(947) Hot Take on American People Exhibit – YouTube

Artworks from the “American People” Exhibit by Faith Ringgold

The walking tour of Harlem was a fascinating experience. I have always been interested in learning of occurrences in history, even more so intrigued when that history is of somewhere that is so close to home. The tour began at a large building regarded as the Schomburg. Inside there is a public library, in addition, a room with photos of significant figures and moments from throughout the early history of Harlem. The guide began with explaining some of the photos mounted on the walls; telling of grand parades on the streets of Harlem, an all-Black military regiment named The Harlem Hellfighters and about the talented photographer Austin Hansen. During the walk I was shown an area of Harlem where during the 1920s there were some notable clubs in operation at the time, such as Savoy which was an impressive establishment which contained a very large and well-maintained dance floor. On the back half of the walk, some other noteworthy locations were visited. To name a few, an area termed as Striver’s Row, the location of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.’s “what’s in your hand” speech and ending at the legendary Apollo Theater. I am very glad I got to go on this walking tour and was able to absorb lots of information about Harlem that was almost all new to me.

Savoy: Home of Happy Feet

There has been a similar focus across the Harlem Renaissance about the act of gazing. Many instances of protagonists actively engaging in looking at the subject of their interest, that focus usually being applied toward another person. The gaze is often synonymous with want, longing, yearning for something. In a number of the texts we have closely read, this sense of desire can regularly be associated with a growing affection bordering on the emotion of love. Though, the gaze can also be accompanied by emotions of anger or despise; wishing for the object of that particular gaze to go away or to no longer be a part of their life. This act of looking steadily and intently is able to be interpreted in many ways.

In the periodical Fire!!, a piece titled “Smoke Lillies and Jade” by Richard Bruce Nugent, contains a passionate moment that occurs between the subjects of Alex and Beauty where the first mentioned type of gaze is used to portray Alex’s feelings toward his lover, referred to as Beauty. “Alex handed him a match . . . he glanced at his companion apprehensively in the match glow . . . he was afraid that his appearance would shatter the blue thoughts” (36) “his face was a perfect compliment to his voice” (36). During this scene, Alex’s emotions about the man dubbed Beauty are clearly portrayed. While Alex looks on at his subject of interest, he becomes so enamored that he begins to worry about losing his composure and forgetting his train of thought. Such as the saying butterflies in my stomach goes, these reactions are due to nervousness from Alex’s attraction to Beauty. Complimenting several features like his face and voice, yearning for some type of connection with such a charming person. Then, throughout “Smoke Lillies and Jade”, as this romantic dynamic between them develops further from this initial moment and gaze signifies what the act of looking steadily and intently can intend to convey.

Smoke, Lilies and Jade – YouTube

Linked above is a YouTube video of a read out and images for “Smoke Lillies and Jade” by Richard Bruce Nugent. At the 26:46 time mark of the video there is a photo of a man staring straight into the camera, he has a slight smile and looks happy. Also, the narrator’s voice that plays over this part of the video starting at that time is reading aloud the beginning of the moment I have quoted. The added visual and voice with this segment from the video exhibits how Alex’s gaze from this scene connects with the passionate emotions he was developing for his subject of interest Beauty.

Passing (2021) Dir. by Rebecca Hall
At the 1:16:53 time mark, Irene is looking intently at Clare across the room during a party

The gaze can also contain negative connotations and be used to express gloomy emotions as well. In the film “Passing” (2021) directed by Rebecca Hall, there are several moments throughout the movie where Irene and other characters use their gaze in ways to express their thoughts and feelings; this other adverse way of looking at others is made known in a number of scenes within the motion picture. In the screen shot above, I have chosen this instance from a scene where the protagonist Irene and her husband Brian are hosting a party. Here Irene is staring at Clare while she is engaged in conversation across the room. The look on Irene’s face shows she is troubled and annoyed by Clare. This is due to the earlier undesirable occurrences in the movie; meeting Clare’s racist husband John, opposing Clare’s lifestyle choices, and Clare’s increasing closeness with Brian. Her rage intensifies so much she even intentionally drops the teapot she was holding in an attempt to relieve some of her frustration. With Irene’s facial expression and emotional reactions, this part certainly displays the loathe and fury that accompanies the intense gaze Irene is using toward Clare.

The gaze is represented with a variety of emotions and can be used in a multitude of ways, as highlighted by these meaningful moments.

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of time in Manhattan, New York where a movement took place that saw the revitalization of African American literature, performing arts, and illustrative creations. This effort became an essential part in debunking the continuance of the horrific ways African Americans were viewed / treated during and after the times of slavery. I will be endeavoring to discuss Harlem as a place and explain the significance this area in Manhattan, New York had during the Harlem Renaissance.

Photo from Opportunity, Volume 3, page 94: Domestic Science Room, Booker T. Washington High School

In regard to education and employment, the Harlem Renaissance gave increased opportunities for African Americans to display their intellect to the rest of the world. These chances were important for children as well because at some of the most crucial developing years in their lives they would more readily have access to valuable lessons. Though, it was realized that learning alone would not be enough. Having access to occupational prospects is also a major key, any person is in need of a job in order have money to live. This sentiment is echoed in the Opportunity Archive, January, 1925, “This work of counseling young graduates of the elementary schools showed how hopeless is training only, if no opportunity follows” (28). Then goes on to reveal how a Mrs. Elise McDougald took the results of a large – scale study of this subject to the Board of Superintendents and United States Department of Labor. The study included the professions available to African American men and women in New York City at the time. I believe this was used as a way to detail how minimally accessible jobs were. From then the findings from Mrs. McDougald’s research had been used as a great resource to implement new programs in schools and implement some positive governmental policies in the city. This reveals to me that Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance was also used as a place to display the current needs of African Americans at the time. Opportunities were scarce and making it a point to create more was of great importance.

