Map of Harlem During the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance, lasting from around 1925 to 1935, marked a new beginning for African Americans in the United States. Through culture, arts, music, dance, and most importantly, freedom, they came together to form a culture that spread throughout our country.

Poetry by Langston Hughes - The Weary Blues

Langston Hughes

James Langston Hughes is known as a famous African American writer and poet. He was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, yet lived with his grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas when growing up. Langston Hughes began writing as a child, and was first recognized for his talent in high school. He published work in his school’s newspaper and with time, he and his writings matured. Langston Hughes attended the University of Columbia in the fall of 1921. Only staying in school for a year, Langston Hughes fell in love with Harlem and the culture, arts and opportunities it offered. He began writing more than ever because of the inspirations he got from the people of Harlem. His works were published in many magazines, including the Crisis and Opportunity magazines. Money was a major concern for Langston Hughes. He struggled to live a comfortable life living off the salary of a writer. He passed away on May 22, 1967, leaving an impact on the culture of African Americans for years to come. 

http://www.kansasheritage.org/crossingboundaries/page6e1.html

“It isn't where you came from, its where you're going that counts.”- E.F

“If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET.”- C.Cullen

Countee Cullen’s possibilities for life were seen at an early age. If people did not recognize his talent in reading his works themselves, they were forced to acknowledge it by the many awards he received. He was said to write as a white person does, but I think color lines can’t be crossed when it comes to writing because they don’t exist. As he progressed in age he progressed in success. He stood in the middle of the whorlwind that would be referred to as the Harlem Renaissance, writing for popular magazines such as Crisis and once again, winning awards for many of his pieces. A power couple was created when he and W.E.B Du Bois' daughter were married, a social event that was talked about for months, but ended quickly. 

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cullen/life.htm

Never Underestimate a Woman

Beautiful, Black and accomplished, Jessie Fauset is a name that you should all know and if you don't, well shame on you! Listen here and learn a thing or two. This woman was the only, yes i said it , the only African American student to graduate from Philadelphia High school in 1900 and she did it with honors. This woman started out strong. After graduating from Cornell and being turned down by jobs because of  her race, she managed to stay strong and score a D.C. job teaching French in high school.  This ended after fourteen years when she moved on to an editing position for Crisis magazine, which was offered by W.E.B Du Bois himself. There she not only discovered some of the most affluential writers of our day, but also became one by contributing her own works to the magazine.  In the early 20's she was the editor of the Brownie's Book, an NAACP children's magazine. Don't be fooled by the press people, W.E.B Du Bois was not responsible for half of what he is said to have done with Brownie's Book, this great woman was unfortunately covered by his shadow. She's writing novels as we speak and I am sure will be writing until age disables her phalanges.


http://www.biography.com/articles/Jessie-Redmon-Fauset-9292341
http://www.afropoets.net/jessiefauset.html

The Harlem Renaissance and Jazz

It was the start of “The Roaring 20‘s” and America was ready for a change. African Americans, known for their jazz music, began coming together at this time to express their newly found freedom through their passion for music. It was a huge hit, not only in Harlem, but nation wide as well. They were able to perform at nightclubs, ballrooms, and theaters to show their love for music and their many talents. These cool blue, jazz bands were mostly made up of brass instruments. They instantly became a popular entertainment for all races, including whites. This was their chance to prove to the rest of the country that they are equal and bring just as much to America as any other race. 

Duke Ellington - It don't mean a thing (1943)

How It All Began

Harlem, New York, is known as the birth of the Harlem Renaissance. Between the streets of 135th and Fifth Ave, a new race was born. Many historians believe that it began in the year 1920 and lasted into the 1930’s. This was the time of the stock market crash which lead into the famous Great Depression. As the white middle to upper middle class moved out into the suburbs, African Americans were moving up north during the Great Migration to cities like New York. Harlem neighborhoods became filled with African American families yearning for a new beginning. They brought with them culture, music, art, religion, literature and a dream to start a new, and better life. The support system they created in Harlem, and other communities, was the holding blocks keeping them together. African Americans for the first time in America were able to search for their true identities as a free citizen.

http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/harlem-renaissance.jsp

CHANGING THE FACE OF ART

"I paint what us Negroes, colored people, us Americans know. We're a brand new race, raised and manufactured in the United States. I do like to paint what they did."

