The Rise of the African Americans Culture in Harlem - Research Paper Example

? The role played by Harlem Renaissance in the struggle for Black Americans Liberation. Thesis ment: An analysis of the Harlem Renaissance reveals it had a far reaching effect: that of shaping the destiny of the African-Americans. Harlem Renaissance fostered a black cultural heritage and identity, which enabled the Blacks overcome the white supremacist of the time. Outline I. Introduction This section of the research deals with the introduction of the topic. The clear definition of the term Harlem Renaissance is given. It is under this section that the basic information regarding the subject of study is brought into focus as an overview. Under the introduction, the vital areas under which the study will be engaged are highlighted, to grant the reader some idea of what to expect of the research. This section provides some motivation for the reader to keep reading the paper. Finally, it is under this section that the real purpose for which the research paper is written will be given. II. Body A. The rise of the African Americans culture in Harlem The rise of the African Americans in Harlem was not until the end of the civil war, when slavery was done away with. However, the arrival of the first Africans in this region dates back to the First World War. This section discusses how the African Americans came to establish Harlem as their base and how the establishment subsequently enhanced their solidarity and allowed them to forge a formidable cultural identity. B. Characteristics and themes of the Harlem Renaissance culture The culture of bonding and struggle for recognition and the fight for black race weakness stereotype were the main features of this period. Under this section, how the African Americans established a system of bonding as well as that of advocating for equality between them and the white race is the subjects of this section. The main pillars behind which the forged African cultural identity was established, such as music, drama and poetry as well as popular entertainments will be discussed under this section. C. Criticisms of the Harlem Renaissance Notwithstanding that the Harlem Renaissance was a movement associated with purely black identity, it was observed to embrace some cultures of the white people such as dressing, food and other lifestyles. Therefore, this sections deals with the critique of this movement, citing its areas of failure. Under this section, the departure of the movement from its main objectives and agendas and the reasons for such departure are discussed. D. Impact of the Harlem Renaissance The success of this movement is not only observable as an impact of the cultural bonding it forged but also on the sociological and emotional perspectives. Through this movement, the African Americans developed confidence in themselves and their abilities, thus building on their strength to advocate for their recognition, and thus engage in a fight for their rights. Under this section the analysis of how the movement influenced the Black American community is assed and the impacts documented. III. Conclusion Under this section, an evaluation of what has been learnt in the study and the facts that have been proved by the study are highlighted. In the light of the study, the main discussions and the interesting observations that have been undertaken are revisited in a summary form. This seeks to refresh and enhance the memory and understanding of the reader of this research paper. Concluding remarks are then given. Introduction Harlem Renaissance refers to the period after the civil war, when the African who were liberated sought to live a free life. These people sought to establish new identities in a safe place, where they would unite and establish a sound cultural bonding with minimal disruptions (Glenn, 2011). With the end of the civil war, there came an increased access for education by the African-Americans and consequent employment, effectively creating an African middle class. This class sought to live large and adopt the lifestyles that the whites were living. In search for their own culture and identity, the African Americans sought to apply creative arts as the unique pillar. To foster this culture, literary works came in handy, where poetry, dramas, music and other popular entertainment were the famous tools applied to create a world consciousness on the emergence of this new culture (Balshaw, 1999). The essence of the emergence of the Harlem Renaissance was to prove the white stereotypes, which portrayed the Africans as inferior and weak, wrong. Therefore, this movement sought to integrate all aspects of the Negro culture and experiences, so as to enrich the whole genre of the literary works that these African elites sought to produce (Rottenberg, 2010). Thus this movement created world recognition for the African literature, earning it respect. This movement fostered the modernization of the African-American population, enabling them to be proud of their culture and identify with it at the expense of perceiving it as a weak one (Gennie, Jean, Sadie & Cheris, 2003). Thus, this study seeks to unearth the all aspects of Harlem Renaissance, ranging from its rise, themes and characteristics, its criticism as well as what impact it had on the Black Americans liberation. The rise of the African Americans culture in Harlem The advent of Harlem Renaissance can be traced back to the period immediately after the end of the First World War. This movement occurred as a result of the migration of the Africans from the southern areas of America which were economically depressed and underdeveloped to the northern regions, which were opened up economically and had greatly advanced (Balshaw, 1999). Since the northern regions were industrialized, there was better infrastructure, modernization as well as technological and educational advancement. This way, the region presented the migrating Africans an opportunity for education as well as employment. Following the migration, education and employment opportunities, the Africans became more knowledgeable, civilized and exposed. However, due to the volatility of the racial climate that was in existence in these regions by that time, the Africans were forced to develop a racial consciousness, which saw them integrate and bond