Download Preface "The Negro must build on his own basis apart from the white

Preface
"The Negro must build on his own basis apart from the white man’s foundation if he ever hopes
to be a master builder," says Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The Harlem Renaissance was a time
where African-Americans started their movement building their own foundation for their rights
in the future. The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the New Negro Movement, was a literary,
artistic, cultural, intellectual movement that began in Harlem, New York after World War I and
ended around 1935 during the Great Depression (Harlem). During the Harlem Renaissance
African Americans were impacted by political changes, social changes and other AfricanAmericans.
The Harlem Renaissance occurred between World War I and the Great Depression. Right after
the War there were many economic opportunities in the North. The Great Migration started
around 1916; when cheap immigrant labor stopped because of the Great War, and Blacks
moved into Harlem to fill job openings (Online). Since so many relocated to the industrial jobs
segregation led to the black-dominated communities like Harlem. Harlem became the capitol
of this Renaissance. “The name, more than the place, became synonymous with new vitality,
Black urbanity, and Black militancy”(PAL). Harlem became a crossroads where Blacks interacted
with and expanded their contacts internationally (Online).
Socially African-Americans began to branch out in different forms not only from their music but
in their organizations. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP) and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) started during this pivotal
period. A year later The Color Players Guild of New York was started in 1921. AfricanAmericans banned together in groups making their mark on society and making their voices
heard. Although Blacks were not fully accepted they still were seen more as humans with
opinions, views, beliefs and thoughts. Harlem Renaissance was an important time in history
because it led to the Civil Rights movement later in the 1950’s where African-Americans and
other banned together again to fight for their rights.
African-Americans encouraged each others to express themselves in forms of writing, art and
music. “These artists rejected landscapes for the figurative, rural scenes for urban and focused
on class, culture and Africa to bring ethnic consciousness into art and create a new black
identity.” (African). They wanted to document their community life and ancestry; they wanted
to share their stories with the world. They could relate to each other and their paintings, songs
or stories. African-Americans felt more accepted than ever because they were united as a
whole. People in general feel more accepted when they all share a commonality. AfricanAmericans, more than ever, felt a feeling of acceptance and unity because of their art forms.
The Harlem Renaissance became a great time period in history, leading African-Americans to
express their ideas and ancestry. Fueled by political, social and other African-Americans these
impacted these people made a mark in history. They influenced others around the world to
start voicing their opinions and express their ideas through music, art and writing. The message
of the Harlem Renaissance is one that everyone can relate to: to express yourself and culture.