The Harlem Renaissance

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“ The New Negro has arrived with stiffened back bone, dauntless manhood, defiant eye, steady hand and a will of iron.” This quote by writer W.A. Domingo sums up the consciousness of the cultural, social, artistic and literary explosion in Harlem, New York during the 1920s, known as the Harlem Renaissance. A movement made, lead and embraced by African-Americans in the midst of rapid, progressive changes in the United States. This period sought to give a new perspective on the life of American’s most neglected groups, from black writers, visuals artist to poets and musicians, the birth of a new black identity. The Harlem Renaissance is a period that reflects black traditions, voices, and ways of life through the celebrated talent across a diverse …show more content…
This movement focused on uplifting the Black Americans through the arts, and develop a sense of connection with the Negro capital of the world, known as Harlem. These artists and intellectuals of the Harlem Renaissance felt the need to affirm their identity in the world of poverty and racial bigotry. For example, 1927 was the year that saw painter Aaron Douglas and poet James Weldon Johnson collaborate on a series of poems and illustrations that emphasize the black people in biblical history. The God’s Trombones marks a high point in this cultural movement, as it was very well received, and Johnson and Douglas both received awards for this piece in 1928 from the philanthropic Harmon Foundation. Douglass’ work in God's Trombones demonstrates his efforts in these directions: he subtly emphasizes black people’s role in Biblical history, both drawing attention to and redressing the traditional omission of them from these narratives. With Douglass’ distinctive style and Johnson’s elegant, poetic techniques, this multimedia work uses traditional poetry and innovative visual representations to embrace blackness in its many …show more content…
The Renaissance remains an important note in black history due to the fact that it allowed them to control their own narrative, a new sense of pride and eventually laying groundwork for African-American uprising movements. By the time, the movement was over; Black Americans had a new identity that fuses their rich heritage and unique voice. The Harlem Renaissance’s impact on black history is still felt today as many of artists of that period are icons in the fight for equality in America and ultimately leaving a long-lasting imprint on African-American values. The Harlem Renaissance illustrates the remarkable yet the distinct voice of the Black American experience and because of this, black history has never been the same. Therefore, the Harlem Renaissance is and will always be a period that shows the true strength of the African-American spirit, they have collectively embraced their struggles and somehow turn it into a high form of artistic expression in a time when they faced the constant stinging of
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