with each other more, in the light of the opposing white race (Harley, 1990). Thus, this served as a cultural movement, which was meant to overhaul the identity of the African-Americans, bringing them closer to the level that was exclusively occupied by the white supremacists. Through this movement, a cultural spirit was re-awakened, which allowed the African Americans feel as important as the whites, embracing their cultures that had before then been despised (Stevenson, 2011). This re-awakening occurred in various fronts, necessitating a search for a safe and comfortable environment, which saw the Africans settle for Harlem, a neighborhood in the New York City (Daylanne, 1999). The Africans were seeking for recognition as a people that are capable to take charge of the political, civic and economic responsibilities, which were exclusively a preserve of the white race by then. As a result of self-determination and advocacy by the African-Americans, they embarked on seeking for recognition. This afforded them some opportunity to engage in the political arena, thus influencing the legislations that were detrimental to the welfare of the Africans. Considering that the Africans had been denied their civil and political rights, their arrival to the north, opened up an opportunity to regain these rights. The determination served as a unifying factor among the African Americans to focus on liberation (Glenn, 2011). Considering that life in the south was too tough for the Africans, they sought comfort and better lives similar to the ones the whites were living. The south was too oppressive of the African, where they were being used as laborers and slaves. The generation that moved to the north was the grandsons and daughters of the southern slaves, who went there with a determination to make a change for their Black community (Sklar, 1972). It is therefore clear that the search for better standards of living, which were free of oppression and racism, saw the Africans settle at Harlem. In addition to the emigrants, more Africans came to Harlem during the First World War, since there was a high demand for unskilled labor in the industrialized Northern regions of America. However, the emigration of the Africans to the north did not assure them freedom from the wrath of racism, as the white supremacists continued to discriminate against them. Worse still was for the African soldiers who had fought in the First World War, who did not receive any recognition from the white authorities. They ended up joining the African counterparts as an aggrieved group, who felt exploited and misused by the whites (Stairs, 2007). Following such grievances, and coupled with the feeling of discrimination and oppression, the Africans adopted different advocacy methods, which they applied to fight for their rights. This included music, literary works such as poems, and dramas among other forms of literature. Having acquired education, the African Americans embarked on expressing their dissatisfaction with the system as it was operating. Notably, the writers and other activists sought to pinpoint the vices of racism and how they were detrimental to the fundamental human rights (Philipson, 2006). The publications involved building up on the essence of establishing a formidable black consciousness. This was meant to promote unity and a more positive African culture, which would embrace their identity and value its perspectives. In addition to the literary advocacy, some other activists started seeking for the economic channels through which African Americans could be liberated from dependency on the whites. Economic freedom was sought so as to create a separation where the blacks could still earn a decent living, while not entirely depending on the whites for employment (Stevenson, 2011). It was found that Harlem provided a suitable environment for such developments, thus becoming the hub for the advent of the Harlem Renaissance also referred to as the Negro movement. Characteristics and themes of the Harlem Renaissance Culture The Harlem Renaissance can be marked by various characteristics, some of which have served as the basis of the African-American cultural identity even to present day. This revolution of the African cultural Identity and heritage was characterized by the main themes of art, music, poetry, art and dance. Music Under the field of music, as a theme that characterized the Harlem Renaissance, major stylistic songs and musical devices were developed. The style of playing music was also very different, involving devising different ways of playing musical instruments such as the piano, where the Harlem stride style was developed (Holcomb, 2007). Songs and music that promoted the development and embracement of the positive African culture were also written. The essence of this was to blur the gap between the Africans who were of a lower social class and the elite ones who were of a middle economic class. The incorporation of certain musical instruments served to indicate the advancement of the Africans, considering that a piano was deemed a musical instrument for the wealthy. Therefore, when the Africans were playing music using such instruments, they felt they were as good as the whites for whom such instruments were meant for (Daylanne, 1999). It’s out of such determination to create music genres that would impress all and thus develop some respect for the African created music, that jazz music was born. The Africans sought to make this musical style so popular and fashionable that it was soon being listened to, all over and by all races. The energy that the Africans applied in the field of music so as to prove to the whites that they were equally good, ended up generating and arousing greater interest in the African music by the whites (Balshaw, 1999). Though eliciting such interests, the African-Americans became more proud of their culture and the musical genres they developed. This served as a basis of proving that they can do well in anything, an aspect that made them recognized for something positive, in contrast to their previous association with intellectual weaknesses and inabilities (Lewis, 1995). This was a major step towards the liberation of the Africans, in that they had shown that they deserved an equal treatment with their white counterparts, as they could do as good