W. E. B. Dubois And The Harlem Renaissance

Serving as a chance for African Americans to develop their own cultural identity through music, art, poetry and more, the Harlem Renaissance instigated a newfound creativity among twentieth century black Americans. Motivated by politics, economics, and the need for more creativity in the African-American community, the Renaissance showcased inspiration from the community, whether from painters, musicians and theatrical performers, or from writers such as Langston Hughes. One of the foremost creators during the renaissance, Langston Hughes was lauded as “the poet laureate of Harlem” (Berry). Hughes used his voice to showcase black culture and racial pride to the greater American public without compromising his belief in “the low-down folks”

Although the movement had no exact beginning, it primarily flourished in the late 1920s and early 1930s, emerging out of the social and intellectual turmoil in the African American community following World War I (Wintz). Harlem became the center for the movement fairly organically; due to poor race relations in the south, massive numbers of African Americans migrated to Harlem, creating the ideal epicenter for a cultural shift (Lewis). One of the biggest driving forces behind the existence of the Harlem Renaissance was W.E.B. DuBois. He rejected the previous political thought of “separate but united” championed by Booker T. Washington and the “men of Tuskegee” and instead joined with many of the black middle class to promote equality as a goal to be gained through agitation. DuBois and his fellow middle class essentially orchestrated and supported the Harlem Renaissance in order to promote black writers and artists

In his poem “Harlem” Hughes highlights the limitations set on African Americans. Opening the poem with the question “What happens to a dream deferred?” he then compares the experience of African Americans using a series of dismal similes, illustrating how since Africans were brought by force into America they have endured miserable treatment, and have shriveled up, like a raisin, in comparison with the former glory of the people and culture (Harlem). Hughes further delves into the subject of inequality with his poem “I, Too.” Within the poem he narrates an everyday example of inequality, how he must eat in a separate room simply because of the color of his skin. Despite these inequalities forced on African Americans, Hughes maintains his pride, and in “I, Too” he predicts a tomorrow when he shall eat at the table, when Black and White shall finally be equal (I,