Shenoah Norem

04-27-09

Mr. Neuburger

English III Honors

Research Paper:

The Harlem Renaissance

“My hands! My dark hands! Break through the wall!”

-Langston Hughes

Not many people have heard of the Harlem Renaissance, a time in the early

1900’s when black literature, music, and poetry began to grow into something great. This

Renaissance is the first time African Americans could express themselves freely; creative

expression was one of the few possibilities available to blacks during the twentieth

century. African American freedom to expression grew significantly in a thirty year time

period, and they became recognized not only by their fellow black community, but by

whites who had also brushed them aside. The words and works of art left behind in this

time period are some of the most influential in black culture. These pieces of works

opened doors for many inspiring black writers and artist for decades to come. In order to

appreciate the Harlem Renaissance one must understand the details of this renaissance,

the ideas that came forth, and the long lasting effects of the writings and art of this era.

In an article written by Caroline Jackson, she explains how the Harlem

Renaissance began with what is known as the “Great Migration.” (par 7) During the early

1900’s African American began moving from the southern part of the United States to the

northern, in hope for more personal freedom, jobs, and less discrimination. According to
Encarta, as more educated African Americans moved into Harlem, the city developed into

the cultural center of black America. Also important was the new political agenda from

African Americans that promoted racial equality. Furthermore, Encarta describes how

three actions from 1924 to 1926 really began the Harlem Renaissance. First in late March

1924 a man named Charles Johnson of the National Urban League held a dinner to

openly distinguish the young black writers to New York’s white literary community, as

result to this The Survey Graphic offered a Harlem issue of their magazine in March of

the next year. It featured work from black writers and happened to be edited by a black

philosopher. The second main event that helped launch the Renaissance is the publication

by a white writer named Carl Van Vechten- Nigger Heaven. This book offered a look into

the ups and downs of Harlem life, although the opinion of the book greatly varied in

African Americans, it drew a great number of refined, multicolored New Yorkers to

experience Harlem’s nightlife and also help promote African Americans literature and

music. Finally in 1926, the last of the three main actions took place, a group of young

black writers got together and made Fire!! This publication really pushed the Renaissance

forward; it is know as the first literary magazine for blacks by blacks. (par 2, 5)

No particular style or political ideas define the Harlem Renaissance; the thing that

brought them all together was the struggles their ancestors went through and the

dedication to artistic expression of these things. (par 6) Aaron Douglas even went as far

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

Black America itself.” (par 6) African Americans of this time shared the same feelings, a

sense of pride to their tribulations, and the need to be accepted equally socially and

politically. Caroline Jackson explains how the popularity and the long lasting effects of
the Renaissance are due to the fact that there was such a variety of expression during this

time period and people saw this movement as something that spoke for the “common”

black person. (par 9) More than sixteen black writers published over fifty books of fiction

and poetry, and many other artists paved the way in black painting, music, and theater.

(Encarta, par 6)

All aspects of the Renaissance appealed to a large crowd of people, literature

stood out to African American middle-class, and to the white book buying public.

According to Encarta, not all people felt as if the writings of the time could be viewed as

positive, it caused some debate that black writers contributed to the negative stereotypes.

(par 7) The art of the time had been set up in many galleries and sold to upper-middle

class whites. Levity.com tells of A’lelia Walker, a great African American party giver of

the time, who dedicated a floor of her house in Harlem to be covered by the art and

poetry of black artist. Although the attempt to showcase the works did not work all that

successfully, her “Dark Tower” proved very unique. (par 2) Encarta states that musicians

of this time also had a big audience; cabarets fascinated not only Harlem’s community,

but white New Yorkers who wanted to experience Harlem night life. Music by African

American composers moved into black communities from the Midwest to the South, and

up North. (par 3,10)

The down fall of the Harlem Renaissance happened slowly. Encarta explains the

Great Depression had one of the biggest, if not the biggest impact on this decline. It led

to rising economic pressure on all sections of life. Also during the start of the Great

Depression organizations promoting black acceptance shifted their main focus to

economic and social issues of the 1930’s. (par 10) The Harlem Renaissance dwindled
down at a slow pace, until eventually most of the people involved in the Renaissance left

Harlem and stopped writing. Writers that came forth between 1930 and 1940 have never

been linked to the Renaissance. (par 10)

The Harlem Renaissance left a lasting effect on the wide range of African

American literature, art, and music in the United States. Writers that came forth after the

decline had the advantage of an already open minded public. Encarta claims that the vast

amount of writing from the Renaissance inspired many black writes into literary careers.

Other writers from 1980 to 1990 also claimed their writing had been influenced by the

Renaissance. (par 11)

Encarta adds the effects of the Harlem Renaissance could not be contained to just

the United States. Many writers, actors, and musicians had success not only in England

but other countries as well. As said by the Encarta “The Harlem Renaissance was proof

that the white race did not hold a monopoly on literature and culture.” (par 11)

Now that one has a more complete understanding of the Harlem Renaissance,

they can appreciate the effects greatly. The Harlem Renaissance is the beginning of many

years of successful black writers, artist, and musicians. The words that are left from this

time period inspired many and still continue the shape the standard of American

literature.