Friday, December 10, 2010
The Harlem Renaissance
Women were not the only ones who strive for change and greater equality - African Americans begin to assert their rights more openly. As with much change, however, there are reactions. Check out Tulsa in 1921, for example, and the move for Black Nationalism led by Marcus Garvey. But he's not the only figure to look at. There are also many cultural figures that have had a permanent impact on America's social and cultural landscape. Who are these people? How do you feel having African Americans contribute more openly to the broader culture, as they have always done, but now more openly and assertively? (21.4)
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And hello again all,
ReplyDeleteYou know, I’m glad to say that I’ve been reading a lot of poetry now a days, mainly written by oppressed African Americans. They’re poetry is so strong and powerful. After all of the race riots down in Oklahoma, the nergos where almost whipped out. Those who lived there has good lives and prosperity, it’s unjust that their skin colour determines their rights. Not though, they’re beginning to assert themselves more, and I’m pleased to hear that. Marcus Garvey, a black man from Jamaica, promoted Black Nationalism and the re-colonization of African American’s. I fully support this reform, as it is much needed. Artistic expression is now a huge way to let others know how you feel, so I’ve taken up painting with hope to also express myself. We call this era of cultural achievement, the Harlem Renaissance and for many, this is the greatest era that has come about.
Shanice Hird
ReplyDeleteDear Blog,
For many years African Americans have been treated horribly and with no respect. They have been hiding their feelings along with the talents that they posses in abundance. As an African American I think it is outstanding that we are no longer hiding the way that we feel towards certain treatments that we receive. We are humans just like any other individual and we deserve to be treated with the same respect that others that aren’t of our race get. Recently the community of Tulsa was wiped out, why? Because of the fear of black individuals succeeding and having the chance to do what they couldn’t before and that was wrong in every way possible. The community was wealthy and powerful and because of hatred it was ruined and that is unfair to us. But despite the despicable looks and the fights that are put up against us we will continue to assert ourselves with dignity and pride. I would also Love to give props to the incredible Marcus Mosiah Garvey for promoting Black Nationalism and creating the UNIA. He is a Strong black man and I respect for that. African American just needs to keep their heads up and continue to strive for excellence.
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteThis decade has been like no other decade in American history. One of the biggest changes this decade has been the role of African Americans in American culture. Being a resident of New York City, I have got to see first hand the great impact that African Americans have on American society. The best place to see this would be in Harlem. Harlem is a great place to be. There is always something to do and someplace to go and when we are here, race does not matter. I believe that African Americans being more openly assertive in their position in society is a great thing for this country. The more they fight for equality, the greater our nation will be. Of course this will not happen overnight but one day, I hope we can all live together and not judge someone on their skin our their religion, but as an individual.
Alex
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteI ain't got one lick of musical talent in me. I don't know how to play no dang instruments. But I do love me some good ole' jazz. The Africans during the Harlem Renaissance are doing music somethin' good. I am no racist to begin with, and see African Americans as an equal people. This fella' by the name of Edward Kennedy Ellington is takin' the world of jazz by storm. He is best known as Duke Ellington and he can play a mean piano. He is bringin' music back and giving it more life! He ain't the only here fella' contributing to jazz. The other goes by the name of Louis Armstrong. And boy, did he know how to play a trumpet. I was fortunate enough to see one of his shows in Harlem, New York in 1922.
Jakey Cakes
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteLately, there have been a lot of African Americans migrating to the north. My husband came home one night and said that some people at his work were in danger of losing their jobs, because so many African Americans were in search of new jobs. Supposedly, they moved here because they were tired of the racial discrimination that took place in the south. I don't think its right the way the people in the south treat the African Americans but I'm not sure how I feel about them migrating to the north and taking all of our jobs. An African American named Marcus Garvey thought that African Americans should build a separate society. About a week ago I was told that he founded a nationalist group called the Universal Negro Improvement Association. He preached that African Americans needed an independent nation. It's sad but not surprising that this is what racism has come to. African Americans needing a separate nation to live but maybe its for the best.
(Pierre Youssef)
ReplyDeleteDear Blog,
This is Darryl Black. As an African American myself, I am proud to see other African Americans sticking up for themselves. Change is coming I can assure you that. There are many people that I look up to. People who are trying to bring that change, and make it occur faster. People like Marcus Garvey, who are for the move for Black Nationalism. People who are leading the movement. I am feeling more powerful, and free seeing more African Americans having the freedom to contribute to society. Even though, I am not close to being poor, I feel as if this will make the United States have a better economy, and make it more open to the public. I am finally proud to say, that I live in America.
