Harlem Renaissance Pros and Cons

Ever wondered about the Harlem renaissance pros and cons? Harlem Renaissance was a development in the Harlem neighborhood in New York City in the early 20th century. This renaissance involved black Americans in mecca and resulted in a subsequent social and artistic explosion. Harlem renaissance pros and cons will help students of history to understand its significance over time.

The Harlem resistance had its effects, both negative and positive. The renaissance tried to win control over black people from the white race, who had created a different image after world war 1. The result of this was a creation of styles that recognized black American history. This includes the explosion of art and culture in American society among black people.

This brief but detailed read shall explore the effects of the Harlem Renaissance, the Harlem renaissance pros and cons, and how it came into being. Also, the goals and impacts of the Harlem renaissance shall be discussed.

Brief Summary of the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem renaissance started in New York City, America. Many factors contributed to the remarkable renaissance. Therefore, the Harlem renaissance pros and cons exist. By the 1920s, there were different both negative and positive actives that included the first world war. These events shifted the course to a different position in life which later resulted in the explosion of art and culture. This period was signified by African Americans black people coming together in a culture dominated by only white people.

The factor that fueled the Harlem renaissance pros and cons

The Harlem renaissance’s pros and cons did not happen; naturally, several factors were behind it. This includes the great migration, African Americans taking part in the first world war, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and the effects of opinion from controversial individuals like Marcus Garvey.

The great migration

According to recorded history, the northern Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem in America was only meant to be for only white people from the upper economic class in the 1800s. Around this period, rapid development occurred that led to many white people leaving behind empty buildings, leaving desperate landlords to fill them for fear of their lives due to their racial-related standings.

Due to this gap, middle-class black Africans from the neighborhood by 1900 moved into Harlem from the community known as the black Bohemia. This was followed by many other black families migrating into Harlem, causing the white remnants to free the area. However, this migration caused the Harlem renaissance pros and cons to scale to other levels.

Outside factors such as stability led to the increase in the black population. From 1910 to 1920, African American populations migrated from the south into the north, with prominent individuals like W.E.BDu Bois and James being amongst those affected by the great migration.

During this period of the great migration, between 1915 and 1916, natural diseases in the south had put the black community out of work. Hence they had more time to socialize and share ideas. Also, after the end of world war 1, the migration of Africans to America went down due to fear inflicted on backs during world war 1. The American people had to salvage their economy by requesting the black community in the south to work for companies in the north.

Due to this population factor, by 1920, over half a million black people had migrated from the south to the north, and Harlem was the most popular destination for these black families.

Effects of Langston Hughes ideas

Langston Hughes was a writer in the American paper. After the considerable population shifted, it resulted in the black pride movement with leaders like Du Bois and James working to ensure that African Americans were served their interests and got the credit for their culture, including equal chances for jobs and education in the twenties.

Serious writers who published their works in the American paper like Langston helped articulate ideas portraying the authentic African and negro images posted on serious platforms and newspapers in the racially torn America, further protracting the Harlem renaissance pros and cons on their present populations.

Africans realization that the Europeans were not a superior race

Colonization had propagated the idea of Europeans being the most supreme of the human races by laws. This narrative was debunked during the first world war. Africans who participated in the warsaw Europeans suffered and died more than even Black people. This realization planted confidence in Africans and that they demanded to have their rights and cherish whatever they were endowed with.

The advent of modern technology led to the spread of information faster. Africans fighting the world war in Africa could communicate to their counterparts in North and South America. This alone helped to diffuse and control ideas more quickly and helped black families regain their identity. Having realized that the black population was conscious of itself and was gaining its identity, the white man began to avoid the black Africans since they knew what resisting them could mean. Yet, they were the ones who brought them in as slaves.

What Were the Goals of the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem renaissance occurred because of industrial reasons. The result of this was a unification of black poets, authors, and essayists who gained an opportunity to express themselves. The root of all this is the contact of blacks from different parts of the world with the American Negros.  Here are the few goals of the Harlem renaissance.

Political change

Africans who were now united and almost lived together hated being ruled by the whites and wanted to be free from whites who had brought them to slavery, and the wounds had not healed. They collaborated with industrial and national white reformers during the Harlem Renaissance with the primary goal of achieving social justice and integrated society.

Democratic and social activities pushed for progressive laws and policies that provided a fluent ground for civil rights movements. This also led to a unique organization of leaders, civil organizations, and publications that helped fuel blacks’ ideas.

Creative expression

Creative expression is among the factors that appear in the Harlem renaissance pros and cons. Black people over long periods were regarded as individuals who could not read and understand, nor would they express themselves fully. The fact that Europeans provided education to the black community made them turn a deaf ear on Africans.

Due to this factor and the urge to be heard, Africans nurtured the art of expressing themselves through creativity. The cultural scene in Harlem encouraged artists, writers, actors, dancers, and sculptors to explore new potentials and art forms.

