Images of Harlem Renaissance

Famous People of the Harlem Renaissance

Langston Hughes(poet)

Louis Armstrong(musician)

Zora Neal Hurston(author)

Some others include Billie Holiday (singer), Wallace Thurman (writer), Billy Robinson (dancer), Aaron Douglas (artist), Lois Jones (artist),

Jacob Lawrence (artist), Duke Ellington (singer)

Historical Background ofHarlem Renaissance

In the early 19th century, many African Americans moved from their residences in the South, to more industrial, urban areas in the north. One of the factors

contributing to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the great migration of African-Americans to northern cities (such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.) between 1919 and 1926. This was known as the Great

Migration, when African Americans relocated to such areas in order to seek out jobs, and overall, better ways of life. The Great Migration helped to spark a

cultural renewal for these people in New York City. Black musicians, writers, actors, and artists all reflected this renewal of culture, and celebrated it through their many works. Names such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Langston Hughes, helped shape both a new African American culture and identity. This

movement became known as the Harlem Renaissance, not only became an important part of African American history, but also in the history of the United

States.

http://historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com/index.html

Meet the Poet

Langston Hughes

NAME: James Mercer Langston Hughes

OCCUPATION: Playwright, Poet

BIRTH DATE: February 01, 1902

DEATH DATE: May 22, 1967

EDUCATION: Columbia University, Lincoln University

I, Too by Langston Hughes 1924 (he was 22 years old)

I, too, sing America [An allusion to Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” published in 1867 in Leaves of Grass. Here Hughes means that blacks are Americans too, not just whites.]

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes.

But I laugh,

And grow strong.

[This poem is about segregation and how eventually it will come to an end.]

[The implied meaning here is that they are waiting now but will grow stronger as time passes.]

Tomorrow,

I’ll sit at the table

When company comes.

[The use of "I" helps showing the African American community will soon rise and be one with the rest of America.]

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

[This shows what the future will be like, or as Hughes uses the metaphorical "tomorrow." The use of "I" helps show that the African American community will soon rise and be one with the rest of America.]

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed –

I, too, am America.

[Here Hughes says that once African American's are recognized as equal, everyone will see they are not bad and that they are beautiful as well as part of America.]

Summarizer

3-2-1

3 famous people during the Harlem Renaissance

2 themes or issues from time period

1 concept you’d like to explore more

Comparison

“I Hear America Singing” “Let America Be America Again”-Civil War-imagery-American Dream-North (New Jersey)-Symbolism (America/Unification)-songs (emotions)-rebuild after the war-America WILL prevail (post war)

-Harlem Renaissance (Civil Rights)-imagery-American Dream (find the dream that is lost)-North (Harlem, NY)-Symbolism (American Dream)-songs (emotions)-rebuild the Dream of America-America WILL prevail (Civil Rights)

-white author-different songs, same goal (unity)-people work together-dream of unity (filled)-North-career path chosen by self-enjoyed laborTheme –Joyful, happy, encouraging

-black authorno equality YET-dream of unity (unfilled)-alone (Langston Hughes) or against others-South (origin of slavery)-minorities were picked on (AA, Indians)-forced labor (slavery)Theme- bitter, distasteful