The New Negro that Alain Locke described in his essay was more of a movement. He compared the old Negro way to how African Americans were viewed. Viewed as “something to be argued about, condemned or defended, to be kept down,” or “in his place”, (Locke 974). Making it known that African Americans weren’t answering to unjust stereotypes and oppression. Whereas the New Negro was as a new generation of African Americans that have come forward with a new fire, transpiring into to a new “progressive phase of contemporary negro life”(Locke 973). The new Negro reconceived the identity of what it was to be considered American. The new Negro was not smothered or left with the pressure of generations before him. Instead the new Negro has found “self-expression” …show more content…
Hurston’s “How it feels to be colored” she demonstrates a very strong sense of self. From a young age Zora was not aware of the prejudice of being colored until being sent away for schooling where she wasn’t seen as just Zora. Her ethnicity became a key factor suddenly once she began to explore outside her home. I believe Zora was a prime example of the New Negro. Even from a young age she is artistic and composed. When presented with who the world and society saw her as, “now a little colored girl” (Hurston 1041). Zora did not feel defined by her color. She had a unique mind set. Yes, she was the “granddaughter of slaves”, but she was not “tragically colored. There was no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind it at all. (Hurston 1042) She wasn’t definable by the color of her skin; her color was just another asset that made her …show more content…
Hurston, other African Americans developed a New Negro way of thinking. Such as Langston Hughes, through poetry he uses rhythm and technique to paint a picture of the Harlem renascence, the way he was viewed, but also how he felt. In his poem “Theme for English B” He questions if life living with this great divide really as simple as it seems. He questions what makes him different from other races. “I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things as other folks like who are other races” (Hughes 1320). Daily he positions himself at this institution where people are not like him. “Being me it will not be white, but it will be a part of you, instructor. You are white, yet a part of me as I am a part of you. That’s America.” Langston makes it known that through differences be it race or hobbies he is American, They are American. This New Negro way of thinking grew exponentially shaping the Harlem renaissance. “The future as I see it,” by Marcus Garvey expresses how he hopes the future will one day be. He believed that by tearing down social constructs and expressing our selves in numerous ways, African Americans will create a well-educated path to success. He recants the goal of the Universal Negro Improvement association. We “Have pledged that nothing in the world shall stand in our way, nothing in the world shall discourage us, but opposition shall make us work harder.” (Garvey 990) This is the new fire, hope, and determination the New Negro