The Harlem Renaissance in Poetry - Essay Example

The poem also highlights the class differences in society since the Blacks live in poverty and how the lack of meaningful employment drives the black women to prostitution in Harlem streets. Mckay asserts that ‘I see the shapes of girls who pass to bend and barter at desire’s will’ thus outlining the high poverty, homelessness and unemployment among the Blacks (McKay, 3-4).

Reuben asserts that modernist poets concentrate on individualism by promoting artistic viewpoints and individual consciousness. In this case, McKay agrees with Reuben that black minorities need to attain self-consciousness. Accordingly, the author asserts ‘little grey feet know no rest’ thus demonstrating that African Americans do not appreciate their cultural identity and do not consider themselves as equals in society (McKay, 8). Claude McKay believes that Blacks should have an alliance with Whites and also exhibit faith and self-confidence with one another. The phrase ‘dishonour and disgrace’ manages to pass the impression that the marginalization of minorities in economic participation has led to high poverty among Blacks (McKay, 14). The phrase ‘from street to street’ implies that blacks have started appreciating their identity and expressing their ideologies through art, music and literature and thus blacks must strive to attain a cultural identity and self-appreciation too to conquer the existing racial prejudices (McKay, line 18).

Langston Hughes has remained a key figure in American Literature and his works such as ‘Negro Speaks of Rivers’ prose agrees with Claude McKay’s Harlem Shadows that blacks need to appreciate their historical and cultural identity. Langston Hughes ‘Negro Speaks of Rivers’ aims at outlining African American historical origin and identity by asserting that ‘I have known Rivers’ that are ‘ancient than the world’ (Hughes, 1-2). Hughes outlines the early civilization that took place around major rivers such as the Nile, Congo and Mississippi rivers and how those rivers flourished live ‘human veins’ to give and support life (Tracy, 74).

The poem demonstrated the unstoppable quest for Black identity and inspired the Harlem Renaissance movements of the 1920s where Black artists started appreciating their cultural identity through music, writers, activists and artists (Hughes, 23). The poem connects the heritage and soul of African Americans since the author asserts that ‘my soul has grown deep like the rivers (Hughes, 4). This demonstrates that blacks must show their strength and determination in ending enslavement and attaining equality in society (Wallace, 45).

Both Claude McKay and Langston Hughes disapprove of Reuben’s assertion that modernist poets do not explicitly concern themselves with race, gender and class issues since the two authors concentrate on the importance of attaining racial identity and equality in society. Claude outlines the high poverty among Blacks while Hughes highlights the historical origins of the black community and the need to attain self-identity-too to facilitate the attainment of equality. Claude McKay challenges the existing racial, gender and class prejudices while Hughes focuses on the struggles and pain that blacks have undergone since early civilization.