Harlem Renaissance - Focusing on the Black Community - Research Paper Example

Harlem Renaissance - Focusing on the Black community Introduction The blacks in the west have experienced a real metamorphosis throughout their stay as well as their endeavors in America. In this scenario, there is need for invoking a vivid illustration in our imagination and simply using their name as a form of identity and reference. They had been referred to as Negros, Blacks, Black-Americans before they could be referred to as Americans as presently. Observing from this instance, an individual might be prompted to think of the case where the name which is termed verbally posing contention, what of the activities. In case an individual has been shunned from the identity then his or her activities will face an automatic rejection. Therefore, it calls for exceptional esteem amongst the persons facing rejection to regain the dignity they deserve as human beings. However, it is evident that some persons in the black community have succumbed to the stereotype and joined the “whites” in escalating their rejection through neglecting their esteem and confidence. It is this aspect of esteem and confidence among the black as a community that triggers the writer of the article, The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain to express his mind through the article. Langston Hughes expresses a strong feeling of confidence in his personality. The writer is contented with whatever the nature has granted him and feels that he can do everything in spite of his race and position in the society. It is not clear of what an individual can perceive of another race that would prompt the thought of the superiority of the subject culture. The middle class blacks are victims of self discrimination. Therefore this research targets the explanation on how the article addresses the racial and cultural associations of the literary movement or customs. The article is very explicit in its expressions towards the diverse dimensions of the racial factors and their influence to the community. The article was written during the time when there was a belief amongst the Americans that the only competent group was the white community. It is in the 1960s and the author introduces his idea through a child that yearns to be a white poet rather than a negro poet. This statement is analyzed in a comprehensive meaning outlining that the person simply longs to be a white in order to achieve what he or she perceives to be perfect in the artistic fraternity. It beats the logics in no sense that an individual who is black desires being a white poet. This condition con never be reached and the child should shatter such unrealistic dreams. There is a possible option of developing the most perfect skills that can convince everyone that even among the blacks there is exceptional capability and talent. The feelings portrayed through the article by Langston Hughes that the racial elements are intertwined and influence every sector culturally, historically as well as politically. Historically, there can be a rational argument that it is in the 1960s and many believe that it is of much ease to be a white poet than becoming a black writer. The fact attributing to ease in this situation was the aspect of color and race. The history holds the aspect that the human psychology would not wish for opposition and it is only a few of individuals who would dare to oppose this norm. Langston Hughes seems to borrow much of the ideas from what the history hold and it is manifested through the rising that the rift between the two races and that is the Caucasians and the blacks is immense. There is a comparison of the tribulations with a mountain that is hard to climb. Historically, the white poets have the tendency of copying the whites in all they do without the consideration of the value of that act as well as its impact on their confidence. Langston Hughes suggest that the history should be done away with, autonomy should prevail and new information should go to history. There are many “blacks” who are capable of performing through hats outstandingly and its high tome they started thinking of working on their autonomy as well as confidence. The piece refers to a greater degree on the need for the “blacks” to rely on their work and believe on their capability. Langston Hughes also poses cultural issues through the article in a number of ways but basically referring on the blacks’ culture and the whites’ culture in the same context. In this context, there is a culture that only the members of the white community can exell in arts. When the charming young black artist told Langston Hughes that he would want to become a white poet one day, the notion forming the prevailing culture was confirmed. Nonetheless, Langston Hughes interpreted it as the young man yearning to be a white in simple terms. The culture of lack of proficient ability among the whites required am immediate elimination. The need for alleviation of such thoughts accrues from the feeling that the propagation of such notions would impact negatively on the blacks. The blacks were on their way to attainment f respect among the whites. Langston Hughes feels that in case the blacks continue thinking of their lack of full capacity would deny the blacks their chances of attaining greatness. The writer feels that the blacks will never attain their greatness in various fields and especially arts. The culture spreads the lack of ability to separate the best work from the blacks from the worst. It seems that the black artists pursue greatness yet they do not know the method to utilize for the accomplishment of their desire. Langston Hughes suggests to them that the way they perceive as the best that is posing as whites is not the best way and will not lead to their greatness. Concerning the political and social scope, there is a negligible difference between the middle class and the first class. These classes were associated with the whites and some portions of the blacks. The African Americans would train their young ones to adore the white man and try assuming being like them. These individuals made their children to perceive that any misbehavior in any social set up was depicting black. Therefore such behaviors were punishable by the law. Again these blacks tend to impart on their children that it is only the blacks to be punished for any misconduct they involve in. through this suggestion, Langston Hughes wanted to express that African Americans normally felt that operating on their own capacities was never impressive