Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison was an African American writer that became famous for his novel Invisible Man. This book adresses many of the social issues African Americans had to deal with in the mid to late twentieth century. In the book, Ellison explores the feels that come with being ignored or an outcast. Ellision also dicusses the effects race has on social structure and inspires the reader to make a change in the world. This book was so successful, because Ellison made the story very relatable.

Thomas "Fats" Waller video

Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden, an African American artist played a big role in the Civil Rights Movement. One of his works of art was The Woodshed.

In this picture, Bearden used a variety of material that are commonly found in every home. This picture represents a family in reduced circumstances, a situation relatable to much of his audience. Inside, the room is dimly lit and the mother is sitting with her baby. Outside, there is a man playing a saxophone. The mood of the picture is sad and lonely. This relates to the Civil Rights Movement, since many of the people fighting in the movement felt this way and knew this as a common scene.

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte was born in Harlem during the middle of the Harlem Renaissance era. He grew up to be a musician and civil rights activist. His styles of music ranged from Carribean music to folk music. One of his most influencial songs during the Civil Rights Movement was Back of the Bus. Today, this song is a commonly taught to children learning about the Civil Rights Movement, like the children in this video.

If you miss me at the back of the bus
You can't find me nowhere
Oh come
on over to the front of the bus
Because I'll be riding up there
I'll be
riding up there, I'll be riding up there
Come on over to the front of the
bus
Because I'll be riding up there

If you miss me on the picket
line
You can't find me nowhere
Come on over to the city jail
Because
I'll be rooming over there
I'll be rooming over there
I'll be rooming over
there oh
Come on over to the city jail

Because I'll be rooming over
there

If you miss me at the Mississippi river
You can't find me
nowhere
Come on over to the swimming pool
Because I'll be swimming over
there
I'll be swimming over there, over there
I'll be swimming right
there
Come on over to the swimming pool
Because I'll be swimming over
there

If you miss me in the cotton fields
You can't find me
nowhere
Come on over to the boating booth
Because I'll be a boating right
there
I'll be boating right there, right there
I'll be boating right
there
Well come on over to the boating booth
Because I'll be boating right
there

-http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Harry-Belafonte/Back-Of-The-Bus.html

This song is a great representation of the Civl Rights Movement. It covers some of the main events of the movement as well as mentioning some of the rights people were fighting for. Harry Belafonte is refferring to Rosa Parks in the first verse when he is talking about sitting in the back of the bus. He also discusses being arrested after being part of picket lines. His song also talks about being able to swim in swimming pools, an event once thought to only be accessible by white people, and boating instead of working the cotton fields, a job once commonly done by African American slaves.

Thomas "Fats" Waller

Thomas "Fats" Waller was one of the most influential people in bringing jazz to Harlem. In the 1920's Thomas Waller started recording his music and made a living by performing at rent parties. Throughout his career, Waller worked as a pianist, band leader, entertainer, and composer. One of Waller's most famous jazz songs is The Joint is Jumpin'. In this song, Fats Waller gives a humorous description of a disastrous rent party.

They have a new expression along old Harlem way, That tells you when a party is
ten times more than gay: To say that things are jumpin' leaves not a single
doubt, That everthing is in full swing when you hear someone shout. Here 'tis:
The joint is jumpin', It's really jumpin', Come in, cats, and check your
hats, I mean this joint is jumpin'!
The piano's thumpin', The dancers are
bumpin', This here spot is more than hot, In fact, the joint is jumpin'!
Check your weapons at the door, Be sure to pay your quarter, Burn your
leather on the floor, Grab anybody's daughter.
The roof is rockin', The
neighbors knockin', We're all bums when the wagon comes, I mean, this joint is
jumpin'!
[Spoken] Let it be! Yas! Burn this joint, boy! Yas! Oh, my! Yas!
Don't you hit that chick, that's my broad! Where'd you get that stuff at? Why,
I'll knock you to your knees! What? Put this cat out of here! What? Get rid of
that pistol! Get rid of that pistol! Yeah! Get rid of it, yas! Yeah! That's what
I'm talkin' about! Ha, ha! Yas! Now it's really ready! No, baby, not now, I
can't come over there right now. Yeah, let's do it! [Party noises and shouting]
The joint is jumpin', It's really jumpin'! Every Mose is on his toes, I mean
this joint is jumpin'!
[Police whistle]
Uh-oh! No time for talkin', This
place is walkin', yes, Get your jug and cut the rug, I think the joint is
jumpin'. Listen!
Get your pig feet, bread and gin, There's plenty in the
kitchen! Who is that that just came in? Just look at the way he's switchin'!
[Spoken] Aw, mercy, Don't mind the hour, I'm in power. I've got bail if we
go to jail. I mean this joint is jumpin'! Don't give your right name, no, no,
no, no!