as them. The popularity enlisted by the African musical genre eventually saw the whites start teaming up with the Africans, forming multiracial bands. The joint bands of Africans and whites progressed in developing classical music. Eventually, the Africans would feature in stage performances and concerts, thus proving that their musical advancement had matured to the public performance levels (Gennie, Jean, Sadie & Cheris, 2003). Therefore, music served as a major platform through which the Harlem Renaissance enhanced the African liberation. Literature This is yet another genre through which the advocacy for African liberation in the era of Harlem Renaissance occurred. The literature of the movement was very unique in that its basis was the rich African culture and experiences, which were of great interest, not only to the Africans but also to the white races (Glenn, 2011). It is out of this rich culture that poetry, novels, plays and other literature forms were developed. This culture was of interest to both the black and the white writers, who considered some of its aspects as a necessity for advancing elitism. The experiences that the African-Americans had acquired over time, starting from their days of slavery, all the way to those days when their liberation and freedom were promising served as a very good basis for writing creative and fictional stories as well as real life ones (Balshaw, 1999). Such literatures opened up the eyes of the world into the evils and vices that were associated with racism and discrimination. Having exposed the needs for better treatment of the Africans by the whites, and their need to be accorded their civil and political rights, such literatures acted as a basis of calling for the liberation of the Africans. In addition to the novels, plays and poetry, the African writers also sought to advocate for their liberation through articles and magazines such as the messenger, which clearly painted the true picture of the discrimination and oppression that the Africans were undergoing (Rottenberg, 2010). Therefore, literature served as a useful platform for liberation advocacy during the Harlem Renaissance. Political and civil activism During the Harlem Renaissance, a wide range of political and civil activism occurred. The black elites, who were of a middle class, having obtained good employment and invested in businesses supported the activities of the African Civil and political groups (Daylanne, 1999). With the efforts that the Africans were making, coupled with their advancement in arts, music and literature, some whites also joined hands with them and supported their advocacy. Such whites provided their support in terms of assisting the Africans gain access to publication platforms as well as other advocacy platforms that they would otherwise had not accessed. It is such whites who incorporated the African literatures such as poetry and music into their published works, thus exposing the African literature as well as other political, social and economic aspects to the outside world (Harley, 1990). Through garnering such support, the African-Americans accelerated their advocacy for the elimination of black discrimination and oppression, eventually paving their way to some of the useful legislations that occurred after the civil war. Through such legislations as the Klu Klux Klan Act of 1871, a way for the African participation in the political affairs of America was paved (Stevenson, 2011). Thus, in the subsequent years, some Black representation was experienced in the congress, having a total of sixteen blacks elected to represent in the congress by 1875 (Holcomb, 2007). Without the Harlem Renaissance, it would have been virtually impossible for the Africans to gain such platforms to advocate for their liberation. As a result of the civil and political activism of the African Americans, many changes occurred that favored the black community. One such major political change that was experienced as a result of the Harlem Renaissance activism includes allowance of the Africans to vote (Balshaw, 1999). The Harlem Renaissance provided the platform through which the African-Americans formed organizations and networks that allowed them to strategize to advocate for their liberation. It is through such networks and organizations that the black community developed both social and political ideas, which reinforced their bid for seeking equality and equal treatment to their white counterparts. Criticisms of the Harlem Renaissance Notwithstanding that Harlem Renaissance is associated with impacting positively on the bid for the African American liberation; it is not free of criticisms. The critics of this movement point out to the fact that its cultures, principles and lifestyles were not predominantly African (Glenn, 2011). In the light of this, even though the African Americans worked towards establishing a cultural identity and heritage that was purely black, they did not advance to elitism and modernity without embracing most of the European cultures and lifestyles. Since the main objective of the movement was to establish a cultural identity, which would serve as the basis of advocacy for the Africans, then all the cultures embraced by the movement ought to have been the African ones. However, on the contrary, in an effort to prove their point, that they were equal to their white counterparts, the Africans adopted most of the whites’ lifestyle. Such adoptions were conspicuous in the areas of dressing, where the African adopted the European dressing code (Stairs, 2007). Another area where the authenticity of the culture of Harlem Renaissance was pointed to lack is in the lifestyles that the African-Americans embraced. Such deviations from African lifestyles were observable in activities such as clubbing. The African Americans also adopted the mannerisms and the etiquette of the whites, making the Harlem Renaissance culture a mixed and a blend between the African and the European cultures. Arguably therefore, is the fact that their struggle for liberation may not wholesomely be due to the fostered African cultural identity and heritage, but rather as a result of blending their cultures with those of the Europeans (Holcomb, 2007). The critics observe that as a minority culture, the Africans had to assimilate the white cultures so as to fit in