Harlem Renaissance

Definition African American Art Movement Stimulated artistic development, racial pride, a sense of community and promoted political organizations Heart of movement was Harlem, NY

Writers Proclaimed that African Americans would no longer accept 2 nd class citizenship Wrote of racial pride Wrote about racism and the effects of it Continue to influence white and black writers today

Claude McKay Poet who wrote of American racism and expressed a proud defiance and hatred of racism

Langston Hughes Poet who became leading voice of the African American experience Wrote of black defiance and of hope Dealt with issues of cultural heritage

Hughes’s Work

Jazz, Blues, and Theater First time African Americans were given serious roles on the American stage Blues – soulful style of music that evolved from African America spirituals Jazz – New form of music that was improvised – Influenced by Dixieland and ragtime music

Louis Armstrong Introduced an early form of jazz to Chicago First great cornet and trumpet soloist

Duke Ellington Composer, pianist, and bandleader Got start along with many other musicians and famous Harlem nightspot, The Cotton Club

Famous Women Bessie Smith – Empress of the Blues Josephine Baker – First African American Female to star in motion pictures Worked on Broadway then moved to Paris

W.E.B. DuBois Leading voice in African American community Help start the NAACP – Worked to end discrimination and mistreatment of African Americans in the US

W.E.B DuBois Editor of The Crisis – a magazine that promoted African American arts movement The Crisis today - discusses critical issues confronting people of color, American society and the world – Brings attention to the historical and cultural achievements of these diverse peoples.

Marcus Garvey Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which promoted black pride and unity Advocated self-reliance and independence/ separation from whites Wanted blacks to return to Africa to create new empire

What led to the Harlem Renaissance? – African Americans moving from rural South to urban North Why? – Had economic and domestic impact Great Migration