Harlem Renaissance came
about because of the changes that had taken place in the African American community after the
abolition of slavery because of World War I and the social and cultural changes in early 20th
century in the United States. After harsh conditions for African Americans after the Plessy vs.
Ferguson Trial many of them decided to move to the North to New York. By...show more content...
Also during this time Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and
African Communities League (UNIA–ACL), in which they both aimed to bring opportunities into
the African American community. Not only did this help make African Americans feel proud of
their race, but it also brought them together, not only in New York, but all over the country. They
soon began to create a lifestyle for themselves that was equivalent to the White Americans and
began to advance in the areas of jazz music, art, and literature. All this is what was starting to
become known as the Harlem Renaissance. By the 1920's the amount of African Americans in
New York City had more than doubled. Meanwhile the roadways and subway system had just
begun to reach Harlem, where some of the most influential Blacks had situated themselves. Soon
after, Harlem became known as "The Black Mecca" and also as "The Capital of Black America".
The Harlem Renaissance embraced all types of art forms. Jazz, literature, art, film, and dance were
some of the main forms. But jazz, literature, and art is what really kept the African Americans
going. At this time jazz was known to be the people's music. It had originated in New Orleans and
soon found its way into the nightclubs in Harlem. For the ones who would go out and experience
this lively music they would go out to night clubs. Some of the most popular clubs during

The Harlem Renaissance was a significant historical movement that originated in Harlem, New York
and helped establish the city as an African American cultural center. This period, which lasted from
the 1910s to the mid 1930s, is considered a golden age for African American music, art, literature,
and performance. As a resurgence of African American art and urbanization began to form, new
artistic and social expression began to simultaneously develop in other urban areas as well. The
Harlem Renaissance soon became the epitome of a culture that already existed in America, but that
never fully developed into its own centralized productive mecca. Previously, African Americans used
art as a method to escape discrimination and persecution, but...show more content...
African Americans began to flee the brutal South during the late 1910s, and eventually migrated to
Harlem where they were not only accepted but were celebrated. Consequently, the Harlem
Renesaince became a very diversified movement that not only attracted thousands of African
Americans from the rural South to the more urban North, but also allowed for a discovery of
similar shared past experiences and an indefinite present condition. However, instead of focusing on
previous hardships, most migrants quickly discovered and promoted a feeling of cultural pride. The
rebirth of African American culture soon became a cornerstone and essential characteristic of the
Harlem Renaissance.
In addition, this significant boom of black culture allowed for urbanization and innovative
expansions. Poetry and jazz quickly became an essential part of the Harlem Renaissance. Music
began to shape American popular culture and move it forward as societies began evolving socially
and artistically. For example, Scott Joplin, an influential African American composer and pianist,
received recognition for his ragtime compositions and was able to share his work with many white
and black spectators. Renaissance thinkers started focusing on African American life and developed
an appreciation of their historical and

Harlem Renaissance Research Paper
Jahleel Dillon
4/20/16
U.S. History
2nd hour
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance is a time in American history where the African–Americans in politics,
literature, music, culture and society grew and became a part of the mainstream. This time was in
the early 1900 when African American moved to the newly built building in the suburb called
Harlem in NYC (New York City). It was 1904 when started families to move from a part of New
York City called "Black Bohemia" and relocated themselves to Harlem. This influencing other to
move.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) was started in 1909.
Black sociologist W.E.B. DuBois who was also a historian. Started speaking out against the whites
uses and action...show more content...
Claude McKay was a Jamaican immigrant and radical socialist who had begun his poetic career with
two volumes of verse primarily in Jamaican dialect. But after moving to the United States, he wrote
poems exclusively in a standard English dialect and used traditional stanzaic forms, most notably the
sonnet.
Many writers became famous during the Harlem Renaissance including Langston Hughes, Countee
Cullen, and Zora Neale Hurston. Langston Hughes authored plays, essays, children's books and
poetry and through all of these works promoted equality and denounced prejudice. His works
continue to influence literature in America today. Paul Lawrence Dunbar had accomplished national
acclaim as a black writer before the turn of the century and was a huge influence on later
African–American literary artists.
In all parts of the renaissance people involved seemed to have different opinions on how blacks
should be viewed and how they should achieve their goals. People found things that express
themselves. This helped black send messages to the world about how they felt. Also it let people
know how they wanted change. The Renaissance was a peaceful way to express the pain and hurt
that black endower. It also showed that black where more artistic and intelligent than gave credit

