Harlem Renaissance and Racism of the 20s

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What is the Harlem Renaissance?
An African-American cultural movement first time
mainstream publishers and critics took African
American lit seriously and that African American
lit and arts attracted significant attention from
the nation at large
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Writers of the Rennaisance

• Poets and Authors

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Langston Hughes

• Poet Laureate of Harlem
• One of the 1st African Americans to fully support
  himself as a writer
• Blended sounds of Jazz into his poetry

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Zora Neale Hurston
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Zora Neale Hurston

• Moved to Harlem from Florida in 1925
• Usually wrote about rural Southern Communities
• Her books were influential and motivational,
  encouraging blacks to change society and take
  governmental action.
• Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that
  I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to
  register depression with me. Slavery is sixty
  years in the past. The operation was successful
  and the patient is doing well, thank you. The
  terrible struggle that made me an American out of
  a potential slave said "On the line!" The
  Reconstruction said "Get set!" and the
  generation before said "Go!" I am off to a flying
  start and I must not halt in the stretch to look
  behind and weep.

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Musicians

• Singers and Entertainers

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Bessie Smith

• Most successful black recording artist of her
  time
• She was popular with everyone (blacks and whites)
• Voice was what every blues singer wanted to sound
  like
• Starred in St. Louis Blues

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Louis Armstrong

• Most influential jazz musician in history
• Born into a poor family in New Orleans
• Played in NY Jazz clubs and remained well known
  throughout the years

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Duke Ellington

• Known for being the best piano player in Harlem
• Leader of the 1st Official House Band of the
  Cotton Club
• Incorporated Latin and African elements to give
  his music a unique sound his performances were
  very popular

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Activists

• People who spoke up!

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Marcus Garvey
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Marcus Garvey

• Immigrant from Jamaica
• Founded U.N.I.A.
• Universal Negro Improvement Association
• First intl convention held in 1920
• Created a philosophy known as Garveyism
• Wanted ppl of African heritage to reclaim Africa
  and create a mighty nation
• Considered the father of Black Nationalism

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W.E.B. Du Bois
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W.E.B. Du Bois

• 1st Black man to receive a PhD from Harvard
• Member of the Niagara movement
• first org to seek full political/economic rights
  for Afro-Americans at a natl level. By 1910, led
  to the founding of the NAACP.