The Harlem Renaissance

An introduction tracing the groundbreaking work of African Americans in this pivotal cultural and artistic movement.

We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.
-Langston Hughes, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”

Overview

In the 1920s, creative and intellectual life flourished within African American communities in the North and Midwest regions of the United States, with Harlem as the epicenter. Harlem, a New York City neighborhood covering only three square miles, became a vibrant hub for black artists, intellectuals, writers, and musicians.

Economic and Cultural Landscape:

Harlem had a concentration of black-owned businesses including newspapers, publishing houses, music companies, nightclubs, cabarets, and theaters.
This economic foundation supported and fueled a thriving cultural scene.

Significance of Harlem:

Described as “the Negro capital of the world,” Harlem played a crucial role in defining a period where African American artists reclaimed their identity.
This reclamation was a form of resistance to widespread prejudice and discrimination.

Historical Context

The origins of the Harlem Renaissance can be traced back to the Great Migration in the early 20th century:

The Great Migration: Refers to the mass movement of hundreds of thousands of African Americans from the rural South to dense urban centers in search of better economic prospects.
Spiritual Coming of Age: Quoting Alain Locke, the migration marked a time of spiritual maturation for African American artists and thinkers who sought opportunities for group expression and self-determination.

Poetic Exploration

Harlem Renaissance poets explored the themes of beauty and pain within black life, striving to define their identity beyond white stereotypes. Notable poets included:

Langston Hughes
Claude McKay
Georgia Douglas Johnson

Poetic Forms and Influences

Poetry from this period showcased a diverse range of styles and themes. For example:

Claude McKay often employed European poetic forms like the sonnet but infused them with radical messages, seen in works like “If We Must Die.”
Other poets like James Weldon Johnson brought distinctly black cultural elements into their poetry, incorporating the rhythms of ragtime, jazz, and blues.

Timeline of Key Events (1900-1940)

1900-1919

During this period, the Great Migration began, significantly influencing the demographics of Harlem:

More than 175,000 African American migrants settled in Harlem alone.

Notable Works from 1900-1919:

The Song of the Smoke - W. E. B. Du Bois
If We Must Die - Claude McKay
The Heart of a Woman - Georgia Douglas Johnson

1920-1924

The literary aspect of the Harlem Renaissance began to take shape:

A pivotal dinner at the Civic Club in 1924 brought together African American writers and members of the white literary elite, leading to increased visibility.
Noteworthy publications included:

Harlem Shadows - Claude McKay
The Book of American Negro Poetry - James Weldon Johnson
Cane - Jean Toomer

1925-1929

Key achievements characterized this period, including:

Publication of Alain Locke’s anthology, The New Negro: An Interpretation, which defined the goals and aesthetics of the Harlem Renaissance.
Yet, the economic boom of the 1920s began to wane with the onset of the Great Depression in October 1929.

1930-1940

The 1930s marked a decline in Harlem’s vibrancy due to unemployment and socio-economic issues.
The Harlem race riot in 1935 marked a significant and tumultuous event, reflecting the era's tensions.

Impact of the Harlem Renaissance

The legacy left by poets and artists of the Harlem Renaissance is profound:

The movement inspired subsequent cultural and societal shifts, including:

The Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 70s.
International art movements of the African diaspora, such as Negrismo in the Caribbean and Négritude in the Francophone world.

Further Resources

Articles and Resources:

Harlem Renaissance Overview
Claude McKay's Art
Langston Hughes 101

The Cultural and Artistic Legacy of the Harlem Renaissance