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteAfrican Americans are beginning to contribute to this culture much more assertively. Being a mother of 3, I personally believe that fairness and equality are two significant morals that everyone should acquire. Many important cultural figures of this time are Marcus Garvey, Jacob Lawrence who is an amazing painter, Langston Hughes who is a poet and openly expresses his feelings through his poems, and Louis Armstrong who has brought about the emergence of Jazz music. I feel that this world is becoming much fairer as African Americans are contributing more and more. Before, African Americans were scared, weak, and sad. Now, African Americans are confident and much ore aggressive which i respect a lot. They have finally found their voices and i think this is the end of society as we know it, and the start of society as it should be.
Hey y'all,
ReplyDeleteWell I just wanted to share a very nice story about what happened to me today. I was walking along the street, mindin' my own business when I see some young white folk harassing a black boy who's also just mindin' his business too. Anyways, the young white boys were saying all sorts of mean things to him when I walked up to them, and told them to run off. The kind black child thanked me and asked if I could help him carry his book-bag home.
As I stepped into the young black boy's neighborhood, it was like being introduced to a whole new culture. Everything was different in this child's neighborhood, from the smells of food coming out of the apartment windows, to the sound of jazz flowing into my ears. I was immediately at ease, and loved this new culture. I know knew I was in Harlem.
I've decided I'm going to start embracing more of the black culture in my everyday life, from listening to more jazz music, to making more black friends. I just wanted to stay how happy I am that I've found a new culture to appreciate in life.
-David G.
Dear blog,
ReplyDeleteFinally someone founded a separate society that benefits African Americans, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Now they have offices in New York City. I heard over 500,000 African Americans were mobilized by Marcus Garvey, the founder of the UNIA, to parade and show pride. I think it was a good idea because they should be treated with respect and they are not bad people. I heard Harlem, New York has the largest African American urban community in the world. Even though there was overcrowding, unemployment and poverty the city was able to get up and create a huge literary and artistic movement to celebrate their black heritage. I think that is exactly what they needed for them. African Americans seem to have more pride in their heritage than Americans do! Or at least they remain united. I have been reading novels by Zora Neale Hurston, a black woman writer, and her work is amazing! I enjoyed reading her book, Their Eyes Were Watching God; it was truly her best novel yet! Bessie Smith is also my favorite blues singer. She has an incredible voice and I heard she would make big bucks. I think the Harlem Renaissance was the best thing to happen to this country, now we have more great music not only by white artists.
Katie- I agree with you. It is not fair for black to be ridiculed like that. I just cannot believe these white crazy people. I mean it is not all white people, but the ones that are truly take it heart. I love music by black artists because I feel they have more meaning to it. They have amazing voices and I just like to dance to their catchy music. I also have a lot of respect for Mr. Garvey, who is really promoting and showing black nationalism. It is great that someone like that is the voice of the black community.
ReplyDeleteDear Blog,
ReplyDeleteI am all for the contribution of African Americans in society. Recently I just finished Their Eyes Were Watching G-d written by Zora Neale Hurston, and it was a great book. I think it is a great time for African Americans to voice their opinions because we are in the decade where we are stretching the limits and coming up with our own conclusions and no one should be excluded from that. I live in New York, and I know the place in New York where all African Americans feel like themselves and hide nothing, and that place is Harlem. Harlem has inspired many of the authors I am interested in like Hurston and Langston Hughes. Although I believe we all have equal rights, many do not share the same views as me, but I hope soon we will all be able to live in peace and forget about all the trouble and conflicts we had in the past.
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteMany changes are occuring during this decade, the most oustanding change would have to be the role that African Americans are starting to play in society. Harlem is the best place to see these kind of contributions by the African Americans. I feel that by fighting for equality in society is ultimately going to make the nation much stronger as a whole. Some whites are complaining about how they believe the Blacks are intruding on our society and taking their jobs but I believe these changes are nothing but productive.
-Phil
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to say that America is finally coming to their senses allowing everybody to contribute to society. Along with women, African-American's have been longing for this day to arrive. The day where they are considered members of society. However, we still have a ways to go. The southern states are still nowhere near where Harlem is at when it comes to African-American freedom. I have never been down south but the rise of organizations such as the KKK are making noise all the way up here. The things they are doing are horrific, but they cannot be stopped as the police forces are turning a blind eye to the matter. I wish I could just put an end to all that nonsense. As for now I must just compensate with what we have here up north, and hopefully it will spread south. I believe that we can only keep improving as a whole and learn from our previous mistakes.
Jake Chapin
Dear Blog,
ReplyDeleteWith women’s rights emerging during this time many people expected for the striving of African-American rights. African-American’s ended up getting rights during this time and I personally thought it was a good idea for the progress of the United States. African-Americans strived for rights through art and poetry. My favorite poet of the time, Langston Hughes, was an African-American poet. He wrote inspirational poems for the rights of African-Americans. This Era lead by Marcus Garvey, a black man who promoted Black Nationalism, was called the Harlem Renaissance. It was a stepping-stone to equality in the United States and I approve of this because I hope someday everyone can work together for equality in the U.S.