Black Arts Research Project

Full Answer Section

• • To define and celebrate a unique Black identity and culture, moving beyond the legacy of slavery and minstrelsy.
  • To assert the humanity and dignity of African Americans.
  • To create a body of literature, art, and music that reflected the diverse experiences and aspirations of Black people.
  • To use culture as a means of social and political uplift, demonstrating the intellectual and creative capabilities of African Americans.

• What IMPACT did it leave?

  • Foundation for Future Movements: Laid significant groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement by fostering racial pride, self-respect, and a collective identity among African Americans.
  • Literary and Artistic Canon: Produced a rich body of literature, poetry, music (especially jazz and blues), and visual art that remains influential and celebrated globally.
  • Challenged Perceptions: Began to shift national and international perceptions of African Americans from caricatures to complex, creative, and intellectual beings.
  • Empowerment: Empowered a generation of Black artists and intellectuals, providing platforms for their voices and visions.
  • Cultural Fusion: Influenced broader American culture, especially through the explosion of jazz music.

Slide 4/5 – Political

• How would you describe the State of Black America during this era?

  • Post-Reconstruction Era: African Americans were largely disenfranchised in the South due to Jim Crow laws (poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses) and widespread voter suppression.
  • Segregation and Discrimination: Legalized racial segregation was deeply entrenched across the South (e.g., separate schools, transportation, public facilities) and de facto segregation existed in many Northern cities, including housing discrimination.
  • Racial Violence: Lynching and other forms of racial violence were prevalent, particularly in the South, used as tools of intimidation and control.
  • Economic Disparity: Despite the promise of the Great Migration, African Americans often faced job discrimination, lower wages, and limited economic mobility in Northern cities. They were largely excluded from mainstream economic and political power structures.
  • Emergence of Civil Rights Organizations: Organizations like the NAACP (founded 1909) and the Urban League (founded 1910) were actively campaigning for civil rights and economic opportunities, often through legal challenges and advocacy.

• What if any…laws were in place support OR work against this movement?

  • Working AGAINST the movement:
    • Jim Crow Laws: State and local statutes enacted in the Southern and some Border States from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. These laws enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement (e.g., separate but equal doctrine legalized by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896).
    • Voter Suppression Laws: Literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and white primaries were designed to prevent African Americans from voting.
    • Restrictive Covenants: Private agreements in housing contracts that prohibited the sale or rental of property to African Americans and other minority groups, contributing to residential segregation in places like Harlem.
  • Supporting the movement (indirectly/limited):
    • There were no significant federal laws enacted during the peak of the Harlem Renaissance (roughly 1920s-1930s) that actively supported civil rights for African Americans in the way the Civil Rights Movement later achieved.
    • The 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause) and 15th Amendment (Voting Rights) were theoretically supportive, but their enforcement was largely undermined by state and local laws and court interpretations (like Plessy v. Ferguson) until later civil rights victories.
    • Some nascent legal efforts by organizations like the NAACP began to challenge segregation, but these were long, uphill battles.

• How did this movement impact such laws?

  • Indirect Impact: The Harlem Renaissance didn't directly lead to the repeal of specific Jim Crow laws or voter suppression statutes during its heyday. Its impact was more foundational and ideological.
  • Shifting Public Opinion: By showcasing Black intellectual and artistic genius, the movement subtly challenged the underlying racist ideologies that justified discriminatory laws. It demonstrated the absurdity of "separate but equal" when Black culture was so clearly vibrant and influential.
  • Fostering Racial Pride and Consciousness: By strengthening a sense of Black identity and collective consciousness, it created a stronger internal foundation for future political activism. It helped instill the self-respect necessary to demand rights more forcefully.
  • Building a Platform for Advocacy: Many of the intellectuals and writers of the Harlem Renaissance (e.g., W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes) were also civil rights advocates, using their platforms to critique racial injustice and segregation. Their work provided powerful arguments and emotional resonance for the ongoing fight against these laws, inspiring later generations of activists.

Slide 6/7 – Social

• Who was involved in the movement and how were communities affected?

  • Key Figures (Artists, Writers, Intellectuals):
    • Writers/Poets: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Nella Larsen.

Sample Answer

Presentation Outline: The Harlem Renaissance

Slide 1 – Topic and Your Name

• Title: The Harlem Renaissance: A Cultural Awakening
• Your Name: [Your Name Here]

Slide 2/3 – Historical Aspect

• Historical - WHAT were the events that led to this movement?

  • The Great Migration (Early 20th Century): Millions of African Americans moved from the rural South to urban centers in the North, Midwest, and West, seeking economic opportunities and escaping the oppressive Jim Crow laws, racial violence, and agricultural decline. Harlem, New York, became a major destination, creating a vibrant concentration of Black talent and intellect.
  • World War I and its aftermath: African American soldiers served in WWI, fostering a sense of civic entitlement and a desire for greater equality upon their return. The "New Negro" concept emerged, rejecting subservience and demanding respect.
  • Emergence of Black Intellectuals and Artists: A growing number of educated and talented African Americans, many from the migrating population, congregated in Harlem, creating a critical mass for cultural and artistic expression.
  • Support from White Patrons and Publishers: While primarily a Black-led movement, significant financial and publishing support from white individuals and institutions helped to promote and disseminate the works of Harlem Renaissance artists to a wider audience.

• What was the PURPOSE of this movement?

  • To challenge prevailing racial stereotypes and prejudice through artistic and intellectual excellence.