Essay On Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a time after World War 1. It was also called "New Negro
Movement." It was named that because the cultural, social, and artistic explosion with black
American culture. Poetry was one of the main sources that helped lift people's spirits in the city of
Harlem at the end of the war. There were many of famous black poets during that time. Three of the
most famous poets were Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Wallace Thurman. Langston
Hughes was one of the most famous poets during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes was born on
February 1, 1902. Hughes was the first black American to earn his living solely from his writing.
He also called the "architect" of the black poetic tradition. He began writing in his high school
years (Langston Bio.com). Hughes first novel was "Not Without Laughter" which won the Harmon
gold medal in 1930. Hughes was known for his colorful portrayals of black American lives. His life
and work was...show more content...
Hurston was born on January 7, 1891. Hurston was a folklorist, who celebrated the African
American culture of the rural south. Most of her pieces used very distinct dialect to show African
American culture. She also focused on recording the stories and tales of many cultures, even
black American culture. Although Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, her article "A Life in
Letters" she was born on January 15. Many people did not know which one was her actual birth
because of her dishonesty as a child. One of her first books was Their Eyes Were Watching God,
which was about a Black women looking for happiness in the south. The book was citizen by black
male writers because it did not take apolitical stand of the ill effects of racism (Hurston Bio). Then
she wrote a novel called "Spunk" which was selected to be in "The New Negro." Her life began to
come to a stop when she was charged of molesting a 10 year old. She died January 28,

Literary Analysis: The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a literary, artistic, cultural, and intellectual movement that bein in the
19920s to 1930s. The movement brought up big issues in the live of African Americans throught
many different arts. The writers of the Harlem Renaissance talked about African American culture
and how it should be celebrated, embraced the beauty of their race, and wanted to end racial
injustice. The African American writes focused on their culture in their writing. Langston Hughes
was a very known harlem renaissance writer. His writing reflected the idea that black culture should
be celebrated, and valualed. Also, Hurston wrote many pieces, using very clear writing to show
African American culture should be celebrated.."Dat's a big ole resurrection lie, Ned. Uh slew–foot,
drag–leg lie at dat, and Ah dare yuh tuh hit me too. Many wrtiers wrote about their culture and
explained how white people admired their culture and so should we....show more content...
The early 1900s was very challenging for African Americans and thie skin tone. Most were proud
intheir heritage as some wasn't. With the Harlem Renissance they had dignity and their work
showed that. A third major thing going on adressed by literature was race. Most of all the plays
and novels had something to do with race in America, especially the race os African Americans.
Claude McKay's sonnet, "If we must Die", dealt with racial injustice. Harlem Renissance housing
even dealt with racial and prejudice ways. In conlusion, the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance has
opened the door for black writers today .It brought on the relazation that "I can do it" and do it with
dignity and power. The writers of the Harlem Renaissance talked about African American culture
and how it should be celebrated, embraced the beauty of their race, and wanted to end racial

Giselle Villanueva
History IB
Mr. Flores
February 7, 2016
Period 4
Word Count: 693
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was the first period in the history of the United States in which a group of
black poets, authors, and essayist seized the opportunity to express themselves. The Great Migration
was the movement of six million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North
during 1916 to 1970. Driven from their homes by unsatisfactory economic opportunities and harsh
segregationist laws, many African Americans headed north in search for a better future. Due to the
aftermath of World War One , it brought many African Americans into the thrivingNew York City.
Moreover, during the early 1920s the African Americans developed their own culture by the creation
of art, music, literature, including the battle in fighting for their civil rights and the effect of the
Great Depression.
Throughout the Harlem Renaissance, writers and other artists came to Harlem for the opportunity to
have a blank slate to express their creativity. In the 1920s African Americans expressed a growing
pride in their heritage. Many creative black writers, musicians, and artists lived in the Harlem that
the flourishing artists developed. As the back to Africa Movement led by Marcus Garvey hit the
African Americans, creating art and a well respected culture in the American Mainstream. In
addition, the African art and culture grew tremendously in which brought the developments of

