In the early twentieth century, African American literature, music, theater, and art began to flourish. The end of slavery brought sweet rewards to those who had endured so much pain, suffering, and struggled for so long to abolish it. Although many people were still subjected to racism, their pride in their culture was able overcome it.
Harlem Renaissance began as a “New Negro Movement,” and was influenced by the Great Migration. The South was a place where blacks experienced racism on a daily basis, especially after Jim Crow Laws took effect. Many African Americans left the South in the hopes of a more prosperous life. Unfortunately, it was no better in the North. Even though the northern states’ government didn’t stop African Americans migrating, they were still angry. African Americans took advantage of the industrial jobs that were available and began a new way of life. Create a Black Urban Culture by exposing racial bias, along with political, socio-economic, and cultural challenges. White workers began to complain when many African Americans moved north. The largest ghetto for African Americans was Harlem. Artists, actors, musicians, and writers were all created in Harlem to build and worship black traditions. Art in all its forms was flooded with creativity. Harlem was home to many unique and prosperous artists. Aaron Douglas was one of the artists who embodied this “New Negro Movement” and celebrated African American heritage. Aaron was an Harlem Renaissance painter who painted murals on public buildings, as well as many covers. He used geometrical figures to create a style that represented “Negro” subject matter. His silhouette figures of black figures were recognizable and caught many people’s attention, making him a memorable artist of his time.
The Renaissance was also marked by a great deal of writing. Langston Hughes was one of the two most significant breakthroughs, along with Jean Toomer. Hughes wrote stories in a certain style, which was very popular. The style used was blues and jazz. Hughes wanted both the black culture and music to be reflected. Jean Toomer’s plays and short story were also well known. Toomer used short stories and poetry to tell the story of Cane. It was one of the most well known books he wrote. Kenneth Rexroth’s praise for Toomer stated that “Toomer has been the first to combine folk culture with elite culture of white avant-garde”. He continued by saying, “and he achieves this difficult feat with considerable success.” He is, in fact, the greatest Black poet.
The Harlem Renaissance was dominated by jazz, which shaped America as well as the world. Jazz’s beats and tempos defied musical traditions and allowed for instrumental solos. Every night, city residents would flock to the streets to watch artists play their art style repeatedly. Many performers used improvisation to make each sound unique. Black music was the heartbeat of the Harlem Renaissance. It led performers who had never been recognized to be finally acknowledged and become famous. Bessie Holiday and Billie Smith became very well known and significant figures in the world of blues and Jazz vocals. The new, innovative music brought a club that was popular with both black and white people. This Cotton Club held dancing and jazz well past midnight. Others viewed the clubs as a sign of black culture moving forward in a positive direction.
Harlem Renaissance’s sad ending came with the crash of 1929. In 1935, Harlem’s influential people were gone in search of work. They were replaced with refugees from South America. A riot occurred in 1935. Three people were killed, hundreds injured, and millions in property damages. The Harlem Renaissance had ended. Harlem’s Renaissance still had a significant impact on black culture, even in this unfortunate scenario. Harlem, despite its hardships at the start, brought attention to works that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Harlem Renaissance art changed African American society, but its impact on America in general is amazing. White Americans were excluded from the Harlem Renaissance.
