Intro to US 2 27 March 2012 The Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance was a time in American history when African American culture could finally intermingle with the culture already established in America. Starting after World War 1, the HR was “about creating art that could be shared with others—both whites and blacks” (Rau 5). The influx of African Americans moving to Harlem was caused by the increasing hostility towards African Americans in the South. Around the start of the Great Migration, which was the movement of six million African Americans from the South to the North, there was a surge in Klu Klux Klan activity. Even thought there was not much more opportunity in the North, at least there was racial tolerance, something the African Americans of the South were craving.
Mariah Pike August 29, 2013 “I Have a Dream” Analysis Martin Luther King, Jr. began speaking in various cities on behalf of African Americans, who, after slavery, were still treated poorly. Segregation was still prominent during the time King was giving his “I Have a Dream Speech”, which, in King’s eyes, contradicted with many United States documents that stated “all men are created equal.” King’s goal was to promote equality throughout the United States and bring all Americans together as one without prejudice towards men and women of different races or religions. He believed that through equality the United States would be a better place. Most of King’s audience consisted of African Americans who felt the same way as he did. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech gave many men and women of different races hope for a better and brighter future.
Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Right Acts of 1965 guaranteeing basic civil rights for all Americans, regardless of race, after a decade of non-violent protests and marches. Throughout the novel, there were many different means of non-violent protests. The black community were taking a different approach to the racism unlike the white people who were very violent and abusive. The black people wanted to be free from the segregation and would do anything to escape it, if they had of fought back matters may have been made worse and their lives would have been made even more unbearable. One of the forms of non-violent protests was Boycotts.
Harlem Renaissance: Outburst of Creativity The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic movement in American history wherein the uniqueness and creativity of African American culture was celebrated. Situated in the black community in uptown New York, the Harlem Renaissance developed a body of artistic talent which had never been seen in America (Ferguson, 24). Instead of wallowing in self-pity, African Americans ignited an explosion of culturist pride. They asserted themselves by embracing their racial identity, appreciating their heritage. Harlem became home to black people, many of whom had dreams and aspirations of expressing their individual artistic talents.
The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New Negro Movement, was direct product of the Great Migration through location, racial pride, and social construction. The Great Migration created some of the first urban black communities in the North. The city most concentrated with blacks was Harlem, a small neighborhood in Manhattan. New York during the Great Migration was a popular port Black migrants and Harlem was the cultural heart of African-Americans. Many talented and educated blacks couldn’t excel in the South it denied them the right to display their skills and talent.
The Harlem Renaissance was a time period where culture became a big issue in the African American community. More writers, poets, play wrights and other artistic figures came into place. Through this time (early 20th century) the term New Negro became more developed. The term originated from the 19th century as a sort of nick name for newly arrived slaves. The New Negro term included “violent resistance to oppression and the conservative anti-protest orientation of Booker T. Washington.” (Ferguson, 3) Writers had a big influence on the community throughout newspapers, magazines, etc; and most writers believe d that the New Negro should exemplify creativity, independence, strength, power, equality, and improvement.
John F. Kennedy spoke, “Only in the case of the Negro has the melting pot failed to bring a minority into the full stream of American life.” Before the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s segregation was the way of life. As Black people were oppressed by White people; injustices on segregation and inequality became seen as un-American. Evidently, after years of oppression, African-Americans slowly began fighting for their freedom. Martin Luther King Jr., a renowned leader of the Civil Rights Movement, presents a good explanation: “Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The urge for freedom will eventually come.
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920’s and 1930’s. During a 90 day period in the 1920’s, 12,000 African Americans left the state of Mississippi to head north with a promise of new jobs due to the war, and this was happening all across the south. At the time it was known as the “New Negro Movement” named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke. Although it was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, many French speaking black writers from African and Caribbean colonies who lived in Paris where also influenced by the Harlem renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance is believed to have its social roots traced back to the great migration during the First World War and its philosophical roots back to the turn of the century and the work of black historian and sociologist W.E.B.
Two of the most influential black civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Park brought their cause to the national stage. Though it was a success, the Civil Rights Movement was also plagued with immense violence and death. Eventually the South was radically changed from a completely segregated society, to a society where all men and women, are truly created equal. The Civil Rights started with President Truman in the late 1940’s. Truman issued two Executive Orders in 1948, the first, ban segregation in the armed forces, and the second, guaranteed fair employment practices in the civil service.
Booker T. Washington was one of the activists the black community needed to get their message heard across the board. He also had the intelligence to convey his ideas into action plans. “In September 1895, Washington became a national hero. Invited to speak at the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Washington publicly accepted disfranchisement and social segregation as long as whites would allow black economic progress, educational opportunity, and justice in the courts” (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2002). When a bridge is connected between two people or things, change is available to happen.