Essay On The Harlem Renaissance

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The Harlem Renaissance is described as “an African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.” (The Harlem Renaissance 1). It was a time of African American creativity in literature, music, dance, and art. The era is also known as the New Negro Movement or the Negro Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance arose toward the end of World War I and faded once the Great Depression hit. In this time period, African Americans had the chance to fully express themselves through various forms of art. Accomplished artists such as composer J. Rosamond Johnson and songwriter Bob Cole contributed a lot in the art of music during this time. New forms of music came about in the Harlem…show more content…
The Crisis Magazine helped blacks have their literature published for the people to read. “As African American journals such as W.E.B. Du Bois’s Crisis and Opportunity, edited by Charles S. Johnson, began to flourish, it became possible for African American writers to publish in a style that suited their tastes.” (The Harlem Renaissance Gale Group 1). It was a great key to get their work recognized. People were beginning to see how much the black community can contribute. It’s obvious that they brought a lot to the table. For example, Jazz music was extremely popular in that time period and it is still listened to by millions of people today. African Americans gained a sense of pride during the Harlem Renaissance. For a long time, blacks were very limited. During the Harlem Renaissance they gained a sense of freedom by being allowed to voice themselves through creativity. The Harlem Renaissance influenced a sense of liberation. Blacks broke their barriers and let their creativity shine. For many years, African Americans were always told that they couldn’t. This era proved that they can overcome the odds. It inspired other blacks to use their creativity and not care what others think. African Americans acquired much more respect than they had before. They are looked up to for contributing so much during this time
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