1. The Harlem Renaissance
For two minutes write as quickly and efficiently as you can and describe what you think of when you hear the word Renaissance

2. Harlem, NY (1920's) Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.
-James Weldon Johnson
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"
(the "Negro National Anthem")
Based on the photo and song above, who were the residents of Harlem, NY and what were their values?

3. The Harlem Renaissance
·a period of literary, musical, and artistic production amongst African Americans
·reached its peak in the 1920's
·centered in the Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City
·many people at this time where "anti-black"
·many blacks (from the south in particular) migrated to Harlem in hopes of finding freedom from the 4 million white supremacists (such as the Ku Klux Klan) which were prominent at this time
·Harlem was the center for many hot night spots- this drew in many white tourists and artists as well

4. "The New Negro"
·"New Negros" rejected beast like or sentimental stereotypes, claiming the right to defend themselves against attack
·felt a collective identity and had pride in their race
·asserted their contribution to American culture
·possessed an international consciousness, recognizing their roots and kinship among blacks from the US, West Indies and Africa

5. Writers of the Harlem Renaissance
·Langston Hughes- wrote dozens of volumes of poetry, plays, fiction, and essays, praised blackness, embraced common people, and blended elements of jazz and blues into his work
·Zora Neale Hurston- trained in anthropology and drew upon African-American folk tales to write her stories, essays and folklore, her collections reflect a love of black language and manners
·Jean Toomer- wrote experimental blended poetry and prose focused on the beautiful and terrible aspects of the blacks experiences in the South