Adventures of the Harlem Renaissance by Elijah Fish https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz By Elijah Fish and Justin Rachu on “Invisible Man” en-us 2021-04-16 14:08:41 UTC 2025-12-17 21:00:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f5fd.png What Was the Harlem Renaissnace Anyway? 🤷🏾‍♂️ fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425539838
  • It is generally agreed that the Harlem Renaissance lasted from the late 1910s to the late 1930s. 
  • The movement was born out of the Great Migration during WWI where thousands of African Americans from the south moved northward to fill in the need for jobs. #jetitandforgetit



    • But How Did Things Change?
    • As more and more African Americans migrated to the region, they began to form communities, most notably the one in Harlem. 
    •  Then, as the African American presence grew, their culture began to shine through and become widely visible; whereas before it had been viewed as degraded, their culture then found expression and gradual acceptance in the public eye. #blackculture
    ]]>     2021-04-16 14:14:04 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425539838     Introduction rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425759887
  • Literature was a primary option in expressing African American culture and issues.
  • Information and key ideas of the Renaissance spread were found in novels, news articles, or poems.  
    • ]]>     2021-04-16 14:59:09 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425759887     Impact of African American Authors rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425760659
  • Brought a light to African American culture which further pushed Renaissance ideas and African American culture into the public eye.
  • Increased  and improved African American readership.
    • ]]>     2021-04-16 14:59:18 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1425760659     Expectations Vs. Reality fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1427722767
  • Like any other movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a mix between hope actualized and hope deferred. 
  • Unfortunately the opposition grew steadily as well instead of diminishing in response. 
  • Racist groups like the KKK and others like it grew in size as well as other acts of terrorism like race riots and lynch mobs. 
  • An example of violence

    • ]]>     2021-04-17 04:24:49 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1427722767     Balancing the Scales ⚖️ fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1430591242
  • While the status in social equality and position may not have changed greatly, some change did occur and there were several who tried to make it happen. 
  • Unfortunately, while the explosion of culture of the Renaissance may have changed the minds of a few, the stereotypes of the majority were only perpetuated.
  • However, the people who are discussed in the following sections are those who believed change for the better was possible.
    • ]]>     2021-04-18 20:46:46 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1430591242     W.E.B. Du Bois fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1430653974
  • African American man, born in the North in the late 1800s.
  •  Greater focus on the philosophy and actions of individuals 

    • ]]>     2021-04-18 21:37:10 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1430653974     Booker T. Washington’s Story fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1431370616
  • In short, Washington was a former slave who was accustomed to hard labor. 
    • A short clip on Washington’s life. His autobiography, “Up from Slavery”, describes his life pretty well!
    ]]>     2021-04-19 04:13:06 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1431370616     Marcus Garvey fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435727957
  •  A lesser known figure, but he was an important and well known individual during the Renaissance when he was at his peak of influence.
    • ]]>     2021-04-20 00:56:29 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435727957     Charles S. Johnson rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435869314
  • Charles Spurgeon Johnson was born on July 24, 1893, in Bristol, VA.
  • Godfather of Harlem Renaissance literature.
  • Studied sociology at Virginia Union University and after at the University of Chicago.  
  • Began as an editor for the Urban League’s Opportunity magazine which focused on race relations. 
  • His most notable piece is The Negro in American Civilization; A Study of Negro Life and Race Relations in the Light of Social Research.
  • Book promoted change through his literature and enhanced the new African American Reader on Harlem Renaissance issues. #LitinLiterature
    • ]]>     2021-04-20 01:48:30 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435869314     Zora Neale Hurston rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435869915 Her fictional book Their Eyes Were Watching God, follows Janie Crawford, an African American female. ]]> 2021-04-20 01:48:44 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1435869915 And the Earth Was Shaken... Right? 🌋 fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440520150
  • The long term effects of the Harlem Renaissance on popular culture and literature are undeniable.
  • African American culture became accepted, opening opportunities to individuals who had long been waiting for them.
  • Those of the race who had moved to the North gained a sense of ability and a better understanding of themselves as a people.
    • #straightoutofharlem
    ]]>     2021-04-21 01:04:04 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440520150     In Regards to Segregation fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440672165
    • There may still have been Jim Crow laws and harsh treatment in the South; as Ellison’s IM said as well, Harlem may have done little more than cover up realities and keep them invisible: 
    “Below [IM] lay South Ferry, and a ship and two barges were passing out into the river, and far out to the right I could make out the Statue of Liberty, her torch almost lost in the fog” (165).

    • The fog represents how distracted one could become in Harlem and could forget the treatment of others nationwide, just like how easy it can be to become self-absorbed.
    ]]>     2021-04-21 01:58:36 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440672165     A Final Word: fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440718532
  • Express yourself! 
  • Remember, the Renaissance all began with individuals making the decision to express their differences and be free about themselves and now it is talked about in history books. Do not be afraid to go out and express your individuality and grow into yourself! 

