How Did Willie Redmon Fauset Impact The Harlem Renaissance

Jessie Redmon Fauset

Novelist, poet, short story writer, biographer, essayist, and literary critic, Jessie Redmon Fauset played a pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance. Fauset was historically known as the midwife of the Harlem Renaissance due to her ingenious influence on the black community. Her literary work helped sculpt African American literature in the 1920’s as she focused on portraying a true image of the African American life and history.

Jessie Redmon Fauset was born was born in Fredericksville, Camden County, New Jersey on April 27, 1882. She was the 7th and the youngest child born to Redmon and Annie Seamon Fauset. Fauset had lost her mother at a very early age and was raised by her father who was an African Methodist episcopal

She felt strongly that the black biography was a neglected literary form and needed to be strengthened. During an interview in the southern workman, Fauset states, “it is urgent that ambitious Negro youth be able to read of the achievements of their race.” Her dream was to create a sort of “Plutarch’s Lives” of the black race, but she never got around to writing it (Martin).” Fauset’s role was pivotal in raising black consciousness as a literary editor of Crisis. She chose unpopular topics for her literature and challenged the view of other publishing industries at that time. Fauset’s writing styles inspired young black writers to begin their career as writers. She played a critical role in promoting the work of Jean Toomer, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, George Schuyler and Langston Hughes to the magazine’s national audience. In the June 1922 issue of Crisis, Fauset criticized whites that tried writing about blacks. She questioned “Whether or not white people will ever be able to write evenly on this racial situation in America. (Martin)” She felt strongly that it was the black writers responsibility to accurately portray black

The goal was to teach black children about their heritage. This was important to Fauset because these resources were not available to her as a child. In 1924, she published her first novel called There is confusion. The novel explores the limited resources available to women, especially black women. It also shows women breaking out of these limits without being excessively punished. After many years as a writer and editor with The Crisis, Jessie Fauset hunted for other opportunities in the publishing world. Her first novel revealed that “prejudices existed in the publishing houses then more than ever, and she was forced to return to teaching (Wainwright).” Fauset taught French at DeWitt Clinton High School in New York from 1927 to 1944. During this time, she established herself as a novelist. “She reportedly wrote in the afternoons and during summer vacations, telling Marion Starkey in a 1932 interview for Southern Workman that she was “doing a little every day rather than waiting for the correct mood, or for uninterrupted leisure (Wainwright).” Fauset was adamant about her work, reminding black readers that they must each come to terms with their complex racial