HARLEM RENAISSANCE

SWBAT: Explain the causes of the Harlem Renaissance and identify the major contributors to the arts. Homework: study for vocabulary quiz. Do Now: What is a Renaissance?

What is the Harlem Renaissance?

◦ A cultural movement that spanned the 1920s. ◦ Took place in Harlem, NYC ◦ was racial pride that came to be

represented in through literature, art, and music. ◦ Believed the arts could challenge

racism and stereotypes.

Harlem

But what started it? ◦ Answer: the Great Migration. ◦ After WWI many African Americans

made the move north known as the Great Migration. ◦ Looked for jobs and prosperity.

◦ Went to Philadelphia, Chicago, and most notably Harlem. ◦ 40% increase.

◦ Harlem became a center of African American literary, art, and musical creativity and culture.

The Big Three of the Harlem Renaissance

◦Literature

◦Music

◦Art

Literature ◦ The big names: ◦ Langston Hughes ◦ Georgia Douglas Johnson ◦ Claude McKay

◦ Celebrated African American culture and heritage.

◦ Commented on black identity. ◦ Discussed social problems such as

poverty, racism, and oppression.

I, Too, Sing America Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed-

I, too, am America.

Men By Georgia Douglas Johnson

They have dreamed as young men dream Of glory, love, and power; They have hoped as young men hope Of life’s sun-minted hour. They have seen as others saw Their bubbles burst in air, And they have learned to live it down As though they did not care.

Analyzing Poetry…

◦What are this poem about? ◦How did the poem make you feel?

Music… ◦ Listen to the following and write down thoughts, feelings, and emotions as the song

plays on. ◦ How would you describe the music you heard? ◦ How did it make you feel? ◦ What kind of music would you characterize this as?

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNi97R8t0Rg&feature=youtu.be

Jazz Music ◦ The big names: ◦ Louis Armstrong ◦ Duke Ellington ◦ Bessie Smith

◦ Orginated in New Orleans. ◦ All about personal expression and playing with feeling. ◦ If you felt sad, you played a sad, slow song.

◦ Became extremely popular and soon found its way in the dance clubs in Harlem.

Art Analysis

◦ Look at the paintings in your guided notes packet. ◦ With a partner discuss: ◦ What is the painting about? ◦ What is the mood? ◦ What is the artist trying to accomplish? ◦ What do they have in common?

A Midsummer Night in Harlem

Palmar Hayden

Into Bondage

Aaron Douglas

Art ◦ Focused on the African American experience. ◦ Could be present day depictions of life, or past representations. ◦ Led to the creation of art centers that provided instruction for

students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford instruction.

Exit Discussion ◦ What do the music, poetry, and art of the Harlem Renaissance

have in common?