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 02:16:04 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1440718532     rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1443519194
  • The Harlem Renaissance and the Idea of a New Negro Reader by Shawn Anthony Christian is informative about the effect the Harlem Renaissance had on furthering the importance of literature and reading for African Americans.  Greater focus on literature led to understanding the ideas and issues expressed in the Harlem Renaissance. 
  • Chapter 3’s main focuses:
    1.  African American literature during the Harlem Renaissance.
    2. Popularity of that genre and its influence on that time period.
    3. Advancement of African American readership.

    ]]>     2021-04-21 16:49:56 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1443519194     Blast from the Past fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444045478
  • In Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, the main character, Invisible Man (IM), is confronted with his all-too-recent heritage in Harlem one day. On stumbling across an eviction in progress, IM picks up a piece of the  evictee’s property, a slip of paper confirming the man’s freedom as a former slave: 
    • “My fingers closed upon... a fragile paper, coming apart with age... I read: FREE PAPERS. Be it known to all men that my negro, Primus Provo, has been freed by me this sixth day of August, 1859...  It has been longer than that, further removed in time, I told myself, and yet I knew that it hadn’t been (272).

    IM had to struggle to figure out where his identity lies, just like all the African American people who migrated north. He sought answers many seek today like “Who am I?” and “How do I define myself? By my past or future?”
    ]]>     2021-04-21 18:33:58 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444045478     A Step in the Right Direction fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444248582
  • To be sure, some progress was made: an African American community was carved right out of the North in the center of a white majority and there were more jobs and businesses for African Americans in the area.
  • But the reality was that the path had hardly begun to be walked, with most of the challenges ahead and the movement did little to change racial stereotypes and harsh realities of the time.

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 19:20:28 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444248582     Introduction rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444315120
  • Music allowed people to embrace African American culture during the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Jazz was the new and vibrant form of music during the time. #YouLikeJazz
  • Music was based off of improvisation.
    • ]]>     2021-04-21 19:36:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444315120     Louis Armstrong rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444365333
  • born August 4, 1901, New Orleans, Louisiana, birth place of Jazz.
  • Was known as a trumpeter and for his singing ability when playing authentic Jazz.
  • Some of his most well known works are: “What a Wonderful World”, “We Have All the Time in the World”, and “When the Saints Go Marching In”.
    • ]]>     2021-04-21 19:49:50 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444365333     Duke Ellington rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444368837
  • Born April 29, 1899, Washington, D.C.
  • Recognized at one of the greatest jazz players and composers ever.
  • His music had everlasting effects as it brought African American music and culture to the stage during the Harlem Renaissance and inspired many after the era.
  • Some famous hits are “In A Sentimental Mood”, “Sophisticated Lady”, and “I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good”.

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 19:50:48 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444368837     Quote rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444369300 The IM is at a party and discovers a drunken man who is expressing how widespread the idea was during the Harlem Renaissance.

    “‘The Brother does not sing!’ Brother Jack roared staccato.
    ‘Nonsense, all colored people sing”’ (Ellison 242).

    This aspect of African American culture spread during the Harlem Renaissance and continued on after, thus creating an awareness of one aspect of African American influence that was sparked during the time period.
    ]]>     2021-04-21 19:50:56 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444369300     Harlem Location fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444531766 Check out Harlem’s actual location on the map!]]> 2021-04-21 20:41:56 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444531766 Troubles Tag Along fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444542290
  • Those in Harlem still faced de jure segregation, Jim Crow law, Plessy v. Ferguson, and other persecutions, eventually even the Great Depression. On top of that, even with government help, the race still faced segregation. 

    • Read how discrimination affected African Americans in the 20s

    ]]>     2021-04-21 20:45:39 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444542290     Head in the Clouds fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444570164
  • The fact of the matter was, complacency was widespread in the North. As IM learned from his landlord, Mary, at one point in time, people would lose sight of the bigger picture of inequality while in Harlem: 
    • “‘...it’s the ones from the South that’s got to do it, them what knows the fire and ain’t forgot how it burns. Up here too many forgits. They finds a place for theyselves and forgits the ones on the bottom. Oh, heap of them talks about doing things, but they done really forgot’”(255).

    IM had expressed that he did not care much for the problems of the race outside of himself which is understandable. Even today, there are those who would rather drift through life without taking action to make right the wrongs in the world. But such work must be done and those who do will be remembered.
    ]]>     2021-04-21 20:56:11 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444570164     A Start of Something Bigger fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444580423
  • While immediate change did not occur, it provided the foundation that allowed for the Civil Rights movement and even to this day with modern movements.
    • #wedidntstartthefire
    #createchange
    ]]>     2021-04-21 21:00:09 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444580423     MLK on Du Bois fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444589369 Read through a couple of MLK’s comments about Du Bois and his investment in African American Equality! Again, influencing the future by acting in the present.]]> 2021-04-21 21:03:51 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444589369 The Life of W. E. B. Du Bois fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444600603
  • For more information on Du Bois click Here to watch a video with a background and summary of his life.  #DuBoisLife

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 21:08:06 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444600603     Du Bois’ Philosophy: Make Change!!! fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444606801
  • Du Bois came to the conclusion that the only way to move the chains on racial inequality was through protesting and agitation. 
  • His agenda of political protest was in stark opposition to Booker T. Washington’s theory of appeasement.

