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Harlem Renaissance Analysis

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The Harlem Renaissance took place during the 1920s-30s and was recognized for its advancements in music, art, and literature for African Americans. The Great Migration was one of the major factors that contributed to the movement of African Americans from their farms in the South to cities in the North in order to try to establish a better life and attain greater economic opportunities for themselves(The Harlem Renaissance). Many African Americans also wanted to be relieved from the harsh racism and impoverished standard of living which they had previously experienced in the South. A place in New York City known as Harlem was considered to be the center for African American life after the Civil War (Alchin). African Americans established many …show more content…

In "A Negro Explains 'Jazz'" the author explains how jazz tried to shift the seemingly known African American identity of being full of "mumbo jumbo" to being identified as "conscious, intelligent, talented soldiers that are loyal citizens to their country" (Anderson, ). Jazz was considered to be "America's art form," consisting of brass instruments and occasionally the piano (Larson, 2). Jazz during the Harlem Renaissance "offered a revealing measure of the movement's character" (Ogren, 116). Jazz music as it was popular amongst blacks also had begun to gain support from the white community as well (The Harlem Renaissance). Many jazz musicians performed at different clubs and bars around New York City and specifically in Harlem where others could come out for the night and enjoy exceptional …show more content…

Jazz was considered to "represent some of the best potentials that are inherent in the American conception of democracy including making sure that everyone has a place to have their own say" (Booke). This idea was central to African Americans discovering their identity in society because jazz allowed them to share their ideas and culture with everyone. Jazz caused "white patrons to flock to Harlem's jazz clubs and speakeasies where they would mingle with black locals" (Bodenner, 7). Jazz was seen to have knocked down a barrier between whites and blacks in which they could all interact with each other in a pleasant and entertaining way. Jazz music led to greater integration of African Americans and whites not only in terms of society, but in the industry as well. A jazz musician, Buster Bailey, recognized this and said "One thing I'm happy to see is the integration among musicians". Whites had been able to perform in several predominantly black bands which was something that was never done before (Zola). Along with mixture of whites into the black society in the form of performing, whites also spent a night going uptown to Harlem and enjoying some jazz music in bars and clubs that used to be limited only to African Americans. Whites and African Americans were able to intermingle at jazz clubs in ways that were illegal in other states (Booke). One

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Throughout America's history, African Americans suffered racism, bias, including constant scolding during the 19th century. Nevertheless, perspectives shifted distinctly, when the American Dream surged through hearts of the previously shunned race, migrating in mass numbers, known as The Great Migration. With the traveling immigrants, they brought about Jazz to liven up the dull streets with legendary names such as Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Their new sounds caught thousands of people’s attention, improving the African American race to new confidence as never before. As a result, their legacy not only established new grounds for African Americans but also contributed to America’s modern swing to the sounds of Jazz.

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The 1920s paved the way for many developments in African American culture and resolutions to their challenges. Consequently, out of the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance was born. The Harlem Renaissance was a reawakening of African American culture throughout the decade. During this period, an explosion of art and music, particularly jazz, advanced the perception of African American culture and people (Document H). Additionally, the Great Migration made a better life possible for African Americans.

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In the 1920s the African American was starting in earnest to place his or her stamp on American culture as a whole. It is in the era the seeds of revolution were planted that would bear fruit in the Civil Rights era of the mid 20th century. As the African Americans in New Orleans did make jazz the African Americans in New York and Chicago made Jazz what it is today and it helped many people see that what they live in is not what the have to stay

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The Harlem Renaissance was a black literary and art movement that began in Harlem, New York. Migrants from the South came to Harlem with new ideas and a new type of music called Jazz. Harlem welcomed many African Americans who were talented. Writers in the Harlem Renaissance had separated themselves from the isolated white writers which made up the “lost generation” The formation of a new African American cultural identity is what made the Harlem Renaissance and the Lost Generation unique in American culture because it influenced white literacy and it was a sense of freedom for African Americans.