The rhythm of this song is a good representation of jazz, whish was a very popular and growing type of music during the Harlem Renaissance. The fast tempo and happy lyrics of the song reflect the celebratory attitude most people had in Harlem at the time. It is also humorous, which shows that the people of Harlem enjoyed relaxing and having fun with the people around them.

Background: Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement took place in the United States from 1955-1968. The purpse of the movement was to fight for racial equality and to destroy racial discrimination. Issues over voting rights and being given the same opportunity as everyone else were also frequently discussed topics between African Americans at this time. While African Americans fought for their freedom and equality, they were surrounded by discrimination and segregation. Through the boycotts, protests, and sit-ins, this movement became known for a time of mass violence. Fortunately, these demonstrations worked. The Civil Rights Movement played a major role in the desegregation of the country and gave African Americans many of the basic rights they had been fighting for. During this era, many artists, writers, and musicians played their part in the movement by expressing their ideas through their work and conveying their message about segregation and discrimination. This work helped many Americans get a better picture of what African Americans were fighting for and strengthened the support for change.

Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas joined the Harlem Renaissance movement in the mid 1920's. He became very interested in African art, and studied different African styles. These African styles are very evident in most of his drawings depicting the lives of African Americans. Many of these drawings also became murals. One of these drawings is "Into Bondage.

In this picture, Douglas illustrates an enslaved African American. By depicting the past, this picture is a reminder to African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance of why they are fighting for equality. It also strengthens the bond between African Americans and shows them the importance of breaking free from the chains and having freedom and independence. Unlike most artwork from the Harlem Renaissance, this picture is very gray, showing the contrast between the grim past and the bright and plentiful present and future. There is also a thin sliver of light shining through on the picture, representing the hope of freedom that gave the enslaved men and women the strength they needed to survive.

Nella Larsen

Nella Larsen was a female African American writer who published some of her greatest literary works in the 1920's and 1930's. Today, many people associate her work with the Harlem Renaissance.

In Nella Larsen's first semi-autobiographical novel, Quicksand the main character is facing the issues that come with having a white mother and a black father. The book takes us through her life as she moves to different parts of the world and learns how different cultures react to her skin color. Her journey moves from being in an all-black school in the South, to Harlem, to Denmark, where surprisingly, her skin color is seen as exotic and beautiful. Quicksand illustrates some of the racial restrictions that many African Americans had to deal with in this era and portrays some of the harsh judgements put on African Americans that those involved in the movement were working to destroy.

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes is a writer that is known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. One of his poem's was called I Too, Sing America.

I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to
eat
in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat
well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When
company
comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the
kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be
ashamed--
I, too, am America.

In this poem, Langston Hughes is talking about being black in America and how even though he is black, he still loves his country and is very much a part of it. He discusses how society continues to put him down, but how he is still getting stronger. He also says that he doesn't let the words of others discourage him anymore and that he sees a good future for African Americans. Not only did this poem reflect the thoughts and beliefs of many of the African Americans involved in the Harlem Renaissance; it also gave them hope for the future and strength to continue their uphill battle for equality and freedom.

Background: Harlem Renaissance

Taking place in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Harlem Renaissance was a great literary and artistic movement that was connected to the New Negro movement. Although the Harlem Renaissance was widespread, Harlem was the capital of the movement. This era was seen as a time consisting of celebration, optimism, laughter, expression, and passion. Through their work, artists, musicians, and writers hoped to prevent racial prejudice, create plans for the future, and stress the need for change. Even with this movement ending as the struggles leading up the the Great Depression increased, many artists, musicians, and writers continued to work to express their beliefs and ideas that became famous in Harlem. It is now said that some of the best African American authors and artists came out of this era.