Similarities and Differences of the Eras

The greatest similarity of the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement was obviously the fight for racial equality and the end of discrimination. Both eras also represented the violence of the time due to racism in some way. These movements were essentially lead by African Americans, since they were the ones on the receiving end of that violent racism. Both of the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movements created several positive changes towards what they were fighting for.

The greatest difference in these two is the approach of abolishing racism and creating equality. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of cultural exploration using creativity to encourage identity and culture, while the Civil Rights Movement was a political and social movement using large gatherings to encourage equal rights and an end to discrimination. The actions of those in the Harlem Renaissance were in a passive nature from the music, art, and literature, while the Civil Rights Movement was more aggressive in its protests, marches, and boycotts. The locations of these two movements were different as well in that the Harlem Renaissance was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, and the Civil Rights Movement originated in the South.