HARLEM RENAISSANCE POETS

Harlem Renaissance Poets



Harlem Renaissance Poets

The Harlem Renaissance Period

Harlem Renaissance is a period which is characterized by cultural movement. The era in which Harlem Renaissance took place was from between 1920's to 1930's. This period captured the tense situation amidst the African-American expression and the impossibility of expression due suppression of expression in the American society. This period communicates a time that was promising and full of hope for the African-American artists. Their attempts were taken notice of and were appreciated at a larger scale in America. This period of Harlem Renaissance was known as the period of Jazz Age. It was the time when African-American musicians created a unique musical form that gained instant popularity across America. The Art and Music by African-Americans was widely acceptable and was liked by all. The acceptance of the work was deemed positive, as it was the acceptance of the African-American in US. This era was also termed as the New Negro Movement (www.loc.gov).

The Concept behind Double Consciousness

Harlem Renaissance is termed as an era which consisted of the concept of “double-consciousness”. It is a jargon that expresses a psychological dilemma. Double consciousness communicates the dilemma that an African-American artist was undergoing which was that should an Afro-American artist remain intact with its African roots, or is cultural assimilation an inevitable way (www.sociologyencyclopedia.com).

Two Prominent Poets during Harlem Renaissance Period

Langston Hughes

He was a poet based in America. He was not only a poet but a communist, as well. He was termed as an innovator of the new literary art form called jazz poetry. Langston is best known during Harlem Renaissance. Langston had a huge contribution towards the Harlem Renaissance and his poetic contribution highlighted the feelings, strength, culture and the creativity of the African-American community. Langston's contribution towards the Harlem Renaissance was tremendous. ...