White faces are no longer the only ones we will see in paintings. Its time to recognize people for who they are. African Americans will now have, get this, black faces, thanks to Palmer Haydin. This man, having studied in Paris after winning the Harmon Foundation's Gold Award, is prestigious to say the least. If he's respected enough by the U.S  Treasury Art Project and the U.S government to work for them, he deserves respect from all.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/arts/hayden.html

http://mrdovicoenglish.wikispaces.com/Palmer+Haydin?f=print

"history cannot ignore W.E.B. DuBois because history has to reflect truth" -MLK

Every story needs a hero, W.E.B Du Bois would be just that for the Harlem Renaissance. A man of great intelligence, he realized the inequality of his own race very early on in life. He pushed through the heckling and difficulties to become a Harvard grad with a PhD in history. How appropriate that this hero be armed with an education and better yet, one that would allow him to help guide and protect his people. History, after all, repeats itself, but he was sure to stop that dead in its tracks. This hero took only the high road. He would never harm physically, but he always had his way with people through the justice system, not hesitating to send one of his fellow classmates off to jail for verbally assaulting him during a rally. This exact incident lead to the "Niagara Movement", which was meant to seize discrimination, but negative  public accusations only allotted it a short life.  Soon the NAACP would be started from many of these same men, including Du Bois,who was not totally in favor of the group. As the editor in chief for this group his opinions became well known. His hype caused the government to make such changes as inaugurating the opening of Black officer training schools, bringing forth legal action against lynchers and setting up a federal work plan for returning veterans. He promoted the skills of other African American writers, proving their worth to the world and giving role-models to all of the blacks who had previously succumbed to what society told them they were. He would go on to write two books an eventually leave the NAACP to teach at Atlanta University. Conflicts with the US government ended Du Bois' patients and caused him to renounce his citizenship and move to Ghana to live in peace.



http://www.duboislc.org/html/DuBoisBio.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/W.E.B.-Du-Bois-9279924

"I SING LIKE I FEEL IT" -E.F.

Ella Fitzgerald, another one of our African American sisters that has taken the world for everything that it's worth. She's not afraid to be black because she knows the worlds need to hear her voice. Ella had a rocky patch growing up, her parents separated, she made a big move from VA to NY and only a decade later her mother died, but that only helped to make her who she is today. Being in the big apple was the best thing she could ever wish for, even if she didn't know it at the time of the move. The Apollo Theater was built only three years before her birth and she would be one of the first black women who hit it big there. Would you believe this huge star started off by having her name pulled out of a raffle for amateur night? Originally having planned to dance and knowing she couldn't compare to the person before her, singing was her only choice. This coy reserved girl lit up when she hit the spot light  for her very first time. "Once up there, I felt the acceptance and love from my audience," Ella said. "I knew I wanted to sing before people the rest of my life."And that she did.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/ella-fitzgerald/something-to-live-for/590/

http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography.html

Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance

BLACK FACE THEATER QUICKLY FADING

Black face theater has begun to loose its following. People are beginning to notice that they are expected to be humored by the race more than play itself. We want more. We want skill from our actors, talent from our directors. Where are the writers that can change this scene around? Well I'll tell you one thing, that Miami University of Ohio Grad, Ridgley Torrence might just be the one to save theater all together. He's ready to show the world what theater should be. He's just like the rest of us white folk, mother grew up having slaves an father employs the black man now. Ridgley saw them in school and wants the world to see them for what they are now. He's saying hell with the stereotypes and in with the reality! Guess what people, negros are real and get this, they can act. I know, I know, I was shocked when I saw it too, but this man is no joke. Poet turned journalist turned playwright Ridgley will change the negro theater as we know it. I saw it myself folks. On the fifth of April 1917 sure enough  Three Plays for a Negro Theater was premiered with a cast that was that colored indeed. I hear actors were taken from wherever they could be found, including the Lafayette Players, for all of you who have not left your houses or have picked up a paper in the past decade, they are a singing orchestra.  This ladies and gentlemen has been the "single most important event in history" according to James Weldon Johnson, so get up and get out. It is not to be missed! Go see these negros playing negros and understand the greatness that they are capable of. 








http://www.bookrags.com/tandf/three-plays-for-a-negro-theater-tf/
http://www.ohiocenterforthebook.org/index.php?q=node/11&id=300