Unjust treatment amongst the colored race inevetably caused the uprising of the Harlem Renaissance. Prior to the Harlem Renaissance, the Jim Crow Laws were actively enforced. These laws remained in existence for more than a decade. The duration in which the laws were still in use lasted for a little over a century. Originating from previous practices the Jim Crow laws began in the late 1800s. Following after the black codes, the birth of the Jim Crow laws were greatly influenced by those sets of laws. Black codes mimicked trends of normal restrictions placed upon people whose hierarchical status wasn’t of great significance. Black codes state specific regulations and time frames regarding how freed slaves could work. As these codes became more widely known it influenced the start of what are the Jim Crow laws.
Jim Crow laws were simply a newer form of black codes. Both sets of laws contained their own similarities and differences. In comparison to the black codes, Jim Crow laws fully excluded one race in particular from places such as restaurants, schools, churches and more. On the other hand both sets of laws witheld unique differences. To differentiate one from the other both the black codes and the Jim Crow laws had divergent objectives. Black codes were enforced in order to have control over the lives of freed black individuals whereas Jim Crow laws were used in order to segregate colored from whites. Due to these laws which imposed strict limitations upon people of color many fled the area. The laws led to large amounts of racially segregated places in many different areas. For instance “northern whites had excluded blacks from seats on public transportation and barred their entry, except as servants, from most hotels and restaurants. When allowed into auditoriums and theaters, blacks occupied separate sections; they also attended segregated schools. Most churches, too, were segregated”.
Blacks were denied as it benefited people who were not colored like them. In a regular environment, colored individuals weren’t allowed around whites unless they were working for them. Fleeing these circumstances allowed people of color to freely explore their heritage. This also marked a time in history known as the “Great Migration”. “Fifty years after the United States outlawed slavery African Americans fled the South in huge numbers in a movement that became known as the Great Migration.” Resettling in northern cities, where they sought better lives, employment, some degree of social equality, and an escape from daily violence, the migrants (numbering approximately 500,000 in the first wave, from 1916 to 1919) did find more opportunities in the North, where they transplanted some of the most vibrant aspects of their culture. In building and discovering the foundation of African American culture a period in history known as the “Harlem Renaissance” came about, also reffered to as the “New Negro Movement”. This time period related to the categories of arts, music, and much more. Individuals during this era took the time to set free the artistic abilities within them whether it be music, literature, poetry or anything related to fine arts in order to express their insignificance.
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Writers along with artists of African American descent united themselves as they began to uncover the true meaning of who they were and how their background contributed to their individuality. Art was more of an escape to those who felt captured, trapped, mute, restricted, and lost. It was used as a way for colored people to express themselves in ways that many others could understand and relate to. There were many iconic figures during the Harlem Renaissance that made a lasting impact on history. One of many figures was Langston Hughes, an individual who contributed greatly to this time as he granted many people much of his knowledge through his writing. His writing was based on equalitiy, prejudice behavior, and various injustices within the system. Hugues strayed away from basic traditions and created his own way of voicing the poor treatment of the black community. In doing so he became one of the most significant individuals of this time period due to the simple fact that he made himself stand out. Colored people used this time to create a voice for themeselves as well.
Fortunately, some stories received great recognition just like the story of Augusta Savage. “After being rejected for a summer art school in France because of her race, she appealed to the press. Her story appeared in newspapers. While she never did receive the scholarship, she did focus public scrutiny on the problem.” In many cases receiving recognition of course didn’t put a stop to the problem but what it did do is raise awareness and draw attention to the situation. Unlike many other time periods in history, women didn’t hold as much significance as men much less any at all. For example, women couldn’t rule it was always the men. If a woman had a daughter and a son, the son would always get the position over the daughter. It was normal for men to be superior and for women to be the inferior ones. Women had no rights as far as voting, owning property, marriage, and more. One thing that is significantly different about the Harlem Renaissance is that women were praised by many for their performances in theater and music. This was a turn in history due to the fact that women normally weren’t valued. They were often looked down on and restricted to household chores only. It is evident that the Harlem Renaissance didn’t only shine light upon the African American race but also on women. This movement had multiple lasting effects on history many of which created better opportunities.
A few important female figures during this time was Savage Augusta, Smith Bessie, and Hurston Zora Neale. These females have played a very important role in the development of the Harlem Renaissance. Savage Augusta was a sculptor during the time of the Harlem Renaissance as she prospered in the area of art. She was also an advisor during this time. As Savage Augusta persued two carrers she became a very well known leader of this era. “She produced over 130 sculptures in clay, plaster, wood, and bronze won significant awards, and exhibited her work at prestigious salons in Paris and in numerous galleries in the United States”. “Savage's sculptures include realistic portrait busts of Harlem leaders and ordinary people from the African diaspora, religious and classical/mythological themes, genre scenes, metaphorical, abstract pieces, and commemorative statues”. After being rejected from an arts program due to her race that exclusion turned into a turning point in her life which came with great success. Smith Bessie, another female leader during this time period gained recognition from her. musical talent. She used her voice to express various topics relating to adoration. On the stage sharing her beautiful voice with others, she received the name “Empress of the Blues”. “As she sang, her rich voice and personal intensity spoke directly and emotionally of common folks' troubles, and she would move listeners deeply with both her message and her passionate delivery”.
Bessie Smith had a lot of success in her career where she vocalized different messages and brought awareness to the genre of jazz music. Jazz had a big influence in the Harlem Renaissance. “No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped America and the entire world as much as jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers”. Smith’s music continues to win over new fans, and collections of her songs have continued to sell extremely well over the years. She has been a primary influence for countless female vocalists — including Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin — and has been immortalized in numerous works”. Similar to these successful women, Hurston Zora Neale triumphed in her career as an anthropologist and author. “ Zora Neale Hurston was best known for her collection of African American folklore Mules and Men (1935) and her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), in which she chartered a young African American woman's personal journey”. This time period greatly impacted history and changed a lot of things that go on in the world.
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