African American Culture - Essay Example

ESSAY2_HUM200 Harlem Renaissance, the outburst of intellectual life of African American community unofficially started in 1920s and ended in 1930s. Harlem Renaissance or New Negro Movement deeply influenced African American culture, especially Art and Literature. The Harlem, near to the New York City was the centre of this movement. It resulted in a number of works in Art and literature by middle class Black American musicians, Artists and writers. As the African- American culture is deeply rooted in rituals and beliefs from African continent, one can easily identify the same in African American music and other genres of Art. Thesis statement: An attempt to unveil the influence of Harlem renaissance on African American culture, especially on music. Music and development of African American Culture African American culture is closely related to different genres of music and it deeply influences the American culture. For instance, the Jazz music which spread rapidly in 1920 symbolizes Harlem Renaissance characteristics. Later, Jazz was accepted as people’s music beyond Black music or Harlem Renaissance. When Jazz music acquired acceptance, its popularity as an innovative music genre helped the development of African American culture. Now, the popularity of Jazz music is not limited to the sphere of Harlem Renaissance or African American culture. Instead, it represents the American culture as a whole. From another angle of view, Harlem Renaissance music flourished with the help of music clubs that experimented on jazz music. For instance, Duke Ellington was a famous figure in Jazz music who strived hard to improve the same. So, the influence of Harlem Renaissance music on African American culture, especially Jazz music helped to consider music beyond a medium of expression but a lifestyle. Here, three works from different disciplines are selected to discuss the role of music in the development of African American culture. They are: Music The musical compositions by Duke Ellington, the Jazz musician represent Harlem Renaissance spirit. For instance, his famous composition namely Soda Fountain Rag is so popular and is closely related to the spirit of Harlem Renaissance. Painting The paintings by Jacob Lawrence represent the Harlem Renaissance spirit. For instance, The Migration Series portrays the experiences of African American community in America. Poetry The works of Gwendolyn B. Bennett, especially the poem To Usward portrays the Harlem Renaissance spirit of African American community. For instance, the writer made use of the image of ginger jar to portray the unity of African Americans. African music is a common theme in Bennett’s works. Ideas expressed through Harlem Renaissance music The exponents of Harlem Renaissance made use of different types of ideas to express their emotions. Among this, the Harlem Renaissance music deeply influenced other modes of expression. For instance, the black music which consists of unique but popular rhythms and themes from the African continent inspired literature and art. For instance, Hughes made use of the rhythm of Jazz music in literature. Besides, the idea of political awareness and racial pride were important themes which helped the artists, composers and writers to express their views. Political awareness and racial pride became more important at the time of World War I and its following years. To be specific, the Harlem Renaissance was an attempt to express the views of African American community through artistic accomplishments. The experiences of African Americans in a different cultural background and their attempt to recapture cultural characteristics helped them to express emotions through Harlem Renaissance music. Paul Allen Anderson in the work ‘Deep river: music and memory in Harlem Renaissance thought’ opines that the critics and artists related to Harlem Renaissance opined that it helped the African American community to recapture their social memory and will be helpful to express their achievement through music, literature and art (Anderson 2). It is also an attempt to recapture past days of African American life. So the ideas expressed through music during Harlem Renaissance helped the African American community to inspire literature and art. Harlem Renaissance ideas and its influence on new group identity The Harlem Renaissance ideas represent the past of African Americans who were enslaved from the African continent to work in American farms. When these past stories of slavery and hardship spread through different forms of expression, it resulted in racial pride and a new group identity. As the Harlem Renaissance genres became popular beyond its limited sphere of African American community in Harlem, the artists began to ponder upon its scope on political propaganda and fight against racism. So the ideas put forth by Harlem Renaissance coordinated the African American community into a well knit group with similarity in thought and expression. Harlem Renaissance ideas and its larger goals The Harlem Renaissance ignited the idea of socio-political and economic freedom of African Americans in America. The scope of Harlem Renaissance ideas cannot be limited to the sphere of literature, art and music. But it extends to other fields like political, social, economic, and educational rights of African Americans. To an extent, the Harlem Renaissance was the outburst of the feelings of African Americans and an innovative mode of expression of cultural aspects. Besides, the Harlem Renaissance ideas helped the African American community to unite and fight for a common purpose. In addition, it helped to attain social and political development in the main stream of American society. For instance, Harlem Renaissance inspired the African Americans to migrate from Southern parts to other parts of the United States. Moreover, Harlem Renaissance popularized the concept of ‘New Negro’ and initiated the fight/protest against racial segregation and discrimination. Eleonore van Notten in the work ‘Wallace Thurmans Harlem Renaissance, Volume 93’ makes clear that the younger generation which represents Harlem Renaissance considered the same as an effort to attain achievement in the field of art and eventually to the protest against racism (Notten 19). So, the Harlem Renaissance ideas helped the African American community to attain larger goals like social, political and economic equality in American society. Summing, Harlem Renaissance music deeply influenced African American culture and way of life. The influence of Harlem Renaissance music cannot be limited to any specific genre. Instead, it deeply influenced all other important fields, especially literature and art. The popularity of Harlem Renaissance ideas helped the African American community to be a well knit group and to express their cultural characteristics. In addition, the Harlem Renaissance ideas taught the African American community about unity and its importance in the struggle for social, political and economic equality. Bibliography Anderson, Paul Allen. Deep river: music and memory in Harlem Renaissance thought. The United States of America: Duke University Press, 2001. Notten, Eleonore van. Wallace Thurmans Harlem Renaissance, Volume 93. The Netherlands: Rodopi, 1994. Read More