Harlem Renaissance

America is one of the very few nations that have many different voices. There have been many events in the history of the country where social forces, political life, and culture came together. During these times, separate voices would come together in order to create a brand-new expression for the nation. New achievements have been made in the arts and the cultural world of America. For example, the Harlem Renaissance. This period is known to be one of the few periods that defined the history of America through art and culture in the best way. 

Just within the span of a few decades, the entire scenery of culture and art in America went through a tremendous phase of change. The flourishing of the industry during the period of the Harlem Renaissance is still influencing the understanding that people have about America. 

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Harlem Renaissance Definition and Meaning 

With the end of the first world war and taking a new step into the period of the Great Depression in the 1930s, there was a creation of a community by the African-American artists in America. This community of cultural achievements and art was truly a very remarkable feat for sure. It was mostly fueled by the movement of Great Migration that happened when thousands of African Americans migrated from the rural Southern side and took a step into the greater cities of the Mid-western and the North-eastern areas. 

With the creation of the Harlem renaissance American literature and art had an introduction to a new world of music, art, visual works, literature, dance as well as some other forms of art too. Hence, there was an explosion in the levels of creativity in America. 

Several artists such as the Harlem renaissance writers as well as the others had a new way of expressing themselves. Harlem became the obvious point for not just the African American art but also the scene of a nightclub. Places such as Small’s Paradise, Cotton Club, and Connie’s Inn were considered to be the centers of dance, social life, and music.

The Artists of The Harlem Renaissance 

There were many leaders who were a part of the Harlem Renaissance. These leaders would form a virtual list of the most important people belonging to the black heritage and American culture. Some of the most prominent names that came forth were Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and so many others. Apart from that, the jazz musicians also formed a very crucial part of the entire Harlen renaissance. With the addition of artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, there were some other names as well such as Billie Holliday, and Bessie Smith. Yet another name that came forward in the world of dance was that of Josephine Baker who was a fashion icon during the times as well as a great dancer too. 

Background of Harlem Renaissance American Literature and Art 

The Harlem Renaissance came to be known as a very important part of the much larger New Negro movement that existed in the early stages of the 20th century. This movement also ushered in the era of the Civil Rights Movement that existed during the early 1940-50s. Some of the important social foundations during this movement were the Great Migration from the rural to the urban spaces in America as well as from the Southern Side to the Northern Side. There was also some dramatic rise in the levels of literacy. National organizations were created and dedicated to solving the issues of African American rights and so much more. Campaigns were being made in order to uplift the race. 

The Harlem renaissance definition and meaning suggest that it has been one of the most unusual movements amongst all the artistic and literary movements that have happened in the history of America. This is due to the close relationship that this movement has had with the reform organizations as well as the civil rights movements. Important parts of the movement were the involvement of magazines such as Opportunity, The Crisis, The Messenger, and others. The Negro World was a newspaper that would have a very important role to play in the promotion of the black heritage and American culture. 

The Question of Negro Art 

Jazz was one of the most prominent additions to the history and heritage of Black culture. The international appeal that jazz had and the connection of the music to Black life were considered to be extraordinary. Also, it paved the way for the Black intellectuals to ensure that they are able to use the “Negro” aesthetic forms in order to promote their self-expression as well as innovation. With that, more and more art forms such as choral programs, concert music, along Broadway musicals started including black artists.

The Harlem Renaissance was probably one of the most important movements in American history if seen from a cultural point of view. With the beginning of this movement, most black artists found a way to express themselves through the medium of art and culture in the best way.