2. What led to the
Harlem Renaissance?
From 1910 to 1930,From 1910 to 1930,
African-AmericansAfrican-Americans
left their southernleft their southern
homes. Racism andhomes. Racism and
lack of economiclack of economic
opportunities ledopportunities led
them to leave thethem to leave the
South. They wereSouth. They were
searching for bettersearching for better
lives.lives.
They migrated toThey migrated to
urban centers likeurban centers like
New York, Chicago,New York, Chicago,
Detroit, andDetroit, and
Cleveland.Cleveland.
3. What is The Harlem Renaissance?
–It was a time of great
development of art,
literature, music and
culture in the
African-American
community.
–It is also known as
(aka) the New Negro
Movement.
4. Harlem Renaissance
• New cultural identity
• Works celebrated AA culture &
spoke to their experiences.
• Urged AA to take pride in themselves
& culture.
5. Key Figures
• Langston Hughes (poet & author)*
• Louis Armstrong (musician)
• Marcus Garvey (political leader)
• W. E. B. Du Bois (author, civil rights leader)
• Jacob Lawrence (painter)
6. How did it impact history?
• Helped to redefine how Americans and the
world understood African American culture.
• It integrated black & white cultures, and
marked the beginning of a black urban
society.
• Set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement of
the 1950s and 60s.
7. Main Concepts and Ideas
• Developing African-American intellect &
art would challenge both racism and
stereotypes, bringing blacks to a new
level of equality.
• They routinely fell back on concepts such
as marginality, alienation and the effects
of slavery in their works.
8. 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.
Why did it begin & end during this specific period?
Let America Be America Again I, Too, Sing America Life Is Fine Dream Deferred Mother to Son
'I, Too' written just before Hughes’ return to the States from Europe and after he'd been denied passage on a ship because of his color, has a contemporary feel in contrast to the mythical dimension of 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers'. It is no less powerful however, in its expression of social injustice. The calm clear statements of the 'I' have an unstoppable force like the progress the poem envisages. Hughes's dignified introductions to these poems and his beautiful speaking voice render them all the more moving.
What is the tone or mood of this poem?
Why do you think the poem was written and for what audience?
List two things in this poem that tell you about life in the United States at the time.
From PoetryArchive.org
