Roaring 20s - Harlem Renaissance
Aim:How Did the Harlem Renaissance Impact American Culture and African Americans?
Do Now: In your notebooks, Define the term "Renaissance"
Lesson Overview:
| Item | Approx Time |
| Do Now | 3-5 Min |
| Mini Lesson | 15-20 Min |
| Activity | 15 Min |
| Discussion | 5-7 Min |
Harlem Renaissance
In 1904 several middle-class African American families moved away from the decaying conditions of Black Bohemia of midtown into the newly-built suburb of Harlem. This initiated a move north of educated African Americans and a foothold into Harlem. In 1910 a large block along 135th and Fifth Ave was bought up by various African American realtors and a church group. These purchases caused a "white flight" and lowered real estate prices.
As World War I approached, a shortage of labor ensued at the generous supply of European unskilled labor ceased to flow into New York City. From the southern states came vast numbers of African Americans attracted not only by the prospect of paid labor but an escape from the inherent inequities and blatant institutional racism of the South. There were various patrons of the arts, both black and white, including the very wealthy A'Lelia Walker who ran an influential salon, the Dark Tower from her home, Countee Cullen (the Romantic poet), Nora Thurston Zeale (anthropologist), Langston Hughes (playwright and poet) Three main political figures kept the hopes of freedom for African Americans alive and made Harlem a political hotbed of activities. The three figures were the pious, integrationalist W.E.B. Dubois, the James Weldon Johnston and finally the charismatic Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey.
1935 marks the end of the era known as the Harlem Renaissance. It was mostly the result of Depression economics, but also in part due to the premature death of the patron A'Lelia Walker in 1934, Countee Cullen.
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington has been considered as one of the world’s greatest composers and musicians. He played for the royalty and for the common people and he has been awarded several times with great honor. Duke was a person known by everyone in the United States, he had played in many states and later he performed all around the world.
People love to listen to his music. Ellington was a charmer, “a sweet man with a sweet tooth”, who wrote sweet music. Duke was an absolute gentleman, a very pleasant, likeable person and not at all imposing. All these characteristics made him a wonderful person with excellent values. For Duke, being Negro was not a problem, his music made the world one whole group, with any racial problem at all. I can say that maybe he used music as an instrument of unification between black and white people. He was a great musician and he traveled all around the world with his magical band. He was the Duke!
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey was the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement and Conservation Association and African Communities League (UNIA). He also worked for the freedom of blacks by beginning black businesses, spreading the UNIA around the globe, starting the Black Star Shipping Line and many other movements towards black freedom. He had thousands of followers of whom he encouraged to emigrate to Africa. He created brilliant titles and costumes for the leaders of his movement. “Garveyism” spread quickly and gave hope to many blacks around the world. Even though his movement had difficulties, Marcus Garvey came to represent hope and freedom for all blacks around the world.
Paul Leroy Robeson
An athlete, singer, actor, and an advocate for civil rights sounds like the perfect life, right? Paul Leroy Robeson was this and more, but he also had his share of troubles. He was born on April 9, 1898. His father was a former slave who eventually earned a degree at Lincoln University. Robeson attended Rutgers University where he won fifteen varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and track. He was also named to the All-American Football team twice. Robeson was even Valedictorian of his class. Racism was a major part of Robeson’s life, and unfortunately many of his teammates showed violence and racism toward him. Robeson had to learn, like Langston Hughes, how to make a life of his own. Robeson was an advocate for the civil rights of his fellow African Americans. He spoke at conferences and rallies around the world. Because of Robeson’s ability to speak freely, he was accused of being communist. The U.S revoked Robeson’s passport because of this accusation. It almost ended his career. At the age of 77, Robeson passed away. All his life Robeson said what other’s wish they could have said, so he had many supporters for his cause. Paul Leroy Robeson is remembered as “a man of fierce dignity striving against immense adversity.”
The Cotton Club
During the 1930’s the Cotton Club was the local hang out for celebrities and gangsters. The club’s owner at the time, “Owey” Madden, was the leader of the notorious Gopher Gang. Stars like Duke Ellington , Cab Calloway, and Lena Home would draw the wealthiest and most well known crowds of the time. “The Cotton Club turned into the hottest club in Harlem, and eventually the world”. Today, the Cotton Club continues to draw crowds from around the world. The Cotton Club can turn a drab evening into an evening of thrill and excitement. The Cotton Club offers food, entertainment and service. One can enjoy Blues, Jazz, or a Sunday Gospel performance while sampling the authentic southern cuisine. The menu includes Fried chicken, Meatloaf, Rice Pilaf, Creole tomatoes, Potato salad, and Southern beet salad. As well as providing food and entertainment the club does offer a number of services such as, catering, swing night, a private room for special occasions and a gift shop. Because of its significance in the Black Renaissance, this very famous club continues to attract many different people.
The Apollo
The Apollo Theater was built in 1913 and was originally called Hurtig & Seamon's New Theater (Metro). It opened the following year as “whites only theater”. In 1935, it began presenting variety shows featuring leading African American entertainers, like Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Aretha Franklin, to largely black audiences. The Apollo was a major center in the Harlem community until the 1970’s, when it had fallen on hard times, and no longer presented live music. Into the 1990’s, the management made a comeback with big-name comedy and music performances, as well adding a ubiquitous amateur night. Through all the years and hard times, the Apollo has still stood alone as the soul of the Harlem musical tradition.
W.E.B. Dubois
W.E.B. Dubois was an author and a teacher during the earlier parts of the twentieth century. He played a big role in helping found the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He received two major awards in his lifetime, one in 1952 when he was a recipient of the World Peace Council Prize, and another in 1959 when he received the Soviet Lenin Peace Prize. In 1961 DuBois became a member of the communist party and he also became a citizen of Ghana in the same year. In Ghana he served as a director of the Encyclopedia Africana which was another one of his great achievements. DuBois was a great author and one of the great people of his time.
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston was born in Florida in 1903. She attended Howard University. Alain Locke, a fellow student at Howard, influenced her to go to New York and become a writer. A friend of Alain Locke, Charlotte Osgood Mason, helped Hurston financially, but Hurston grew tired of the constraints Mason put on her writing. Zora Neale Hurston, did more than just write novels, she was also a great folklorist. She traveled all over the southern states gathering folklore from the African Americans in the south. During the Harlem Renaissance Hurston collaborated with Langston Hughes on many projects. Zora Hurton was accused of having an affair with a young boy. She was found not guilty, but this incident ruined her writing career. Zora Neale Hurston died a poor women in a Florida nursing home.
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith is known as "Empress of the Blues" for her immersion into every style and storyline of blues imaginable. She performed vaudeville in the 1910s, but was signed to a contract with Columbia Records upon arriving in New York City, and became an instant star. She focused on the Blues with her celebrated deep voice, becoming one of the highest-paid African-American entertainers of the 1920s. One of her biggest hits, "St. Louis Blues," was recorded with famed musician Louis Armstrong.
Classwork & Homework
Lesson PowerPoint: Harlem Renaissance
Lesson Activity: None
Homework: None