LiteratureThe Harlem Renaissance changed the dynamics of African- American arts and literature in the United States. During the time of the Harlem Renaissance, many authors began to publish novels, magazines, and newspapers. The new fiction attracted a lot of attention from the whole nation. The effects of this new writing spread out so far that it influenced French speaking black writers from African and Caribbean colonies who lived in Paris. Several magazines, books, and poems helped people to understand the push for civil rights. Some of these works are The Crisis, Opportunity, and The Messenger. The literary movement of the Harlem Renaissance is grouped by scholars into three phases: 1917 to 1923, 1923 until about 1926, and the third one ending around 1934.
Three Phases of the Literary Movement
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Famous Pieces of Literature During This Time
The Crisis- A magazine written by the NAACP
- It published the work of many young African-American writers.
- By 1918, The Crisis had over 100,000 readers.
- Aimed to give voice to black culture.
- Was eventually connected with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a black labour union.
ArtEarly in the 20th century, European avant-garde artists had drawn inspiration from African-American art. They represented realistic ideas toward abstraction in painting and sculpture. Early in the 20th century, Pablo Picasso had been inspired by the new techniques that came out of the Harlem Renaissance.
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"People can discover the elements of hard work, determination, and our views regarding our ill-treatment. Our voice could be heard through our work which was not possible before this period. The works of literature produced by us during this period rival some of the greatest literary works of all time. We were able to open up our feelings through our work, thus providing our work a uniqueness."
- Langston Hughes
- Langston Hughes