The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the United States during 1920 and 1930. It was named so because this movement began in one of the New York districts –Harlem, where African- Americans dominated. The cultural movement had significantly impacted different areas of American culture: literature, music, theater, and art. It was at this time when Afro-American culture flourished and presented truly talented and outstanding writers, poets, musicians, and artists to the world arena.
Writers such as Langston Hughes and Claude Mckay wrote powerful verses to encourage African- Americans to fight for their rights. Jean Toomer wrote great plays and stories of that time and more. Taking its roots from African culture, jazz brought new and fresh bewitching sounds and rhythms and had influenced both music and culture in America (“The Harlem Renaissance,” n.d., para.4-5).
Among many other talented people of this movement, Louis Armstrong seems to have the most lasting influence because today, he is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz artists for the unique voice and his contribution to the music industry.
The Harlem Renaissance played an important role in politics as well as in the cultural representation of African-Americans. According to Wall (2016): “It was a time when black people redefined themselves …. They responded to its [modern world] opportunities and its challenges: urbanization, technology, and the disruption of traditional social arrangements and values” (p. 3). The movement also helped to pave the way for the further struggle of the African-American population for their rights because now they emerged as educated and talented people. Thus, the movement contributed to the extinction of racial discrimination towards African- Americans later in American history.
References
Wall, C.A. (2016). The Harlem Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
The Harlem Renaissance. (n.d.) Web.