The Harlem renaissance was aimed at providing entertainment and interaction sessions for only Africans. This included a vibrant nightlife where performers like Bessie Smith offered a fantastic jazz and ragtime performance.

Enhance self-image for black African Americans

The black African American community was regarded as lesser humans; they were sidelined by the whites who considered themselves a superior race due to the Harlem renaissance pros and cons. During the first world war, Africans witnessed European soldiers die and suffer even more than them on the battlefields. Earlier on, they had also seen Europeans suffer from an attack of a pandemic between 1915 and 1916. This made them realize that they needed an enhancement of their self-image, which had been looked down upon by the superior white race for a long time.

Due to biased myths and stereotypes prevalent in the media, there was a need to create a positive image of African Americans to dispel racial discrimination. It was widely assumed that an accurate portrayal of the African American culture would lead to a more enlightened society.

The Harlem renaissance pros and cons

The Harlem Renaissance had its showdowns and advantages to both the black African American community and the whites. In many reviews, the Harlem renaissance worked and had an enormous advantage over Africans over the whites. Here are the Harlem renaissance pros and cons

Pros of the Harlem renaissance

The Harlem renaissance ensured that African Americans got an opportunity to express their talents. Before the famous Harlem renaissance, Africans were not denied sporting, singing, dancing, and even athletics. After the Harlem renaissance, Africans became writers and opinion-makers, musicians, and athletes in the American-dominated culture.

Africans were able to secure reasonable employment

This came as a result of reorganizing their community during the renaissance. African Americans who were formerly white men’s slaves were allowed to negotiate even for better salaries due to their organization.

Many African American individuals who were deeply rooted in talent also got recognition and were allowed to perform in events hosted by the whites. Those who could write could sell their opinion for a living, and those who engaged in artistic activities were able to sell their artwork in theaters for a living. To them, this was worthy employment.

African Americans started flourishing in the international forums

African Americans had gained enough for themselves to thrive in international conferences organized by the white society. The African movement ensured that African activities were supported since they could negotiate in the U.S.

African American history and culture, including music, were recognized. Africans were allowed to hold and attend events where they could cherish their culture that included music.

The concept of human dignity was accorded. The renaissance acted as a wake-up call to the aspect of human dignity. At this time, slavery was almost being abolished in many parts of America, and now this renaissance which had given Africans an opportunity to organize, showcase their ability and express themselves, was a good show of how human dignity has been upheld.

The Harlem renaissance supported art.

As much as the Europeans curtailed many African American rights of expression and threatened life, they acted as a matter of survival. They came up with a way of expressing themselves before the superiors of whites. This form of expression led to the emergency of singers, dancers, poets, and even sculptors to express their dismay. Later on, when the black man in America organized themselves entirely, they used their art as a tool of the trade. This time around, not express themselves as the weak but use art to negotiate for equal rights.

Cons of the Harlem renaissance

Despite having numerous advantages, the Harlem renaissance had its showdowns. The Europeans lost their culture in the process. The European culture was washed away by the exuberant African culture that included songs, music, and drama. The theaters were filled with African literature, and there was no space for the vapid European culture; hence the African culture was widely adopted and washed away the European culture.

The Europeans were forced out of their residence in the Harlem

As the Harlem renaissance pros and cons continued to be eminently visible. The Europeans realized that Africans were procedurally dominating the neighborhood; they took their primary civil responsibility and left to explore other areas of residence. This caused disruption of past social livelihood and a settled cultural lifestyle for Europeans.

European supremacy was washed away. For a long time, the Europeans had looked down upon the negro and created a notion that regarded them as a significant superior race. After historical happenings such as the world wars and the Harlem renaissance, Africans researched and searched for their own identity. After the renaissance, the Europeans had massively lost their pride. Now they were giving in to the demands of Africans since they were better organized to negotiate in the twentieth century.

Understanding what transpired during the Harlem renaissance for students in either college or university can get hard to understand, including its pros and cons.

On the other hand, if you still find difficulty in handling a history exam or assignment requiring you to mention the Harlem renaissance pros and cons, It involves writing an essay of words four pages, words two pages, words3 pages, or words five pages. To elaborate on how the renaissance occurred.

Impact of Harlem renaissance pros and cons on American culture

The Harlem renaissance pros and cons occurred in the American space. And those involved were black people. These black people caused an explosion that caused a shocker to the whites living in Harlem, causing them to migrate and leave it to Africans.

Africans began to organize themselves, and culture was their primary identity, and so they dedicated almost all their time to improve it. Black Africans and Negros used their culture to negotiate and entertain. It was an essential component of their life in Harlem which almost caused national attention.

The Harlem renaissance ensured that Africans were allowed to compete for jobs and resources with Europeans. African athletes won most competitions, and Africans graced most music and art competitions. According to them, Europeans across Harlem and related cities across the U.S abandoned their culture and embraced the African culture, which was exciting and entertaining.

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