Essay Sample on Rise & Fall of Harlem Renaissance: Cultural Politics & Authenticity

American Popular Culture "Harlem Renaissance"

The Harlem Renaissance was a social, cultural, and artistic event that was witnessed in Harlem, New York, between 1910 and 1929 and was considered a period of rebirth for African- American arts. According to Alain Locke, 'it stands for a folk movement which in human significance can be compared only with the pushing back of the western frontier in the first half of the last century or waves of immigration which have swept from overseas in the last half' (Locke, pg. 78)). The rise and fall of the Harlem Renaissance demonstrated certain aspects of cultural authenticity and the idea that culture could be used as a political instrument, as well as the impact of the demands of the market upon cultural production.

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The Rise and Fall of The Harlem Renaissance

Harlem renaissance began in 1910 and lasted till 1929. During the Harlem Renaissance period, more attention was being paid to the black people in politics, national movements, and arts, among other sectors (Stanley, Lecture). For instance, Marcus Garvey played significant roles in this sociocultural movement. Black people who resided in Harlem began to acknowledge the importance of arts in redefining the place of the black people within the history of America (Schuyler, pg. 30). There was also a rising belief that the promotion of the marvelousness of the black culture and intellect were significant in eradicating the color line experienced in America (Stanley, Lecture).

Harlem Renaissance also grew because of the multiple transformations that were taking place during the era of the slave trade, together with the increased expansion of the African Northern American communities (Stanley, Lecture). Again, the Harlem Renaissance was also perpetrated by the increasing demand for better living conditions in the already developed cities (Lock, pg.78). This indicates that the need for jobs and equal treatment in the North had perpetrated the rise of the Harlem Renaissance.

The period was characterized by the movement of the black people from confines of the South to the Northern Cities where they could no longer experience the hostility meted on them as well as other bad conditions (Stanley, Lecture). The formation of an alliance between the black migrants and the Eastern European Jewish promoted the development of arts that was popular within the nation (Stanley, Lecture).

The fact that Harlem had been a major city for the European Jews and the Black migrants had created an opportune environment for the rise of the Harlem Renaissance since they all underwent poor treatments from the white Americans (Stanley, Lecture). The convergence between the Jews and the Eastern Europeans at Harlem had promoted the creation of a unique culture that fascinated many white inhabitants (Stanley, Lecture).

The fall of Harlem Renaissance was majorly because not all the black people believed that arts and culture could be adequate in erasing the cause of social justice and colour lines (Stanley, Lecture). Again, the class distinctions during the Harlem Renaissance also perpetuated the decline in the Renaissance, where the blacks disliked the emerging culture from the Renaissance, such as the jargon, whereas the white elite did.

Culture as a Political Instrument

The Harlem Renaissance turned cultural even though it had begun as a political event, and the political status of black Americans was raised through the production of various arts and literature (Stanley, Lecture). In the Harlem Renaissance, art had formed the basis for political protests where the blacks who inhabited New York had chosen culture over politics as a way of expressing themselves. This was orchestrated by the fact that the black people were never welcome to participate in direct politics in America.

Hughes et al., in their book note that 'More conservative black critics feared that realistic depictions of the black experience, or 'ghetto realism,' would delay the coming of racial equality, although the movement of the Harlem Renaissance was not political' (184). As several such artworks (such as Aaron Douglas' painting of a WWI black soldier) demonstrated that art and culture could be adopted as a political weapon, especially in protection against racial violence (Stanley, Lecture). The black Americans wanted not only to demonstrate their culture but also the political capabilities, experience and entire cultural heritage of the black Americans.

Cultural Authenticity/Inauthenticity in the Renaissance

The musicians, Authors, educators, artists as well as political activists of the Renaissance struggled with the best way to embody, reflect as well as create a more authentic culture for the black American community (Schuyler, pg. 28). One of the main challenges faced was how to offer literary portraits of various people and their lives without falling victims of the mostly white audience who had immensely stereotyped the black Americans (Stanley, Lecture).

The authenticity of various cultures was compromised through several manifestations such as the subversion of the existing images and languages through appropriating them for the intended audience as well as the creation of indigenous forms that were alternately intrinsic to particular cultural communities (Stanley, Lecture). For instance, the jazz music emanates from mixture of traditional African music, ragtime and blues.

As such, there was low understanding of it was related to the larger black communities and the multi-ethnic experiences of the United States following the Harlem Renaissance (Stanley, Lecture). For instance, Jazz that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance introduced a new style of music that incorporated improvisation and inescapable rhythm (Schuyler, pg. 28). This indicates that there was a significant alteration of the general cultural authenticity during the period of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Impact of the Demands of the Market upon Cultural Production

The talent and spirit of the Harlem Renaissance went far beyond the African intellectuals and writers. For instance, the black Americans within the performing arts had won a considerable following, thus contributing to the increased market demand (Stanley, Lecture). For example, the tenor Roland Hayes had risen to stardom, and Paul Robeson had become an actor whose performance of Shakespeare's Othello became widely acclaimed in New York (Schuyler, pg. 29).