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The “New Negro Movement”, later called The Harlem Renaissance, was all about self expression through art (Opinde). Jazz was derived from the experience of black americans, borrowing from European and African musical traditions. Music in this genre

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Without African Culture jazz might not have become what it is today, in the 1920’s people could see the increase of black culture, including music. African music brought many factors to the production of jazz, including African drum beats. With the blacks and whites sharing more ideas about music, this helped with the idea of jazz. New music brought new women, “flappers”, “flappers” were women who were more independent than past generations. They brought a new look to the 1920’s, started doing different things that women normally wouldn't have done, and they always knew the latest dances.

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Artist such as Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Bessie Smith, amongst others, were beginning to express attitudes of hope, freedom and solidarity. Although it was primarily an artistic movement, it was also a political social movement. Despite the challenges of race and class, the Harlem Renaissance represented a new social interaction between Blacks and Whites. As a result of the big migration, the image of African Americans changed from rural country bumpkins to one of urban sophistication. African Americans began to generate a sense of pride within themselves, and a discovery of their own identity.

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The blues were then popularised by female singers like Marline Johnson and Bessie Smith. • Young Americans began to embrace this new style by listening and dancing to it. • For the first time radios and record players were widely available in stores. ** • Throughout its history jazz dance has developed in parallel to jazz music. ** • Jazz music was part of the popular minstrel shows and vaudeville shows, both of which introduced the music to wider audiences.

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In conclusion what had made The Harlem Renaissance a renaissance was from the continuous hard work that many black artist have put in during this time. It had caused a culture bloom for blacks and whites alike. The Harlem Renaissance pushed for equality amongst the black community and have even come to influence modern day song and style. The people writing in this essay are only a very small handful from the people who had helped push for such a cultural

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The Harlem Renaissance was a period of great cultural growth in the black community. It is accepted that it started in 1918 and lasted throughout the 1930s. Though named the ‘Harlem’ Renaissance, it was a country-wide phenomenon of pride and development among black Americans, the likes of which had never existed in such grand scale. Among the varying political actions and movements for equality, a surge of new art appeared: musical, visual, and even theatre. With said surge, many of the most well-known black authors, poets, musicians and actors rose to prevalence including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Louis Armstrong, and Eulalie Spence.

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In life, there are few things as organic as jazz music. With its raw sound and scrappy roots, one cannot help but feel life head-on whilst witnessing players produce such a sound right before their eyes. Its origins and arch are a product of the United States’ national culture and identity. Jazz exists not only as a deeply rooted form of art but as a cultural marker, particularly during its commercial peak in the first half of the 20th century. Its impact transcends borders, and it is one of the most beloved musical genres worldwide.

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Jazz, in nature contains many characteristics of black people because its origin was from an African music. When we talk about jazz as a black music, the black here refer to African-American. African music is characterized by collective performance as a musical element. Several people played together and danced and enjoyed music. That's why rhythm play was more important than melody in Jazz eventually in Hancock’s music.

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The soulful rhythmic sounds of the Harlem streets, flowed within the souls of its people. “Jazz, blues, and spiritual was known as Black Music was very popular” (Watson, p.107). The Harlem Renaissance drew a lot of individuals beyond the black community. In the book, The Harlem Renaissance: Hub of African-American Culture, the author wrote, “Harlem drew… those who sniffed the winds of fashion…

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The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that reflected the culture of African Americans in an artistic way during the 1920’s and the 30’s. Many African Americans who participated in this movement showed a different side of the “Negro Life,” and rejected the stereotypes that were forced on themselves. The Harlem Renaissance was full of artists, musicians, and writers who wrote about their thoughts, especially on discrimination towards blacks, such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Langston Hughes. The Harlem Renaissance was an influential and exciting movement, and influenced others to fight for what they want and believed in. The Harlem Renaissance was the start of the Civil Rights Movement.

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The 20th century can be fairly considered as the most important period in the history of African American people because it is just the time when racism discrimination was overcome. For many years before the beginning of the struggle for rights of African-American people, there was a legal system based on white supremacy. African Americans didn't have a real opportunity to vote. Segregation was spread everywhere: black people were not allowed to take seats in public transport which belonged to whites, they could not attend universities and schools for white people, it was even forbidden to drink from the same drinking fountains. Many shops and stores, cafes and restaurants refused service African Americans and treated them as inferior people.

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