perfectly. Therefore, the liberation could have occurred as a result of the Africans being able to fit into the European culture and adopting their lifestyles. This could simply be the reason as to why it was easy for the whites to gain interest in the art and literatures of the Harlem Renaissance, since it more or less resembled their cultural and intellectual interests. This could be the possible reason why the African-American culture and art of this movement appealed to a mixed audience, making it easy to be adopted. It therefore follows, that it may not be accurate to credit the African cultural heritage and identity as the sole basis for African liberation (Sklar, 1972). There is another reason as to why the Harlem Renaissance cannot be considered as a purely African effort. Even though the African writers made a great deal of efforts in writing novels, plays, poetry and even music, they depended on the publishing houses or magazines that were owned by the whites to publish their works (Lewis, 1995). The major achievement of the Harlem Renaissance is regarded as the ability of the Africans to see their artistic and literary works through the mainstream system, and have them appear on main periodicals which were predominantly white. Without the major support by the whites who were more considerate of the African plight, thus paving for them ways through which they could push their works, then, it would have not been possible for such works to be published. The consequence of this is that it would not have been possible for the main agendas and thoughts of the Africans to be displayed in the public limelight. This would mean that the advocacy attempts of the African networks would not have had a far reaching effect, thus failing to impact on their liberation bid (Gennie, Jean, Sadie & Cheris, 2003). Even though the Africans were committed to speak out their mind regardless of whether the whites approved of them or not, it would have been a very challenging task to sail through the political systems and push for legislations that would favor their welfare without the support of some whites. Since it is through the support of some whites that political writings were published as well as the presentation and passing of major legislations that favored the African Americans, then the whites played a pivotal role (Daylanne, 1999). Therefore, Harlem Renaissance, as a sole act of the Africans, cannot be purely regarded as the sole basis of African liberation. The support and patronage from the whites made a greater impact towards the achievement of the African-Americans objectives. The Impact and success of the Harlem Renaissance Despite the criticisms on the Harlem Renaissance culture, it had far reaching success, which is evident to present day. The major accomplishment of this movement is the fact that it successfully presented the experience of the African American to the whole world, portraying the discrimination and injustices that was perpetrated against them (Stevenson, 2011). Through the exposure of such experiences, there emerged a concern over such injustices, which would form the basis of pressure through which major reforms were to be undertaken in favor of the black community. The other major success associated with the Harlem Renaissance movement is the fact that it helped forge formidable African networking and organization, which fostered the African cultural identity and heritage (Philipson, 2006). Additionally, on a mental and emotional perspective, the Harlem Renaissance clearly influenced the way the African American thought and felt about them, giving them a great sense of pride and a reason to identify with their culture. Consequently, the Africans ventured into activities and genres that were predominantly white previously, occasioning recognition and arousing great interest in their plight (Holcomb, 2007). The success of the Harlem Renaissance can also be traced on the improvement of the standards of living of the Africans in America, as well as the creation of elitism and modernity on their part (Harley, 1990). As a result of intellectual exposure, the African gained such sophistication and connections that allowed them marshal the resources and the technical support they needed to advance their advocacy. The result of this is that the black community hit the world stage on a positive note, through their struggle for the recognition of the fundamental human rights for all, as well as through the fight against oppression and discrimination, just in search for equality (Glenn, 2011). The Harlem Renaissance served to encourage for the embracement of the black root cultures, which served as a motivation for the Africans, not only in America, but elsewhere in the world to forge self-determination and fight for liberation. Thus, the Harlem Renaissance served as the basis for the African-American liberation. Conclusion Harlem Renaissance refers to the cultural re-awakening movement that emerged after the American civil war and peaked towards the end of the 1920s. This movement sought to foster African cultural identity, which would enhance the bonding and recognition of the African fraternity. The movement sought to reinforce its identity through certain platforms namely literature, music as well as political and civil activism. Even though there arises some criticisms as to the authenticity of the Harlem Renaissance culture, arguably because it was tainted with several aspects of the European cultures and mannerisms, the movement played a major role towards the liberation of the African-Americans. References Balshaw, M. (1999). Black Was White: Urbanity, Passing and the Spectacle of Harlem. Journal of American Studies, 33. 2, 307-322. Daylanne K. (1999). Selecting the Harlem Renaissance. Critical Inquiry Journal, 25, 807-821. Gennie, P, Jean, D, Sadie, C & Cheris, W. (2003). Journeying through the Arts into the Harlem Renaissance. Journal of Language Arts, 80,345-52. Glenn, J. (2011). Re-Membering The African-American Past. Journal of Cultural Studies, 25. 6, 848-891. Harley, S. (1990). Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America. The Journal of American History, 77, 253-261. Holcomb, G. (2007). The Sun Also Rises in Queer Black Harlem: Hemingway and McKay's Modernist Intertext. 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