The Harlem Renaissance

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how by the end of the 19th century, Black Americans were freed from slavery, but they were not entitled to progress and equal rights in society. The paper explains that the new educated, proud and urbane African-American was in sharp contrast to the rural, ignorant and humble Negro plantation worker. These Black Americans were unwilling to give up their rights as Americans. The paper describes the Harlem Renaissance and shows how African-Americans defined their black pride and identity in a society dominated by whites. The paper demonstrates how Africa became a symbol of identification for the blacks during this period and Harlem played an important role in the development of ideas, styles, language and culture.

From the Paper:

"By the end of the 19th century, Black Americans had long been out of the shackles of slavery, but they felt that the majority white population had not accepted them as freemen, entitled to progress and compete for their place in the society. A large black elite, educated, prosperous and professionals to the core had also developed by then. Some recognized themselves to be black but there were also those who believed themselves to be "not-Negro". Famous American writer Jean Toomer, for example, did not want to be recognized as black. Toomer was reluctant to have his work incorporated in Alain Locke's book 'New Negro' and in an interview remarked that "I have not lived as [a Negro], nor do I really know whether there is any colored blood in me or not" (Jean Toomer's Washington and the Politics of Class, 2006]."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bauerlein, M, Washington, Du Bois, and the Black Future, The Wilson Quarterly. Volume: 28. Issue: 4. Autumn 2004.
• Jean Toomer's Washington and the Politics of Class: From "Blue Veins" to Seventh-Street Rebels retrieved from Internet on 20 February 2005, http://newark.rutgers.edu/~bfoley/jean_toomers_washington.html
• Jackson, C., Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture, 1978, Retrieved from Internet on 19th February 2006,
• Brotherman, Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance, Retrieved from Internet on 19th February 2006,
• Temporary Exhibitions, Retrieved from Internet on 19th February 2006, http://www.kurahulanda.com/virtual_guide/temporary.html

More papers on The Harlem Renaissance:

• Analytical Essay # 121042 : "Poets of the Harlem Renaissance"
• Analytical Essay # 133568 : "The Harlem Renaissance and the Concept of Negro Art"
• Analytical Essay # 130542 : "Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance"
• Research Paper # 103229 : "Changing Times and the Harlem Renaissance"

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