Harlem Renaissance

I. Black experience with American Culture A. Location—plot of land in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan B. Migration—rural (country) to urban (inner- city)—naïveté to knowledgeable C. Harlem—central location for national and international expansion of black society D. Renaissance—developed out of WWI, creating a spirit of a culture that sustains self- determination and creativity

II. History must be revisited to create a New Cultural Identity A. Change—American progress—creative affluence in art and literature B. Blacks were displaying a great deal of creativity; intellectual literature and art was well on its way C. Unfortunately, no one was prepared for The Great Depression

III. Importance of the Harlem Renaissance A. A symbol of a culture B. A beacon of life containing: Black urbanity and Black militancy C. A race capitol D. Alain Locke wrote: “The peasant, the student, the business, the professional man, artist, poet, musician, adventurer and worker, preacher and criminal, exploiter and social outcast, each group has come with its own special motives…but their greatest experience has been the finding of one another.” E. Though known as a “race capitol”, diversity was still maintained and experienced

IV. Legacy built through the Character of the People A. Renewing the appreciation of folk roots and culture—finding an identity B. Imagination created a freedom from past conditions of the American culture C. Innocence—Harlem intellectuals mimic whites through clothes and manners, earning negative remarks from the Harlem community of which they were trying to raise up D. 1920’s—an era of experimentation, creativity, and self-doubt—gives us unique and sophisticated individuals in the Harlem Renaissance