The Harlem Renaissance is a social movement that brought a new identity to the African Americans. It showcased the idea that black Americans are just as brilliant, artistic, creative, and intellectually capable as the White Americans. During the Harlem Renaissance, African Americans were accepted and tolerated while the White Americans financed the Harlem Renaissance. Primarily these white Americans financed the Harlem Renaissance and were highly interested in what was being produced at the time while particularly enjoying the shows that existed in this epoch. In fact in the reading “The Harlem Renaissance, Watson characterizes this era as “the New Negro” movement which embraced African American literature, poets, and jazz musicians among other talented acts (Watson, 8). The rise of the Harlem Renaissance began in the wake of the World War I, flowered during the prohibition era and died with the onset of the Depression.
African Americans were allowed to freely express and show their capabilities without judgments and unprecedented gestures of acceptance. This has extended far beyond the existing social status of the particular race. They were given equal footing, if not higher standing, to establish their identity not as inferiors but individuals with remarkable talents and skills. They thrived in the fields of music, arts, and films. The phenomenon produced famous entertainers, musicians, photographers, poets, and writers. However, one cannot understand the Harlem Renaissance without acknowledging the impact of social scientist and political leader W.E.B. Du Bois. W.E.B Du Bois wrote the Talented Tenth and founded the NAACP where he was able to capture the high capabilities that African Americans can achieve at the time (Watson, 18). Through is piece, “The “Talented Tenth” he describes the likelihood of one in ten African American perusing a leadership role. Moreover, he fought for equal education for all. However, through the movement it is arguable that Du Bois missed the point, although education was an important topic of the era, the need to control labor was more prevalent. (Corey, lecture, 5/24/18).
The Harlem Renaissance was a place for art and entertainment. But the Harlem Renaissance was not just a mere time for the Negros to celebrate their talents but it was the festivities of change, which was never short-lived. It resulted into a new movement, which is an inspiration for the permeation toward social change and an accommodating culture. It broke firm stigma as well as divided views when it comes to the possibility of the future especially in the codes of conduct that the society is inclined to abide by. The influence was tainted by a period where Negros are given the chance to show their identity with a solid integrity without any form of bias solely based on their color.
It is a clear that white Americans supported a movement for the welfare of African Americans. Funding the Harlem Renaissance was also a grand act of A'Lelia Walker. To elaborate further, Watson described it using the words of Max Ewing saying, “You have never seen such clothes as millionaire Negroes get into. They are more gorgeous than a Ziegfeld finale.” (Watson, 119). This is indicative of the drastic change in the movement. Rights were not only leveled but there are brought to what is considered the higher class in the society. From this point of view, the movement has therefore caused and may continue to cause positive ripple of effects in the society’s culture regardless of the intentions of the white Americans who was one of the reasons why the movement was a success (Corey, lecture, 5/17/18). The doubts are outweighed by the impact of the Harlem Renaissance in the history. Hence, “the new plaything” as referred to by McKay proved to be nothing short of a success to unveil the potentials of tolerance when it comes to races and nationality. It is a cultural momentum that has changed the solid stigma against black Americans.
The Wall Street Crash in October 1929 highlighted the fall of the Harlem Renaissance. More specifically, stated by Watson, “The Crash ushered in a period in which white patrons attended to more immediately pressing financial matters than their support of Negro writers” (Watson 157). The Harlem Renaissance was a landmark for the Black Americans since they are given high regard by those who belong to the race with which they are highly in conflict with. This is even emphasized, as bi- and homosexuality were also included in the whole picture. Claude McKay was one of the key figures who had the opportunity at the same time doubted this social movement. McKay even expected that the phenomenon is not in essence what it seems and thus would not last long enough for more generations to witness. However, this was not the case. Although the Harlem Renaissance, together with those who financed the same, was criticized by many, it became a channel and a wheel to steer from a blind stigma (Corey, lecture, 5/24/18). It became a legitimate platform for the Negros to establish an identity that was never given to them. Even if the discrimination continues to manifest after the renaissance, there will always exist a frame of reference for others to go back to. It is a solid evidence to support that such phenomenon is possible, as it had happened before.
McKay may have been right about the financers getting tired of such act but it cannot anymore be considered as a petty show, which will eventually be forgotten by its audience. It brought cultural change. There is a sense of permanence when it comes to such change that Harlem Renaissance becomes one of the momentous periods for the Negros. They have succeeded in utilizing the opportunity to show or even unleash their full potentials, which are worthy of the world’s attention. There is a social and cultural fluidity in the course of what may seem to be an experiment or an entertainment for the White Americans who funded the renaissance. What is known to be unwittingly founded social change has become a solid ground to prove how anyone regardless of race and heritage can rise to the top if only given the right opportunity, chances, and acceptance.
The effects of the Harlem Renaissance are even evident and enjoyed today. Numerous black American have penetrated in different fields from the limelight in the motion pictures to sports. Their talents and skills are now valued and given regard and authentic respect. They are regarded as individuals who belong and who has the right to enjoy the same opportunities as those from other race. The movement may have not continued as how it was before. It was also tainted with countless criticisms, which attempted to discredit the value of the movement. Nonetheless, it perfectly delivered an important message not only to the Americans