Essay on The Harlem Renaissance
During the 20th century a unique awakening of mind and spirit, of race consciousness, and artistic
advancement emerged within the African American community in New York City. This emergence
has brought about the greatest artistic movement in African American history. After the failure of the
Reconstruction period the Negro was not considered either a person or an America. The idea that a
Negro was an American was totally unacceptable to the white ruling class. The acceptance of
lynching and denied voting rights and equal protection under the law, and equal education and
housing in Southern states affirmed their non– personhood in America. During the 20th century a
new generation...show more content...
African Americans throughout the United States and abroad became part of the movement in
Harlem. . New forms of blues, jazz, and ragtime flourished during this time. The development of
the phonograph, radio, and works by Scott Joplin, and Eubie Blake became the most popular
music in Harlem and in America. This new sound influenced the more conservative sounds of
European and folk music. It also brought forth black Broadway musicals beginning with Eubie
Blake and Noble Sissle's musical "Shuffle Along" in 1921.By 1930, this music brought forth such
musical legends as Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, from New Orleans, and the voice of
Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald made the music more well known. Poets, playwrights, novelists
and artists came from all over the United States to Harlem , to share their thoughts, their stories of
the past, and art that expressed Negro life and the beauty seen through their eyes even though racism
existed. Sometimes it was difficult to get recognition or exposure in the literary community. But
W.E.B. Du Bois presented many works in his magazine the Crisis. Also Mr. Spurgeon Johnson, a
member of the National Urban League, hosted parties for newcomers

Life During The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance represents the rebirth and flowering of African–American culture. Although
the Harlem Renaissance was concentrated in the Harlem district of New York City, its legacy
reverberated throughout the United States and even abroad, to regions with large numbers of former
slaves or blacks needing to construct ethnic identities amid a dominant white culture. The primary
means of cultural expression during the Harlem Renaissance were literature and poetry, although
visual art, drama, and music also played a role in the development of the new, urban
African–American identity. Urbanization and population migration prompted large numbers of
blacks to move away from the Jim Crow south, where slavery had only transformed into
institutionalized racism and political disenfranchisement. The urban enclave of Harlem enabled
blacks from different parts of the south to coalescence, share experiences, and most importantly,
share ideas, visions, and dreams. Therefore, the Harlem Renaissance had a huge impact in framing
African–American politics, social life, and public institutions.
Poetry became a primary medium by which African–Americans could explore the "new Negro"
identity that flourished during the Harlem Renaissance (Academy of American Poets). Countee
Cullen, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Jessie Redmon Fauset, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and
Gwendolyn Bennett are among the literary greats of the Harlem Renaissance. Although each poet
cultivated a unique style, there

In the beginning of the chapter 3, Addison Gayle Jr., says that black critic today about how
beautiful poem, melody, play, or novel had made single black man's life. He also says that
American writer an American for black honor attached. The one problem during the Renaissance
was they had really short life there was no black people in it other than artists. Harlem Renaissance
were first one to criticize black and white. They came to dominate Harlem Renaissance through
creativity and culture. Madhubuti's contention, Jeffery Stewart stated after major victories of the
civil rights movement another intellectual and cultural rebellion called Black Power movement.
Madhubuti's, a black arts movement members relationship with Harlem Renaissance...show more
content...
In African American cultural they have interracial and intraracial conflict come up in theme in
African American cultural aesthetic movements. Internal factor is an advanced argument. In reality
Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts movements advocated African American arts which are created
by black artists from their illusion and influences. The connection between the rationale behind the
Harlem Renaissance and the ethos of the black art movement is that both are discovering for "new
soul" , "a fresh spiritual and cultural focusing" , "Old Negro" and "a renewed race–spirit that
consciously and proudly set [...] itself apart" from white America. Harlem Renaissance has more
influence on the black art movement. Even they have a negative image of Harlem Renaissance and
they stand to reason Renaissance in black aesthetic. "Interracial cosmopolitanism" is a sense in Black
Arts movement that connect to Harlem Renaissance. Hip hop artists and intellectual have principle,
refuse to contribute the influence in both Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts movement and have
real relationship with classic and contemporary in African American studies. African critical
theoretical approach to Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts movements not for to see winner or
failure but, to inspired generation of intellectual, artists, and activists. "the basic power relations" is
to continue to struggle against ideologies and political economies of white supremacy, patriarchy,
colonialism,

