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How Did African Americans Influence The Harlem Renaissance

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In the early 20th century, the Harlem neighborhood of New York became a hub of black culture, leading to what is known as the Harlem Renaissance and the subsequent surge in social and artistic activity. The period from approximately the 1910s to the mid-1930s is considered the Golden Age of Afro-American culture, expressed in literature, music, games, and art. The Harlem Renaissance began with the movement of African Americans from the South to the North. Natural disasters in the South in 1915 and 1916 put African American workers and farmers out of work. After World War I, immigration declined, and northern recruiters went south to attract black workers to their companies. By the 1920s, many African Americans had migrated north, with Harlem …show more content…

By showcasing the talent and creativity of African Americans, the Harlem Renaissance challenged prevailing notions of black inferiority and contributed to a broader cultural shift toward racial equality. African American artists and intellectuals used their work to advocate for social and political change, calling attention to the injustices and inequalities faced by African Americans in American society. Key figures in the Harlem Renaissance, such as Alain Locke, a groundbreaking African American philosopher and critic, were influential in developing and influencing the movement. Locke's collection, "The New Negro," played a key role in shaping the goals and ambitions of the Harlem Renaissance, underscoring the significance of cultural representation and political involvement in the fight for racial justice. Even though the Harlem Renaissance had numerous accomplishments, it also had its own set of restrictions and inadequacies. Some critics have contended that the movement paid too much attention to fitting in and being respectable, neglecting the perspectives of working-class and radical African …show more content…

Music was another significant aspect of the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz, a genre that originated in African American communities, became popular during this time and grew to become a symbol of the movement. Musicians like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Billie Holiday used their art to declare their identity and call for social change. Jazz music also served as a form of expression and a means of resistance against the oppressive systems of segregation and discrimination. The Harlem Renaissance also saw the emergence of African American theater, with the rise of the Negro Experimental Theatre and the Federal Theater Project. These theaters provided a platform for black playwrights, actors, and directors to showcase their talents and tell stories that were often excluded from mainstream white theaters. Their productions, such as the groundbreaking play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, addressed issues of race and identity and became powerful tools in the fight for civil rights. Beyond the arts, the Harlem Renaissance also had a significant impact on the Civil Rights

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