The Harlem Renaissance movement was led by a group of DREAMERS. The artists, writers, musicians, singers, educators, and activists of the time had to be inspired by vivid dreams of a better America because they injected innovative and fresh ideas into the American culture, in spite of racial segregation. Although Harlem was the epicenter of their dreams, the impact of these “dreamers” has had a global and sustainable impact on music, art, and literature. In addition, their avant-garde approach to social literature (“writin is fightin”) sent especially strong political blows to a society that was not so accepting of African Americans – once upon a time – but the dream lives on today.
Analyze the poems of Langston Hughes and the artwork of Jacob Lawrence. Interpret their dreams and/or explain their work. What are your dreams?
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes
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Jacob Lawrence
DREAMY DREAMS DREAMED
Dreams came from the souls of pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance. Their vivid imaginations have inspired people throughout the world. We will peek into their dreams by analyzing the work of prominent figures of this time period, such as, Jacob Lawrence, Langston Hughes and others. We hope students will understand that all their dreams can come to fruition with perserverance, dedication and lots of imagination
WELCOME
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Learn More
Are you interested in learning more about the Great Migration of African Americans to the North - particularly to Harlem? If so, check out http://suitcasescience.weebly.com/ for more information. This site was created by students to explain the factors that led to one of the greatest population shifts in our history and the affect it has had on the world.
SPEECH TO THE YOUNG
Gwendolyn Brooks was a famous, post Harlem Renaissance poet from Chicago that was deeply inspired by Langston Hughes as a child - just like many of you. She was the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for her second book of poetry, "Annie Allen
The rapid growth of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance was due to:
Graduation
Jacob Lawrence