A Renaissance is when an interest from the past is brought back or revived. Renaissances have been
around since the Middle Ages, the first beginning with a renaissance that would go on to usher in the
'High Middle Ages' starting around 1070 A.D. This such renaissance was arguing, mainly through
literature and art, the changes and transformations regarding social, political, and economic aspects
of life back in that age. Since then, renaissances have occurred numerous times with significant ones
being the 'Italian Renaissance' and a branch of the Italian Renaissance being the 'High Renaissance'.
The Renaissance in question however, is a recent one named the 'Harlem Renaissance'. The Harlem
Renaissance was an artistic, cultural, and social...show more content...
Du Bois was one of the key components in many of these emergent artists fleeing the South and
coming to Harlem. Due to these actions, Du Bois grew to be one of the most influential and
respected members of the black community. He became he the editor of 'The Crisis' magazine and
the 'NAACP' journal. In 'The Crisis' magazine specifically he would publish many of the works of
art produced by the artists with individual columns for each of their poems, stories, and their visual
pieces.
The Harlem Renaissance was in particular, more of a literary movement than anything else. The
renaissance involved emerging racial pride demanding their civil and political rights. A lot of this
was fuelled by the militancy of the 'New Negro'. Involved in the literacy pieces was the influence
of jazz and the blues, which would entice many white people to Harlem and this led to a large
increase in interracial dating, slowly appearing to bring down the barriers separating the races.
However, in the long run it was apparent that enough was not being done and that it would seem that
the Harlem Renaissance was instead going to reinforce the pride that the blacks have for their

Harlem Renaissance
Does High Art or Folk Art Best Express Racial Pride? During the Harlem Renaissance many artist,
poets, musicians, and dancers express their pride through high art or folk art. They each had their
own unique way to show racial pride. Pride on being black became a major theme in essays, art,
and poetry of the era. But throughout time, many poets struggled with questions of racial identity to
express themselves. Poets debated on the best way to show their pride on being black. The Harlem
Renaissance is best known for the rebirth of African–Americans, it was between world war l and the
mid–1930 that all the African–Americans form of arts occurred. On the background essay the write
said "...In his essay, 'Criteria of negro art,' W.E.B

HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Throughout the history of African Americans, there have been important historical figures as well
as times. Revered and inspirational leaders and eras like, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights
Movement, Nat Turner and the slave revolt, or Huey Newton and the Black Panther Party. One such
period that will always remain a significant part of black art and culture is the Harlem Renaissance. It
changed the meaning of art and poetry, as it was known then. Furthermore, the Harlem Renaissance
forever left a mark on the evolution of the black culture.
The Harlem Renaissance found its birth in the early 1920's, in Harlem, New York. The period has
been thought of as one of African Americans greatest times in...show more content...
Hurston later went on to publish "Their Eyes were Watching God," in 1937, still keeping with the
themes of strong black characters.
Music was another art form found in the Harlem Renaissance. It became the background,
inspiration, and the structure for the Harlem Renaissance literature. A style of music known as
jazz represented the new, urban, unpredictable lifestyle. One of the greatest jazz singers of this
time was Bessie Smith. She was a southerner and her recordings were rare for black performers
during her time. Duke Ellington, whose legendary band played at the Cotton Club, personifies jazz.
Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday would also record jazz music form the 1930's until the 1950's.
Langston Hughes was one of the few poets that would combine both blues and jazz to create an
original art form. Claude McKay used the jazz atmosphere in his novel "Home to Harlem." In this
novel, he presented Harlem as a beautiful, fantastic place. In the Harlem Renaissance somewhere
using words to create images, while others were using canvas and various mediums to produce a
visual art.
By 1926, another stage in the developmental history of African–American visual artists came about,
with the establishment of the Harmon Foundation. The Harmon Foundation became a tool for