enough. Langston Hughes had pity for his people and yearned for a rescue. Langston Hughes has faith in the quality of the work as a determinant to the appreciation by the audience and states that, the perfect job will impress neither the black not the white audience. The content of the article concurs with the convention of the period and the current movement as well as tradition. The article is written at the height of racial segregation amongst the Caucasians to the black Americans. Someone might wonder what might make individuals to train their children to become pessimistic about their own culture. The contemporary matters of the moment as well as the theme prevalent during the period confirm the magnitude of racial inclinations of the time. The piece identifies individuals as African Americans and the Americans that is, blacks and whites. People are recognized by their classes as the poor, the middle class or the first class. Even though people especially the artists pursue recognition through their works, this is neglected and the racial aspect surpasses other aspects of identity. There are equally two communities, the whites and the blacks. There is a hovering manner of distinction providing that the whites are associated with triumphs in all they do whilst the blacks are a cradle of misfortunes. The irrational black Americans community has been convinced beyond any significant reasonable doubt that they are doomed. The only means they can obtain glory is through is through joining the white community. This also explains their desire for deserting their race’s practices and the need to influence their lineage too. The legitimacy of the writer’s arguments is a subject to arguments since there is freedom in utilizing every avenue of reasoning to confirm the implicity of the postulations. Moreover, the analysis can relieve the young poet who wishes to become a white of any form of blame by suggesting that he simply think “loudly” for his family. This boy is an individual who has meager experience concerning the cultural issues and has never been exposed to the external situation demanding any credible rationality. The young poet behaves in accordance to his parents’ preferences therefore, judging him as fully segregated would not be confirmed. The issues of enthusiasm of culture of the whites’ way of doing things and the lack of confidence among the black Americans face a real battle of wits and criticism. Langston Hughes fights the issues by creation of awareness amongst the African Americans by sensitizing the whole community on the essence of upholding their ways of doing things. Langston Hughes is steadfast in stating to the African American community that they will never achieve greatness through worshipping the whites. Conclusion The African Americans are fully aware of their plight however, they do not know the best approach for this. The literature by Langston Hughes inspires, enrages, raise complex questions, and place a call to action. The artist inspires people to be confident in their culture and throughout all they do. The writer engages the audience through thought and tends to disapprove their present thought by replacing them with favorable thoughts to the blacks. The difficult question in the case tends to inquire on the need for worshiping the whites and what compels them to believing so. The call is placed to action compelling the Africans to take charge and modify their means of attaining greatness. Work Cited Hughes, Langston. The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain. The Nation, 1926 Annotated Bibliography Bader, Philip, and Catherine, Reef. African-American writers. African-American Writers, Revised Edition, A to Z of African Americans. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2011. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=AAW0001&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2013). The article expresses the Africans as equally competent in artistic works and has performed in different genres. The piece also points out on some of the African writings in America as having addressed the racial resistance and opposed by the artists. Chambers, Veronica. "'Patrons of the Renaissance'." Harlem Renaissance, African-American Achievers. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1995. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=AAHR06&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2013). This article on the African Americans’ desire to attain greatness addresses the progress of the Africans on different artistic pieces such as the Jazz. The article is also unique in thoughts as well as its suggestions in that it expresses the synonymous appearance of some whites in supporting the so called ‘blacks’. There is also essence in the article where it recognizes the black leaders and their role in influencing their followers to advocate for their rights. Price, Clement Alexander. race, blackness, and modernism during the Harlem Renaissance. In Aberjhani, and Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=EHR0001&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2013). In this article there is a demand for the shifting of thoughts concerning the desperation of the black community in America. It is provided that it was a consequent to the change of black life in a period where the most of African Americans were not free as compared to their ancestors. West, Sandra L. "art and the Harlem Renaissance." In Aberjhani, and Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. African- American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=EHR0022&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2013). The piece Art and the Harlem Renaissance, highlights on the revolution that the African American art has undergone from time immemorial. The article points out that the art transformed from the 1920s towards the 1940 till the present time. There is the development of a new group of black artists performing wonderful operations in arts. The new breed of artists is referred to as New Negro and is equally competent. Weissman, Dick. Social history and the blues: Blues, American Popular Music. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=APMB0386&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 27, 2013). There is need for combination of different races and cultures in pieces of art to enhance acceptability and the feeling for accommodation amongst people. This article poses how a white artist preferred incorporating different people of dissimilar colors in his work to depict that art is meant for all. Read More