1. HARLEM RENAISSANCE (Early 1920s-Early 1930s)

2. The Great Migration and the end of WWI contributed to the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance Renaissance means “rebirth,” but HR was the first opportunity AAs had to give birth to and celebrate the uniqueness of AA culture Conservative AAs wanted the literature to uplift the reader Radical, younger AAs wanted the literature to show a realistic view of our life

3. Bulk of AA influence = “Talented 10th” (physicians, dentists, educators, preachers, business people, lawyers and morticians) In 1917 about 2,132 AAs were in colleges (approx.. 50 of whom attended white universities) Jean Toomer had experienced a lot and began to share with other writers while still others returned to the South to see the problems for themselves

4. Music was so much a part of our lives that whites had to accept some of us (Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway) Some work was influenced by white artists and writers (Bohemians and Revolutionaries who were fascinated with the life of AAs Very little fiction and poetry was produced by AAs prior to HHR (esp.. with death of Paul L. Dunbar)

5. If the belief was true that the “everyday man” (poor workers) was dehumanized and caused to appear stupid, then the thought was what of the black man who in most cases was not part of the “everyday man?” How did he feel? - For the Blacks - the art was a means to change society in order to be accepted into it - For the Whites - the art was a means to change society before they would accept it Difference between the Whites who supported the Black movement and the Blacks themselves:

6. New Negro Arts Movement led to NAACP and NUL and their respective publications (The Crisis and Opportunity) Whites began to flock to dramas by Blacks and blacks saw this as a way to begin to mainstream their work Literary works and drama showed the plight of Blacks

7. HR also due to economic gains of AAs Civil rights leaders believed they could use all this attention to succeed in revamping our image and began to repackage the message sent out about Blacks HR was during the time of the Civil Rights Movement, NUL and NAACP - a period of time of interracial collaboration

8. Harlem (known as the “Negro Capital of the World”) grew with all kinds of people (bootleggers, racketeers, politicians, religious leaders, cults, beauticians, to hardworking families) wanting a better life for themselves and their children Not everything was “renaissance:” - The Black church was denigrated - Intellectual vs.. emotional - The Blues - Funky artists (not accepted, so they shut down one Black owned company)