Essay about The Harlem Renaissance
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...show more
content...
During the 1900's the population of African Americans in Harlem doubled plus many well–known
and brightest black entrepreneurs, intellectuals and artists moved there as well. Eventually the
city was known as the capital of black America and also known as "The Black Mecca." In the
Early 1900's the African Americans who were working and living in middle class began speaking
out for a revolutionized political agenda that would push for equality between races. One of the
most famous civil right activists that lead the movement was W.E.B Du Bois. Du Bois was a
Harvard scholar and a sociologist. He collaborated with other African American activists and even
some white workers who also wanted civil rights. After meeting in New York and discussing with
other black people in the city, the activists formed and found the group National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People or NAACP. Also during the time of the finding of NAACP a man
named Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African
Communities League (UNIA–ACL). Marcus Garvey was a political leader from Jamaica and was
also an entrepreneur. He strongly believed in change for the African American culture and proved his
support in the movement by finding the UNIA–ACL. The goal of this movement was to reunite all
people that have African ancestry to create one community with one powerful government. With the
help of the National Urban

Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a time of racism, injustice, and importance. Somewhere in between the
1920s and 1930s an African American movement occurred in Harlem, New York City. The Harlem
Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African–Americans and redefined African–American
expression. It was the result of Blacks migrating in the North, mostly Chicago and New York. There
were many significant figures, both male and female, that had taken part in the Harlem Renaissance.
Ida B. Wellsand Langston Hughes exemplify the like and work of this movement.
Wells was a fearless anti–lynching crusader, women's rights advocate, journalist, and speaker. After
her...show more content...
Wells was on of the founding members of the NAACP. In 1930, Wells was disgusted by the
nominees for the state legislature, so she decided to run for Illinois State Legislature. This made her
one of the first black women to run for public office in the U.S. The Harlem Renaissance exalted the
unique culture of African–Americans and redefined African–American expression. She was a person
who never stopped believing in what she thought or knew was important to her and other people of
her race and gender. She had to have a large amount of courage to do all that she has accomplished
in her time, and this is why she is an important figure to the Harlem Renaissance.
Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes creative intellect was influenced by his life in New York City's Harlem neighborhood.
Hughes had a very strong sense of racial pride. Through his works he promoted racial equality and
celebrated the African American culture. It was in Lincoln, Illinois that Hughes started to write his
poetry. In November 1924, he moved to Washington D.C. where he published his first book of
poetry. Hughes is known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America. Langston is
also known for his commitment to jazz. Hughes refused to distinguish between his personal and
common understandings of black America. He

During the 1920s and early 1930s nearly half a million African Americans migrated to the northern
cities, in a movement called the Great Migration. Many of the southern African Americans migrated
to a city called Harlem in New York. They relocated due to dogmatism and intolerance of melanin
diverging out the of pores of many white southerners. The African Americans who migrated found
new opportunities both economic and artistic that resulted to the creation of a stable middle class
Black –Americans (Dover, 2006). This was the Harlem Renaissance a cultural, social, and artistic
explosion. The core of Harlem expressed by Alain Locke is that through art, "negro life is seizing its
first chances for group expression and self–determination." (The New Negro 1925) Harlem became
the center of a literary movement and a "spiritual coming of age" in which Locke's "New Negro"
transformed "social disillusionment to race pride." The Harlem Renaissance facilitated the rebirth of
African American literature, identity, and the birth of black pride. The great works "Passing", "Miss
Cynthie", and "The City of Refuge" depict this new Negro movement in different classes of Harlem
that took place during this great cultural and artistic awakening.
"The migration of over a million Black people from the Deep South to Northern industrial cities was
vital to the unprecedented flourishing of Black artistic and intellectual life known collectively as the
Harlem Renaissance." (Alphonso Walter Grant and

Harlem Renaissance Essays

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