The Harlem Renaissance The Roaring 20s

The 1920s Era Following U.S. victory in WWI, a new sense of optimism, with many challenges Economy enters a strong a vital period Age of Transportation (Airplanes, Autos – Charles Lindbergh and Henry Ford) Prohibition and the Gangster era (Al Capone) Consumer Culture (Credit Cards, New Products) Film, Sports, and Celebrity Culture (Babe Ruth, Jack Johnson) Changing Roles of Women (The Flapper, Voting rights – 19 th Amendment) Harlem Renaissance (Jazz, Poetry, Art, African-American Pride)

The Harlem Renaissance: Overview Refers to the cultural and intellectual explosion that took place in Harlem, N.Y. Began in the 1920s up into the 1940s Era of a new sense of pride and community Expressed through music, art, and writing Some of the greatest artists of American history emerged Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Billie Holiday

Harlem Renaissance: Background The Great Migration : Thousands of African Americans moved to northern cities (from the south) for new job opportunities By the 20s, large African American communities had sprouted in major northern cities – approximately 4.5 million African Americans had moved north These communities were the foundation of the H.R. During this era, African Americans began to: Openly oppose racial discrimination Openly express frustration at poor treatment following WWI Highlight and focus on the beauty of their race The messages came through their art Music was probably most influential – and the most popular music of the 1920s, and GREATEST MUSIC EVER)??? JAZZ! JAZZ! JAZZ! JAZZ! JAZZ!

Jazz in the Harlem Renaissance Jazz comes from a distinctly African American tradition Most important site of early jazz: New Orleans With the Great Migration, jazz came north Combine: a new sense of African American community, and the Prohibition era (speakeasies, etc.) = HUGE Popularity The most famous jazz artists of this era: Louis Armstrong Billie Holiday

Louis Armstrong “Pops” Born in New Orleans, began his early career there, and moved north to Chicago One of the most important musicians in American history Was known for his virtuoso trumpet playing, his voice, and his showmanship Notable for his ability to draw racially mixed crowds

Billie Holiday “Lady Day” Born in Philadelphia, later became one of the most famous singers in American history Most well-known for her rendition of a poem: “Strange Fruit”

“Strange Fruit” Originally a poem written by a Jewish schoolteacher, Abel Meerpol, from the Bronx Written in response to the horror Meerpol felt when he viewed a photograph of two African-Americans being lynched Holiday took the song and made it part of her nightly routine – the song later became the anthem of the anti-lynching movement

Strange Fruit Southern trees bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black body swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh And the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop Oh, here is a strange and bitter crop

“The White Ones” By Langston Hughes I do not hate you, For your faces are beautiful, too. I do not hate you, Your faces are whirling lights of liveliness and splendor, too. Yet why do you torture me, O, white strong ones, Why do you torture me?

The Janitor Who Paints By Palmer Hayden

Aspiration By Aaron Douglas

“I Too” By Langston Hughes I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll sit at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed,-- I, too, am America.

Street Life in Harlem By William H. Johnson

School’s Out By Allan Rohan Crite

"Race Pride” W.E.B. DuBois, The Crisis, Vol. XIX (1920) Our friends are hard--very hard to please. Only yesterday they were preaching "Race Pride." "Go to!" they said, "and be PROUD of your race..." Today Negroes, Indians, Chinese, and other groups, are gaining new faith in themselves; they are beginning to "like" themselves; they are discovering that the current theories and stories of "backward" peoples are largely lies and assumptions; that human genius and possibility are not limited by color, race, or blood. What is this new self-consciousness leading to..." No sooner do whites see this... than they point out..., "You spurn our knowledge." "You need our wealth and technique...." Very well. Some of the darker brethren are convinced. They draw near in friendship; they seek to enter schools and churches; they would mingle in industry--when lo! "Get out," yells the White World.... Can you wonder, Sirs, that we are a bit puzzled by all this and that we are asking gently, but more and more insistently, Choose one or the other Leave the black and yellow world alone. Get out of Africa, Asia, and the Isles. Give us our states and towns and sections and let us rule them undisturbed. Or- 2.Let the world meet as men with men. Give utter justice to all. Extend Democracy to us all and treat all men according to their individual desert. Let it be possible for whites to rise to the highest positions in China and Uganda and blacks to the highest honors in England and Texas. Here is the choice...

The Green Mill By Archibald Motley, Jr.