The Harlem Renaissance

1. The Harlem Renaissance By Rose Good and Dana Newswanger Bk. 4

2. What was the Harlem Renaissance? • It was a movement that marked the first time publishers and critics took African American literature and art seriously, as well as the first time African Americans showed true interest in learning and sharing their heritage.

3. Major Players in the Renaissance • W.E.B. Du Bois: Was a black historian and sociologist who was passionate about black rights. • Marcus Garvy: His book “Back To Africa” inspired racial pride among blacks. • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): An organization founded in 1909 to advance the rights of blacks

4. Major factors that influenced the Renaissance • A large number of African Americans moved from the rural south to the roaring industrial cities of the north. • A black middle class developed from increased education and employment opportunities. • The African Americans brought new ideas and an interesting perspective to art and literature for the whole nation.

5. How did education influence the Renaissance • Since more intellectuals gathered to discuss ideas, they motivated each other and became more passionate about their heritage. • Celebrations were held in honor of new and upcoming African American writers and artists. • Articles were put in local magazines to highlight new talent that the public had not been introduced to before. • New York publishers took the African American writers seriously and began to publish their works.

6. What took place during the “movement” • Racial equality. For once White Americans realized that they weren’t superior and other cultures could bring a new angle to literature and art. • New styles of expression were discovered. • African American history was better understood and accepted.

7. Famous Artists • Aaron Douglas: Jazz music and folk traditions influenced Douglas’s style of African American art. Contributions from his many supporters helped the movement continue and grow. • William H. Johnson: used simple geometric forms and brilliant colors to understate the harshness and beauty of everyday Harlem. • Lois Mailou Jones: depicted African and African American themes in her paintings.

8. William H. Johnson • “If it is to be, it is up to me.” • “Going to Church”, “Café”, and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” are some of his works.

9. Lois Mailou Jones     "Mine is a quiet explorations quest for new meanings in color, texture and design. Even though I sometimes portray scenes of poor and struggling people, it is a great joy to paint.“

10. Examples of art from the Renaissance

11. Famous Musicians • Bessie Smith: earned the title of “Empress of Blues” through her forcefully vocal deliveries and definite grasp of jazz. • Jelly Roll Morton: known as one of the first composers and piano players of jazz. His character and spirit shined through his music. • Duke Ellington: considered one of the most familiar African American celebrities in composing and band leading.

12. Bessie Smith In the words of biographer Chris Albertson, “Bessie had a wonderful way of turning adversity into triumph, and many of her songs are the tales of liberated women.” • Some of Smiths greatest hits were “Backwater Blues,” “Taint Nobody’s Bizness If I Do,” “St. Louis Blues” , and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out. “

13. Jelly Roll Morton Morton was “just about the most flamboyant, colorful and exasperating personality imaginable.” • One of the many groups Morton recorded with was the Red Hot Peppers

14. Duke Ellington "My men and my race are the inspiration of my work. I try to catch the character and mood and feeling of my people". • "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing", "Sophisticated Lady", "Mood Indigo", “Solitude", "In a Mellotone", and "Satin Doll“, were some of his best known songs

15. Examples of Music from the Renaissance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKn-QVQzISo

16. Major Theatre Contributors • Florence Mills: also known as “the Queen of Jazz” acted with a new and fresh style. • Ethel Waters: an innovative actress who opened many theatrical doors which had been previously closed to black performers.

17. Florence Mills “She was an intelligent woman with a warm, open heart, and even at the height of her fame showed a remarkable lack of affectation.” • Her breakthrough role was “Shuffle Away”

18. Ethel Waters “I have no acting technique I act instinctively. That's why I can't play any role that isn't based on something in my life.”

19. Examples of Theatre

20. How African American lives were changed • higher education • their literature and art was accepted • their opinions were not dismissed, they were looked upon with respect • black rights increased

21. Why did the Harlem Renaissance fade? • The Great Depression- people began to pay more attention about economic and social issues • Many influential writers and literary promoters moved. • As new young artists appeared in the 1930’s and 40’s they didn’t associate with the movement.

22. Work Cited • http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21232 • http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/harlem-renaissance.html • http://www.askart.com/AskART/interest/black_american_artists_1.aspx?id=33 • http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/ethel_waters.html • http://www.dukeellington.com/aboutduke.html • hhttp://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566483/harlem_renaissance.html • http://www.english.illinois.edu/Maps/poets/a_f/cullen/life.htm • ttp://www.42explore2.com/harlem.htm • http://images.google.com/imghp?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hl=en&tab=wi • http://www.jazzateria.com/roots/ewaters.html • http://www.octobergallery.com/artists/jones.htm • http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/bessie-smith • http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/jelly-roll-morton