The Harlem Renaissance is an exceptional period of time from about 1910 through the 1930s. This significant moment in time would take place in the United States, predominantly in the area of Harlem in Manhattan, New York. New York was a focal point and one of the large cities in the North that would receive a great number of African Americans from southern states looking to move across the United States in search of better lives; this event in history is referred to as the Great Migration (1916 to 1970). Sabina G. Arora writes “Other conditions, the pull factors, attract people to the new area. In the Great Migration, the push factors included poor economic conditions in the South” (“The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance” 9). I mention Arora’s words to state that a key reason people left the South was to find opportunities and have a higher chance at creating a somewhat successful life for themselves. In this period of the Harlem Renaissance, many important instances began and occurred which would display the restoration of creative works that were made by Black Americans. Those creative works would include several artistic aspects that allowed an immense number of people to finally have a source and opportunity to put their creations and names out into the world. I think during the period of time of the Harlem Renaissance, focusing on the content that many talented figures produced in the subjects of art, literature, music and education during this period shows us as viewers how critical this time was in presenting Black talent. In a brief article from Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature titled “Harlem Renaissance”, this sentiment of how vital this era was is echoed. “The Harlem Renaissance altered the character of literature created by many black American writers, moving from quaint dialect works and conventional imitations of white writers to sophisticated explorations of black life and culture that revealed and stimulated a new confidence and racial pride.” (1). People living in Harlem found a place to create freely, redefine themselves and the things they would create into something that more closely expressed their own beliefs and customs.
Across my final project, I explore the content of what was made during the Harlem Renaissance and issues that were assisted by having a light shed upon them. Each post in my blog site highlights a certain area of interest while being supported by readings, prior knowledge, and archival engagement. “The Covers of Crisis” post illustrates Black representation in the United States and the impact Crisis Magazine, headlined by editor W.E.B. Du Bois (from 1910 to 1934), had in that field. “About Harlem” emphasizes how Harlem grew to become an outlet for demonstrating talent and constructing an improved life for oneself and their family. “Beyond The Gaze” analyzes the variety of emotions showcased using the gaze, in literature written by Black authors.
Readers that would be interested in the work that I am doing might be a younger audience looking to get an introduction into the Harlem Renaissance; perhaps being able to learn about some avenues of research where they can begin their own deep dive into the subject. Another potential audience may be fellow scholars, looking to compare and contrast with their own work or to use my words as an example and a resource to further their own formulated thoughts. The ones that might be the most important to reach would be local people from in or around Harlem. Learning about the rich history of Harlem can help garner a newfound respect for it and is greatly beneficial to preservation efforts. A significant notion about my blog site is having experience in the place I am writing about. During my high school years, I spent a lot of time exploring the area with friends and got to learn a good amount about the past. Though, once I attended the walking tour, I realized there was still much to know and learn. Places that I had passed right by actually had some amazing stories behind them and I would have been none the wiser, such as where Marcus Garvey gave his first speech and where some of the most popular clubs during the 1920s were located.
This work means a great deal to me. I have always had an affection for history and literature that I usually do not get to explore. Spending time on the literatures of the Harlem Renaissance was a thought-provoking and fun challenge. My approach to archival research was to look as efficiently as possible and find something that would be a topic of interest. It is important to understand what we are looking for in the archives and how we will be able to dwell on it further. What I enjoyed the most were the engaging field trips I attended and some of the entertaining stories such as “Passing” and “Smoke, Lilies and Jade”. The key insight people should maintain after exploring my site is if one shows any interest at all in a subject or topic, then it will be worth it to lean into that curiosity and engage it more closely. The Harlem Renaissance was indeed a fascinating topic to cover.
Works Cited
“Harlem Renaissance.” Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature, Merriam-Webster, 1995. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A148918499/GLS?u=cuny_baruch&sid=bookmark-GLS&xid=d667475d.
Arora, Sabina G.. The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, edited by Shalini Saxena, Rosen Publishing Group, 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/baruch/detail.action?docID=2101648.
National Urban League, “Opportunity”, vol. 3, https://books.google.com/books?id=JcgZAAAAIAAJ
Larsen, Nella 1929, “Passing”, pp. 1-238, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=miun.aat2524.0001.001&view=1up&seq=1&skin=2021
Nugent, Richard Bruce 1926, “Smoke, Lilies and Jade”, Fire!!, pp. 39-45, a (blackboardcdn.com)