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Because my mouth
is wide with laughter
and my throat is deep with song,
You do not think I suffer with pain
So long?
Because my mouth
is wide with laughter,
You do not hear
My inner cry?
Because my feet
Are gay with dancing,
you do not know
I die?

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Blackface was a minstrel practice of painting white actors' skin black to mimic black people. This practice was used in plays and entertainment intended to portray racist stereotypes of African Americans.

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Minstrel shows were theatrical performances with white male actors normally casted to play African American roles. These roles and portals normally being duragatory.

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Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, as well as a public figure during the Harlem Renaissance.

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Langston used his works of literature during the renaissance to show present the struggles of black people in America. As well as steer from falling into stereotypes and negative portrays.

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Hughe's and others work was aimed at shedding better light on black life and struggles then media would portray, usually in the form of Minstrels.

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Common stereotypes used in Minstrel shows were showing African Americans with exaggerated facial features like lips, them being portrayed as continually dirty or moronic, and clumsy.

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Another famous renaissance poem by Hughes known as "The Negro Speaks Of The River". This poem speaks of black legacy and determination.

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Minstrel Man is shown to be an example how individuals can use coping mechanisms like singing or laughing to mask trauma. Appearing "happy" doesn't erase the scars potentially beneath.

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The Harlem Renaissance grew in Harlem New York, forming in the 1920's and lasting into the '30's.

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Increased literature created by Black novelist and poets began to gradually circulate during the Renaissance. Hughes belonging to this group of spreading the perspective of black life.

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Not only did the publications by black novelist and poets began to expand during this era, black musicians and performances increased.

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Calude Mckay, a Jamaican American poet also had important literature featured during the Renaissance.  He also spoke up regarding racial injustice.

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Claude's poem spoke of the series of wide-spread racially-charged assaults against African Americans by White Americans in 1919. This wave of violence was known as Red Summer.

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Newspapers released during Red Summer 1919

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Newspapers released during Red Summer 1919

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During the renaissance, novelist black woman also steadily released issues. Zora Hurston was among these writers during this time and issued books on her experience as a colored woman.

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One of Zora's famous novels, it discussed a black woman's life growing up in Eatonville Florida. This area being one of the first black established settlements in America.

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Black women also played a big role in the musical realm as well. Ma Rainey became nicknamed as "Mother Of The Blues" for being the one of the first blue singer. She also paved the way for many blues singers

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As with the surge of blues and jazz, the Cotton Club became a dominating performance center. This nightclub gave many famous black performers during the renaissance a place to show their talents.

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Hayden was famously known during this era for depicting African American life in Harlem through his paintings.

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A novel Zora wrote detailing her experience and feelings as being a black woman in the 20th century.

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The Cotton club would have dancers performing to a white audience.

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Despite The Cotton Club hosting black artist, the allowed audience was only white people. White celebrities frequented and rarely would black celebrities appear.

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Madden was the founder of The Cotton club. He had gang related ties and was a public figure in New York's underbelly system.