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 21:10:39 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444606801     An Unfortunate Stagnation fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444639804
  • Washington is referred to in Ellison’s work as “The Founder”, as IM attends the university founded by Washington, Tuskegee University. The university educated African Americans but they were never to be equal- they had to grovel before the white benefactors (38). 
  • IM would realize eventually that the system established by Washington would keep African Americans under the white man’s thumb for all time.
  • However, Washington did play his part in history, and without him, an opposition like Du Bois may never have formed to start the modern equality movement.

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 21:23:55 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444639804     Washington’s Philosophy: Work Hard Here fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444644595
  • His belief was that African Americans should strive to be hard working citizens who get ahead by the sweat of their brow, even if it meant existing in segregation.

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 21:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444644595     Garvey’s Philosophy: Independence or Bust! fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444666517 Garvey’s idea was to establish an independent state in Africa that was run entirely by those he deemed “black”. He strongly promoted “black pride”. He even started a shipping company to transport some back to Africa.]]> 2021-04-21 21:35:34 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444666517 “We organize— organization is good— but we organize black. BLACK” (373)! fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444682864
  • In Invisible Man, Garvey can easily be seen at least partially in the figure of Raz the Exhorter, a character who represented a more violent voice of African American separatism.
  • Even today, some advocate for a separate independent state for African Americans; however, coexistence in some regard is necessary and racism must be dealt with and eliminated .

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 21:43:06 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444682864     A Different World Without the Renaissance 🌎 fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444785114
  • Without the Renaissance, folk culture would not have been popularized and many beloved works like To Kill a Mockingbird, Invisible Man, jazz, and even southern music would not exist! 

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 22:37:29 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444785114     No Civil Rights Movement But... fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444791173
  • The work of those like Du Bois and even Garvey had set the groundwork for the work that was accomplished in the Civil Rights Movement, even in the modern Black Lives Matter movement. #BLM
    • ]]>     2021-04-21 22:40:41 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444791173     Products of the Renaissance fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444796740 Check this video out for some of the popular names who would not be recognized today without the Renaissance!

    ]]>     2021-04-21 22:44:05 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444796740     Bearing Cultural Fruit fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444802521
  • While the needle may not have been moved on equality, the Renaissance was a time for the African American people to grow. 

    • ]]>     2021-04-21 22:47:42 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444802521     fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444983384 2021-04-22 00:20:33 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444983384 Padlet Walkthrough fishe0624 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444984252 Nothing Exciting, Mosey on ]]> 2021-04-22 00:20:55 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1444984252 rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445001804 Photo of Duke Ellington]]> 2021-04-22 00:27:41 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445001804 Zora Neale Hurston rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445016480
  •  Born on January 15th, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama.  
  • Found a love for literature when she began writing for her schools newspaper, The Hilltop.  
  • Involved in literature and drama (worked with Langston Hughes)
  • Most well know pieces of literature are Their Eyes Were Watching God and Mules and Men.
  • Works were focused on African American women, fictional folklore, and ending biased stereotypes.


    • ]]>     2021-04-22 00:33:07 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445016480     Effect on Harlem Renaissance rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445034386
  • Without literature the Harlem Renaissance would not be nearly as effective because people wouldn’t be able to spread opinions or thoughts, or even promote change and current events.
    • ]]>     2021-04-22 00:39:43 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445034386     NAACP rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445083877
  • The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) represents a valuable organization established around the time of the Harlem Renaissance (1909). 
  • The organization took action and began providing more options to U.S. citizens of African American novels or poems.  
    • ]]>     2021-04-22 00:57:31 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445083877     Quote rachuj0231 https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445406412 When the IM is writing and reflecting on his adventures he understands the true meaning of his literature.
    “So why do I write, torturing myself to put it down? Because in spite of myself I've learned some things. Without the possibility of action, all knowledge comes to one labeled ‘file and forget,’ and I can neither file nor forget. Nor will certain ideas forget me; they keep filing away at my lethargy, my complacency” (Ellison 449).
    This is representative of the literature written during the Harlem Renaissance because without writing nobody would be able to express their ideas or opinions. It also keeps a moment in history there forever, as the novels written during the Harlem Renaissance provide a deeper lesson into African American culture.
    ]]>     2021-04-22 03:00:32 UTC https://padlet.com/fishe0624/unjju7gz7vrmsmaz/wish/1445406412