History of the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was an African American culture movement starting in the 1920s and lasting until the early 1930s. This movement was centered in New York City and eventually impacted urban areas throughout the United States. Through music, art, and literature, African Americans broke from copying European and white American styles and demonstrated their own creativity.

Two important elements that united the supporters of the Harlem Renaissance were the idea of taking part in a common effort and committing to giving artistic expression to African Americans. An interest in the roots of the 20th century African American experience, a sense of racial pride, and a desire for social and political equality were the most common themes touched on in the music, art, and literature of the Harlem Renaissance. The most characteristic element of this movement was the diversity of expression.

To the artists, this period represented racial equality and racial pride, with the help of mainstream publication. This movement saw a greater unity, in that popularity achieved in the United States was surpassed by the greater popularity achieved abroad in Europe. Mostly, artists wanted to prove that whites did not have a monopoly on literature and culture.