Aim: What were the Aim: What were the contributions of the Harlem contributions of the Harlem Renaissance? Renaissance?

SOUTHERN BLACKS AND THE LURE OF THE NORTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1914

Most African Americans remained in the South nearly fifty years after the Civil War.

There were plenty of reasons for blacks to leave the south, but little economic advantage to moving northward.

With outbreak of World War I, this dynamic changes because: ◦ 1) war generates new opportunities for industry◦ 2) much of existing labor supply leaves work force◦ 3) immigrant labor pool evaporates.

End result: The Great Migration which congregated black populations in northern cities like Chicago and New York in unprecedented numbers. The concentration, in New York city, occurred on the upper west side, in Harlem. 

The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance

Harlem Renaissance is the name given to the period from the end of World War I and through the middle of the 1930’s Depression, during which a group of talented African-American writers, thinkers and artists produced a sizable contribution to American culture.

Harlem is viciousModernism. Bang Clash.Vicious the way it's made,Can you stand such beauty.So violent and transforming.

- Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones)

Harlem, New YorkHarlem, New York

Some of the musicians during the Some of the musicians during the Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance

Bessie Smith _ Ma Rainey – Jazz singers Duke Ellington - pianist Louis “ Satchmo” Armstrong -trumpeter Cab Calloway – Jazz singer

The Young Black Intellectuals

The group, photographed at a party held for Langston Hughes, includes (from left to right): Poet Langston Hughes, sociologist Charles Spurgeon Johnson, historian E. Franklin Frazier, doctor and author Rudolph Fisher, and legislator Hubert Delaney. This photo is from the collection of Regina Andrews.

The Harlem Renaissance gave birth the many important The Harlem Renaissance gave birth the many important publications, such as publications, such as The Crisis The Crisis magazine, edited by magazine, edited by W. E. B. DuBois, giving black writers W. E. B. DuBois, giving black writers a forum where their voices could be heard.a forum where their voices could be heard.

Palmer HaydenPalmer Hayden“The Janitor Who Paints”“The Janitor Who Paints”

Jeunesse* Jeunesse* by Palmer by Palmer HaydenHayden

*Jeunesse – gilded youth or young people of wealth and fashion

Palmer HaydenPalmer Hayden

Hale Woodruff, 1934Hale Woodruff, 1934

Hale WoodruffHale Woodruff

Edward Burra, 1934Edward Burra, 1934

Augusta Savage 1930 Augusta Savage 1930

Gamin*

*gamin-n. a neglected boy left to run about The streets; street urchin

Writers of the Harlem Renaissance Writers of the Harlem Renaissance

Sterling BrownClaude McKayLangston HughesZora Neal HurstonJames Weldon

JohnsonCountee CullenNella LarsonRichard Wright

Claude McKayClaude McKayAmerica

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,Stealing my breath of life, I will confessI love this cultured hell that tests my youth!Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,Giving me strength erect against her hate.Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state,I stand within her walls with not a shredOf terror, malice, not a word of jeer.Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,And see her might and granite wonders there,Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

Langston HughesLangston Hughes

Cross

My old man’s a white old manAnd my old mother’s black.If ever I cursed my white old manI take my curses back.If ever I cursed my black old motherAnd wished she were in hell,I’m sorry for that evil wishAnd now I wish her wellMy old man died in a fine big

house.My ma died in a shack.I wonder where I’m going to die,Being neither white nor black?