The Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Art & Literature
Background
The Harlem Renaissance was a rebirth of art and literature within the African American culture in America. This movement mainly focused on the portrayal of life as an African American and the dreams that were possessed during that time period. Many important writers and poets in this time period or influenced by this rebirth were Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Sterling Brown, Robert Hayden, Clay McKay, Louis Armstrong, and many others.
Dreams Deferred
When my dreams are pushed aside or deferred, I tend to forget about them. Continuing softball in high school was always a dream of mine, but whenever softball season comes around I never seem to make it to tryouts. It is rare in my life that I remember and try to pull my dreams back on track for success. Hopefully one day, I can go back to all of the dreams I left out and live them out.
"Female Laborer"
The piece of art above was by an artist named Jacob Lawrence. This picture portrays a woman in the midst of her work day.
"Song of the Towers"
This piece done by Aaron Douglas shows the trace of African culture for African Americans.
"Midsummer Night in Harlem"
The art above by Palmer Hayden visualizes a black community with nicer end stone houses in Harlem.
Claude McKay
Claude McKay was born in Jamaica on September 15, 1889. McKay was educated by his older brother. At the age of 20, he wrote a book of verse called "Songs of Jamaica" about black life in Jamaica. "The Harlem Dancer" and "Invocation" were two famous sonnets written by Claude McKay. McKay developed interests in many different subjects throughout the 1920's which took him to many places around the world. His poems and works deeply influenced the Harlem Renaissance and writers of its time.
If We Must Die- Claude McKay
Works Cited
Unknown. "A Brief Guide to the Harlem Renaissance." Poets.org. Academy
of American Poets, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
Unknown. "Claude McKay If We Must Die : Free Download & Streaming :
Internet Archive." Internet Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
Unkonwn. "Claude McKay." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d.
Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
Unknown. "JACOB LAWRENCE." JACOB LAWRENCE. N.p., n.d. Web.
14 Nov. 2014.
Unknown. "Palmer Hayden." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
Unknown. POEM: IF WE MUST DIE BY CLAUDE MCKAY. "POEM: IF
WE MUST DIE BY CLAUDE MCKAY." Poemhunter.com. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
Unknown. "The Harlem Renaissance." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.