The Harlem Renaissance - Media Portion by Gavin Peterka

The Harlem Renaissance

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 00:34:24 UTC

The Harlem Renaissance was a shining star in the history of American culture. It spanned the 1920s to the mid-1930s. The movement took its root in Harlem, the African American area of New York City, and later affected the rest of the states. The Harlem Renaissance was a result of the social, political, and artistic motives that created one of the most unprecedented, bright, and free-spoken eras of American history.

One of the major causes of the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance is the Great Migration. African Americans of the South were seeking to find a “pretty picture” of the prosperity of the North, avoiding the “grim and terrible” of the racism and segregation that was present in their homeland. The mass of people coming into Harlem created an explosive atmosphere of bohemian artists, writers, musicians, and scholars.

The arty manifestations and creations primarily stipulated the Harlem Renaissance. Such outstanding writers as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay praised in their poems, novels, and essays the culture, the pride, and the identity of African America. Their writing pieces also extended the ideas of self-approval, and fight for abolition and civil rights. The music industry also brought enormous success; the new style of jazz was founded, and such fabulous musicians as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Billy Holiday were introduced to America and the world. These people greatly influenced the music and culture of that time and decades to follow.

Events of great significance were premiers of “Shuffled Along” by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake and “Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. The published book of poems and Africa-related essays is Hughes’ “The Weary Blue,” and Hurston’s literature “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

The Harlem Renaissance greatly influenced the society and culture of that time, and nowadays, it influences and inspires the minds of millions of artists, writers, and poles. It became a detonation of certain ideas, and social stereotypes, and helped greatly in the process of fighting for civil rights. The literary pieces by Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and others magnificently affected the lives of African Americans. Overall, the Harlem Renaissance was a stroke of genius that relieved many issues for migrants at the time.

Geographic Component: Why Location Mattered

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 00:58:34 UTC

The place of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City’s bustling Harlem was closely interconnected with the circumstances of its life. Historically, this place was a kind of center for the congregation of artists, publicists, and social activists of the African American society in the early 20th century. Being attracted by the fuss of the big city and coming from the humble Yazoo reed, they created art for themselves, which soon turned influential. The influx of people to New York due to the Great Migration was facilitated by the difficult situation of black Americans in the South. From this perspective, the nature of Harlem’s life directly influenced the themes and attitudes of the art and literature of that era. Moreover, the proximity of the cultural environment of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City to the world-famous institutions of art, literature, and authoritative press predetermined the unique opportunity to make themselves known. In this connection, understanding the relationship between the Harlem Renaissance and New York City helps to give a more multifaceted representation of the phenomenon. The nature of the Harlem Renaissance contributed to a new visual form for understanding and correct determination – this is not just an art revolution, but a whole cultural revolution that influenced the entire nation.

Media 1: "A Great Day in Harlem" by Art Kane (1958)

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 01:05:07 UTC

Description: This iconic photograph captures 57 notable jazz musicians gathered on the steps of a Harlem brownstone for a group portrait. It includes legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and Charles Mingus, among others.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Great_Day_in_Harlem_%28photograph%29

Media 2: "Take the 'A' Train" by Duke Ellington (1941)

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 01:09:02 UTC

Description: Duke Ellington, iconic jazz musician in the 40s, wrote this song as a reference to the A train, which traveled through Harlem and became symbolic of the neighborhood's cultural vibrancy during the Harlem Renaissance.

Media 3: "The Crisis" magazine by the NAACP

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 01:12:59 UTC

Description: "The Crisis," founded in 1910 by W. E. B. Du Bois and others, is the NAACP's official magazine. During the Harlem Renaissance, it showcased works by leading African American figures, including essays, poems, and artwork.

Source: https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/history-crisis

Media 4: (Headline) "'Negro Renaissance' Of Long Standing, Says A New York Writer" (1929)

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 01:25:18 UTC

Description: The author of this article claims that the Renaissance in Harlem is one of long standing and will have great cultural impact. He references many names such as Lloyd Morris and Jupiter Hammond. This article pays great respect to many important figures in the Harlem Renaissance.

Source: https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-pittsburgh-courier-author-argues-in/21924694/

Media 5: (Speech) "Address to the Second UNIA Convention" by Marcus Garvey (1921)

gavinpeterka — 2024-04-15 01:31:14 UTC

Description: In this 1921 speech at the Second UNIA Convention, Marcus Garvey urged African Americans to unite, embrace their heritage, and strive for economic and political empowerment. He emphasized the importance of international solidarity in the fight against racism and colonialism, inspiring a generation of activists.

Source: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/1921-marcus-garvey-address-second-unia-convention/