Harlem Renaissance

English

The Fringes of America 2

After generations of cruel slavery, and a short time of albeit limited freedom, African Americans began to gain respect and popularity in the 1920's due to the Harlem Renaissance. During this period, all of the African arts gained appreciation from both the white man and other African Americans as well. It may have taken a nearly 300 years, but Africans had finally had a impact on the culture of America and were no longer treated as a resource.

Before the Renaissance began, African Americans were treated as a lower life form in America. They were segregated into their own towns and were looked down upon by the people who simply had lighter skin. Zora Hurston describes this earlier life in her hometown Eatonville, Florida, "During this period, white people differed from colored to me only in that they rode through town and never lived there. They liked to hear me "speak pieces" and sing and wanted to see me dance the parse-me-la, and gave me generously of their small silver for doing these things..." Even though they were treated poorly by the country and were second rate citizens, there was no struggle, as the African Americans were simply glad that it wasn't a century ago when they were treated as animals. Yet there was still a need for a revolutionary change, and the change was brewing in borough of Manhattan in the neighborhood of Harlem.

The cause of the Renaissance is largely part due to the birth of a middle class African American group after the Civil War. Because of constant racism and lack of well paying jobs in the south, the African Americans went to the North of the country. Because of this build up of a united people and an improved economy, Africans began to devote time to the arts. Literature began to spread throughout the nation, jazz started to gain popularity, and poets