Life During The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was a complex, diverse movement driven by African Americans who introduced their unique heritage into American culture through a flourishing of art, literature, theater, and music (Hutchinson, Encyclopedia Britannica). It was an epochal era in which for the first time in history, African American artists attained critical acclaim (Jackson, Yale New Haven Institute). Furthermore, the hotbed of ideas was connected to the emerging civil rights movement which followed from this Renaissance (Hutchinson, Encyclopedia Britannica). While the precise date of the Harlem Renaissance’s genesis is disputed, it is generally thought to have emerged in the 1920’s. (Jackson, Yale New Haven Institute). For those who believe the movement
From 1900-1930, the black population of Northern cities such as Harlem doubled due to the Great Migration (Jackson, Yale New Haven Institute). Harlem in particular was a former upper-class white city which fell into hard times, causing property values to drop. African Americans, escaping the oppressive Jim Crow laws of the South and pursuing work at factories which thrived following World War I, were able to afford housing in Harlem. Since Harlem retained the theaters, libraries, and art galleries from its wealthy past, it had the facilities to become the locus of the african american art revolution. Its’ location in Manhattan and close proximity to Central Park also lent to its popularity over other cities. (Wintz, Humanities Texas). White Americans became enamored by the culture which developed in Harlem and packed bars such as The Cotton Club, a club which featured African American entertainers such as Jazz composer Duke Ellington (Hutchinson, Encyclopedia
James Weldon Johnson, an influential author of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote free-verse poetry based on the orator style of black preachers (Hutchinson, Encyclopedia Britannica). Authors Jean Toomer and Zora Neale Hurston, meanwhile, explored black southern heritage. (Wintz, Humanities Texas).” In addition, blues performers such as W. C. Handy and vocalist Ma Rainey popularized African American music (Wintz, Humanities Texas). Artists from New Orleans contributed to the musical culture of Harlem. Many jazz and blues artists gained recording contracts with Paramount, Columbia, and other major recording companies. Following the blossoming of African American music, visual artists like Aaron Douglas had their work published in magazines such as The Crisis. The Harmon Foundation provided black artists with opportunities to exhibit their artwork. (Wintz, Humanities