History of the Harlem Renaissance

Matthew DeWeese

Mrs.Reno

American Literature

May 13, 2013

History of the Harlem Renaissance

Also known as the new negro movement, the new negro renaissance, and the negro renaissance, the movement emerged toward the end of World War I in 1918, started in the mid- to late 1920s, and then ended in the mid-1930s. The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously and that African American literature and arts attracted lots of attention from the nation at large. Although it was a large literary movement, it was closely related to developments in African American music, theater, art, and politics. (Mauhan).

Harlem Renaissance poetry is characterized by a focus on the black American experience and relevant themes. Much of the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance is characterized as a study of the historical place of the contemporary African American history and the future. This poetry asks the question: where has the black American been and where is she going? Poetry of the Renaissance also addressed themes of American identity and the American dream. In two famous poems, Langston Hughes wrote, "I, too, am America" and "What happens to a dream deferred?" (Will Gish).

The Harlem Renaissance resulted in African-American artists gaining the attention of whites and raising awareness by promoting ideas like racial integration and cooperation, which would go on to take effect in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. African-American artists were able to create and disseminate accurate portrayals of their lives and experiences that combated the negative, racist depictions that existed before the movement. An outburst of creative activity among African Americans occurred in all fields of art between 1920 and 1930. The place was Harlem in New York City and the people were African Americans who came from the South looking for a