The Harlem Renaissance- a Black Cultural Revolution

The Harlem Renaissance- A Black Cultural Revolution James Weldon Johnson once said that Harlem is indeed the great Mecca for the sight-seer; the pleasure seeker, the curious, the adventurous, the enterprising, the ambitious and the talented of the whole Negro world.(Harlem Renaissance) When one thinks of the Harlem Renaissance, one thinks of the great explosion of creativity bursting from the talented minds of African-Americans in the 1920s. Although principally thought of as an African-American literary movement, the Harlem Renaissances influence extended through every form of culture: art, dance, music, theatre, literature, history, and politics. Along with the great contribution this period made towards art and entertainment,†¦show more content†¦Another criticism of the Harlem Renaissance is that the movement reflected the beliefs of only the middle class, intellectual African Americans, otherwise known as the black bourgeoisie. Many critics believe that the goal of socially uplifting the entire black population was mi scalculated. Where the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance remains a profoundly romantic one for the black bourgeoisie, on the streets, where the great majority of black culture is made, its echoes are only faintly heard.(Stuart 3) Therefore, the criticism made of the Harlem Renaissance shares the belief that it was a hypocritical movement that served the interests of only the middle class of Black society. Despite the fact that most Harlem intellectuals did not reject the values of White, European society and relied heavily on mainstream, national publishers, it was not their goal to create an alienated culture totally unrelated to that of the White American. The Harlem Renaissances goal was to create a distinct African-American culture that could be assembled into a vast American culture. Called ‘New Negroes, they sought to chisel out a unique, African-centered culture for blacks and to improve race relations while maintaining a distinct cultural identity. (African American Lit erature: The Harlem Renaissance). Another goal of the Harlem intellectuals was to create a movement that would serve the best interestsShow MoreRelatedImpact Of Langston Hughess Contribution To Harlem Renaissance1697 Words   |  7 PagesLangston Hughes contribution to Harlem Renaissance Harlem was founded back in the 17th century as a Dutch outpost. Harlem adjoins New York City and host a large population of the African American Community. The blacks found New York City to be more accommodative to their culture and ideologies, during the great migration of the early 1900s, Harlem became the major destination and it became home to many African Americans. 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