Harlem was also a place booming with excitement, partly known for an energetic nightlife. One may also often find citizens expressing themselves or their talents on the public streets. Generally, either for entertainment or informational purposes. An enjoyable piece in the Opportunity Archives from Eunice Hunton Carter titled “The Corner” sheds light on this, illustrating the sounds and lights coming from the various clubs, businesses and cars driving by. (114) Describing a man on a soap box speaking on politics and race issues in the United States. (114) Telling of a wheel chair bound man playing a brass instrument while a passerby supports by placing money into a box or hat placed in front of him. (114). From this descriptive short story, I gather that using the streets of Harlem as a creative outlet gave many people a boost of confidence (sometimes even a chance to earn a little spending money). It could be said that Harlem was seen as a safer place to express oneself at the time. Harlem gave creators a more comfortable space, surrounded by like minded people. This allowed for more freedom of expression and opportunities to display their work to a welcoming audience. Knowing that whatever they produced would not be met by disdain.

During the Renaissance, Harlem was also viewed as a migration destination, predominantly for African American citizens. This observation was made due to the thousands upon thousands of individuals and families that uprooted their lives from Southern cities and states to New York City, to end up finding their place in Harlem. This area then became a space where African Americans could represent newfound goals, signify the intention of changing past circumstances and show involvement in creating a new type of environment. Adapting to the busy city life that awaits all who arrive. Alain Locke’s “Harlem” in Survey Graphic: Harlem, Mecca of the New Negro, proclaims a similar point of view that Harlem was the start of a much more substantial change to come: “In the drama of its new and progressive aspects, we may be witnessing the resurgence of a race ; with our eyes focused on the Harlem scene we may dramatically glimpse the New Negro” (630). With “eyes focused” on Harlem, people will see for themselves a side of African American life that was not able to be seen before. A revitalization of brilliance, talent and culture that would offer a positive new perspective built on events that occurred during the Harlem Renaissance.

School’s Out Allan Rohan Crite 1936 oil on canvas

After a bit of research, I came across this image of a fantastic art piece painted by a Mr. Allan Crite. It happens that the inspiration for this illustration was from a primary school out of Boston, yet, I feel that a similar attitude was present in Harlem. At the end of a school day when the children are sent home, all of the different families meeting up and enjoying each other’s company. The warm emotion from this painting gives a sense of comradery, friendship and kinship that was pertinent during the renaissance. While this painting is somewhat different to the work in Survey Graphic, there are still relatable aspects between them such as the interpreted message of viewers.

There are still so much more wonderful things to know and learn About Harlem.

The covers of the Crisis are able to communicate the changing circumstances that African Americans faced in America. Some of those cover images on the magazines depict moments of hardship as well as moments of prosperity they have gone through from the time up to and time during the Harlem Renaissance. The covers of the Crisis also convey the quickly growing literary movement that increased chances for African Americans to be able to display their latent talents to anyone that would look, listen or read. Opportunities to be able to express themselves through art and writing increased exponentially. “The trope of the New Negro did not disappear between 1904 and the 1920s, when it resurfaced as the sign of the literary movement that contained the new black voice.” (Gates 146). This line taken from The Trope of a New Negro and the Reconstruction of the Image of the Black mentions how African Americans are expressing themselves through more outlets to show their talents through media and be able to claim ownership of those creations.

The Crisis magazine covers are written for all interested patrons but with a certain emphasis for both African American readers and White readers. African Americans are able to look at the Crisis covers and appreciate the representation of themselves, whether it be positive affirmations or depictions of the current struggles at the time. For open minded White viewers, the magazine created an opportunity for them to learn things they may not have known about African American culture. Many interesting creations of music, art and literature are able to be displayed at a high volume through the increase in outlets such as Crisis magazine. Opportunities that were essential in diminishing the highly misguided notions of the past. There is a passage in Harlem, Mecca of the new Negro, on page 632, that speaks to these points. “In the intellectual realm a renewed and keen curiosity is replacing the recent apathy ; the Negro is being carefully studied, not just talked about and discussed. In art and letters, instead of being wholly caricatured, he is being seriously portrayed and painted.” (Locke). This quote from Locke’s piece is presenting how viewers of works such as the Crisis covers are able to feel a sense of enlightenment, helping both race groups to learn and think outside the box.

The Crisis covers became a major form of Black representation in the United States, drawing interest from readers that would end up learning a lot from the magazine. I believe the photographs or illustrations used for those covers implied that there was much more to know about African Americans than what was perceived before the release of Crisis. There were many covers that would show positive characteristics such as people posing, dressed up in suits or dresses and ones with small toddlers on them. There were also covers that were more aggressive, depicting war and other hardships. I feel as though having both types of covers implied that from then on everyone was going to know the full story of what it is like for Black people in America.