The “New Negro”

1. The “New Negro” Charlotte Manzone

2. Introduction The Roaring Twenties Throughout the 1920s , the country underwent a period of cultural divisions that stirred Americans. There was a tension between tradition and modernity, which shaped much of the historical time frame of the period. Most African Americans were coming back from Europe after the Great War whilst others had migrated to the Northern Cities during the Great Migration. African Americans did not gain the democracy they fought for in the war. However, they carried a new sense of racial pride and cultural prosperity in their newly capital – Harlem, New York. “The 1920's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other” What led to these tensions between old and new? In what ways was the tension manifested?

3. Before WWI • Blacks were eager to join the war in order to make the world safe for democracy • Great Migration: migration of Southern blacks to the urban North • Need of African Americans in factories using new mass production • Population rise in Chicago, New Yorkand Philadelphia

4. After WWI The postwar reaction brought many blacks into despair • Cruelty from the Ku Klux Klan • Suffered from the postwar middle class hostility to labor • Persistent unwillingness in admitting black workers in organized labor The increasing population of blacks in Northern cities caused conflict • Black population in NY doubled • Riots formed • Ghettos formed

5. “Middletown” • Written by Robert S. Lynd & Helen Merrell Lynd • Sociological case studies on African American culture in Indiana • Observations: • All public places were segregated for children • Discrimination for use of certain facilities • Newspaper was segregated for the 5% black population, “In Colored Circles”

6. W.E.B Du Bois • Disappointed of the militancy created towards blacks in the 1920s • The Crisis, official magazine for NAACP founded by Du Bois and others • Increased his commitment for black nationalism • Organized a series of Pan African Conferences • created an international black movement • never made up his mind whether to work for integration or black separatism • Rejected Garvey’s message

7. Marcus Garvey • Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association • Attracted thousands of followers • Did not focus of integration of color • “Back to Africa” - the black man must “work out his salvation in his motherland” (motto) • Black Star Line Steamship Company: to transport blacks back to Africa • Organized many businesses for blacks • Gained support from the Ku Klux Klan and other white racists

8. Served to build racial pride • Aimed for: poor & unschooled blacks • Believed God and Christ were colored • Speech • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC9QhxF_kL4 Garvey’s Message proudto be black & prepared to resist both mistreatment and white ideas ...helped form the “New Negro”

9. New Negro The ghettos in Northern cities produced advantages for blacks • Increase in political power • Enabling them to elect representatives to state legislatures & Congress • Exert considerable influence in closely contested elections • Offered economic opportunity, political rights, and freedom • Allowed blacks to act freely • Away from the debasements of the South

10. RECAP: Old Negro Vs.New Negro Old Negro • Mistreated Southern blacks • No political rights or equality New Negro • Located in Northern cities • Promotion of… • Renewed sense of racial pride • Cultural self-expression • Economic independence • Progressive politics The New Negro is also referred to the Harlem Renaissance - forging a new cultural identity among African American people

11. Harlem Renaissance A modern artistic and literacy movement that celebrated African American life and culture in early 20th Century in Harlem, New York Harlem was the largest black community in the world & became the cultural capital

12. Introduction to Jazz • Popular music of the age • Originated in New Orleans • Became popular in New York after the Great Migration • Spread throughout the country and became a global phenomenon • Jazz was seen as improvisation: expression of freedom • Desire of many people to break from tradition and throw off conventional restraints • Whites musicians & white audiences took it up • Racial tolerance and understanding

13. Louis Armstrong was the most famous Jazz performer in New York • Played in the evolution of Jazz • Clubs became increasingly popular due to the prohibition of alcohol • Illegal drinking • New form of entertainment • Cotton Club • Form of entertainment for whites • Performed by blacks • Segregated • Savoy Ballroom • First racial integration • Home of “Happy Feet”; most popular dance club in Harlem • Apollo • Originally for burlesque • Switched to black entertainment Most popular clubs in Harlem

14. Black newspapers & magazines flourished along with theatrical companies • Du Bois, The Crisis • Langston Hughes, poet • “Harlem! I… dropped my bags, took a deep breath, and felt happy again.” • Zora Neale Hurston joined with Hughes to create literacy magazine and celebrated the lives of ordinary black workers • Most blacks were hopeful even with the continuous white prejudice

15. Sociologists and psychologists confirmed that environment rather than hereditary was preventing blacks from economic growth • Eventual disappearance of white prejudice • Alain Locke, The New Negro • Anthology of fiction, poetry, and essays on African American art and literature • Example of the creative efforts coming out of the burgeoning New Negro Movement

16. Conclusion The Roaring Twenties Although African Americans still faced white prejudice, they were no longer seen as the Southern slaves. The idea of the “New Negro” portrayed through Garvey’s ideals promoted racial pride, economic stability and political rights. Also, the Great Migration allowed a great concentration of black population in Harlem, New York where the Harlem Renaissance took place. This movement allowed black self-expression through the arts. Whilst black literacy and theaters flourished. Jazz played an important role as a source of entertainment and freedom of expression enjoyed by both races. Overall, the 1920s was a time of celebration for African Americans as they roam freely in the streets of New York with a new sense of identity. “The 1920's were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other” What led to these tensions between old and new? In what ways was the tension manifested?

17. YouTube Video More about the introduction of jazzin the 20s & Harlem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brBB09K35Co