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The purpose of this visual essay is to clearly portray all aspects of the Harlem Renaissance.  The cultural movement was inspired by African American artists, entertainers, musicians and writers who expressed African American pride and their vision of the “New Negro.”  The poem “A Dream Deferred” was written by Langston Hughes. He talks about dreams and uses smiles and metaphors to share his feelings about what happens when dreams are given up on. Hughes wrote many poems reflecting the Harlem Renaissance, many of which are very well known to this day.  A few of Hughes poems are displayed here.  Claude Mckay poem, If We Must Die was written at the very beginning of the Harlem renaissance in 1919.  White people were rioting and fighting against black communities all across America.   If We Must Die encouraged his community to take action and to fight back. Aaron Douglas was an artist. He painted murals for public buildings and produced illustrations and cover designs for many black publications depicting “The New Negro.” Jacob Lawrence portrayed of African-American life through his paintings.  Josephine baker was a dancer, singer actress and comedian.  Her performance in the revue Un Vent de Folie in 1927 caused a sensation in Paris where she later moved and raised her family.  Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and jazz vocals. Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences into the Cotton club, where white Americans learned to appreciate jazz music.

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An Idyll of the Deep South: Aaron Douglas

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An Idyll of the Deep South: Aaron Douglas

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From Slavery through Reconstruction: Aaron Douglas

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From Slavery through Reconstruction: Aaron Douglas