Harlem Renaissance Movement Definition: Greatest (and first) period of literary and cultural achievement by African-Americans in this country. The vast majority of blacks were slaves before this Also called: the Roaring 20’s, the Jazz Age Renaissance means “re-birth” Harlem is a city in New York Lasted from about 1920-1935 Group of authors, musicians, and artists from the 1920’s including: Langston Hughes ,Eubie Blake, James Weldon Johnson , Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington

Before the Renaissance It was illegal to teach a slave to read & write, helped keep them inferior The Great Migration up to the northern cities Blacks were not allowed to vote in the Southern states (Literacy Test), lynching happened by the KKK in the south

1920’s-Prejudice and Close-mindedness Prohibition (“The Noble Experiment”: Ban of alcohol (prohibit of sale) Easier to get illegal booze in Harlem where these artists were performing Bathtub Jim-not illegal to drink, just to sell Exposed white public to black culture It was considered risque to show an ankle during the 20’s. Some women wore skirts that went just below the knee-known as Flappers

About the author: Zora Neale Hurston: Born in Eatonville Florida on January 7, 1903 and Died on January 28, 1960 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Overcame childhood diversity Was forced to leave school at the age of thirteen to take care of younger siblings Eventually attended Howard University Received a degree in anthropology from Bernard University. She also did graduate work in anthropology at Columbia University. She tried her hand at being a librarian, maid, actress, college professor, and writer.

Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered her strongest work. Controversial – critics would express concern that she glosses over black oppression and focuses on the woman or the individual instead Celebration of black language and cultural heritage

Hurston died in poverty sold her typewriter to a pawnbroker who believed that it was too nice to be owned by a maid Alice Walker, who wrote The Color Purple, arranged for a gravestone to mark the general area of Hurston’s grave.

Their Eyes Were Watching God (TEWWG) About Janie Crawford Southern black woman 1930s This book is her journey from being a free-spirited girl to a woman of independence and substance.

African-American culture and heritage Black folk traditions African-American culture and heritage Story telling Porch sitting Struggles of women in this culture Abuse Lack of rights Viewed as property Dialect (written the way people talk)

Other Topics/Themes Identity Womanhood Perseverance, Endurance Empowerment Loneliness Metamorphosis Search for Happiness Betrayal Marriage Pursuit of Security Search for Independence Search for Identity Disillusionment