Harlem Renaissance Essay Example for Free

Harlem Renaissance Essay I. Introduction The Atlantic slave trade caused the large movement of Africans across different parts of the world largely in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. This African Diaspora brought about eleven million of black people in the New World (P. Larson. â€Å"Reconsidering Trauma, Identity, and the African Diaspora: Enslavement and Historical Memory in Nineteenth-Century Highland Madagascar†). The descendants of those that were brought in the Americas, chiefly those in the United States working as slaves in the south, later experienced another diaspora: moving from the south to the north to escape the hardships brought about by intense racial discrimination. A large portion had settled in the city of Harlem, New York City which opened up a surge of excellent creative works done by blacks and became in vogue for some time. This period came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance, also variously known as the New Negro Movement, or the New Negro Renaissance. This was a period of outstanding creativity expressed in visual arts, writings, and music during this large movement of black population, wherein the African-American Diaspora has moved into larger cities. It changed the character of black American artworks, from conventional imitations of white artists to sophisticated explorations and expressions of black life and culture that revealed and stimulated a new confidence and racial pride. The movement centered in the vast black ghetto of Harlem, in New York City, thus the name of the movement. Harlem became the place of gathering for aspiring black artists, writers, and musicians, sharing their experiences and providing mutual encouragement for one another. The term Harlem â€Å"Renaissance† is a misnomer. If measured by quantity alone, it was more a birth than a â€Å"rebirth†, for never before had so many black Americans produced so much literary, artistic, and scholarly material at the same time. If measured by quality, however, it was actually a continuum, the quickening of a lively stream fed earlier by the important works of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, novelist and short story writer Charles W. Chestnutt, poet and novelist Hames Weldon Johnson and the essays of Du Bois. The Harlem Renaissance created a significant breakthrough, wherein it marked the first time wherein literary and artistic works done by African Americans gained in national attention and interest. Doors of opportunities were opened for such works to be publicized and presented to the general public, which before were not possible. Although its main achievement is found primarily in literature, it also bore the great African-American works in politics and other creative mediums such as visual art, music, and theater that explored different aspects of black American life (R. Twombly. â€Å"Harlem Renaissance†). II. Background and Discussion During the early part of the 1900s, Black Nationalism and racial consciousness began to emerge particularly during the 1920’s. One key factor that helped this development was the surfacing of the black middle class, which in turn were brought about by the increasing number of educated blacks who had found employment opportunities and a certain degree of economic advancement after the American Civil War (â€Å"Harlem Renaissance†). During World War I, thousands of black people left the depressed rural South for jobs in northern defense plants. Known as the Great Migration, more African Americans established themselves in cities such as Harlem, in New York City. They were socially conscious, and became a center of political and cultural development of the black Americans. This population created racial tensions over housings and employment that resulted in increased black militancy about rights, including vigorous agitation by the national Association for the Advancement of colored People (NAACP) and other civil rights organizations. Foremost for this black movement’s agenda, which was expressed in various mediums, is to clamor for racial equality. Championing the cause were black intellectuals W.E. B. Du Bois and Alain Locke. White responses to these developments were both negative and positive. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups reached their peak of northern popularity during the 1920’s. At the same time unprecedented white interest in racial maters created a large audience for black authors who began to settle in the district of New York City known as Harlem. Like other black ghettoes, Harlem was a new, untapped source of themes and materials, which partially accounts for its popularity among artists and intellectuals, but unlike other ghettoes it was a newly constructed, fashionable, residential section. Functioning as a kind of black mecca, Harlem’s excellent housing, its prestige, excitement, and cosmopolitan flavor, attracted a black middle class from which sprang its artistic and literary set. A. General Characteristics Not all works during this movement is militant in nature. However, participants and contributors in the Renaissance were intensely race-conscious, proud of their heritage of being black, and much in love with their community. Most of them, some more subtly than others, criticized racial exploitation. Partly as a tribute to their achievements and partly as a reflection of their racial self-awareness, the Renaissance members were collectively called â€Å"New Negroes†, also indicating that they had replaced the (largely white created) literary image of the comic, pathetic plantation Negro with the proud, busy, independent black man of the northern city. The â€Å"New Negroes† were generally integrationists, optimistically interpreting their own individual successes as harbingers of improvement in race relations. Acceptance from Harpers, Harcourt, Brace, Viking, Boni Livewright, Knopf, and other front-line publishers began coming through quick succession, boosting more optimism among African-American contributors of the Harlem Renaissance. Rather than depicting a new movement of style, the art during the Harlem Renaissance is united by their common aspiration of depicting and expressing in artistic form the African-American psyche and life. Common characteristics can be found among such works such as the birth of racial pride among black Americans. This called for tracing its roots and origin by taking attention and interest to the life of blacks primarily in Africa and South America. Also, such strong social and racial consciousness brought a strong desire for equality in the American society, both socially and politically. But one of the most common and significant characteristic of the Harlem Renaissance was the abundant production of a variety of creative expressions. Diversity was the main distinctive quality, brought about by an experimental spirit of the movement such as in music which ranged from blues, jazz, to orchestra music. B. Primary Artist of the Harlem Renaissance:   Aaron Douglas (1898-1979) The celebrated artist of the Harlem Renaissance was Aaron Douglas, who chose to depict the New Negro Movement through African images which bore â€Å"primitive† techniques: paintings in geometric shapes, flat, and rugged edges. In his works, Douglas wanted the viewers to know and recognize the African-American identity. As such, Aaron Douglas is often referred to as the â€Å"Father of African American Art†. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Douglas was able to finish his B.A degree. Moving to Harlem in 1925, Aaron immediately set to work, creating illustrations for prominent magazines of the Harlem Renaissance. Douglas was influenced in his modernist style under the tutelage of German artist Winold Reiss, a style which marked most of his celebrated works and incorporating both African and Egyptian strokes of illustration and design. It was Reis who encouraged Douglas to take African design into his works which became his trademark (â€Å"The Harlem Renaissance: Aaron Douglas†). Such manner of African â€Å"primitive† style caught the attention of the main proponents of the Harlem Renaissance, namely W.E.B. Dubois and Alain Locke who found Douglas’ works as an appropriate embodiment of the African-American heritage. They were encouraging young artists to depict their African legacy through their artworks. Even though at a time when DuBois stilled considered Henry Tanner more important, Douglas has fairly established a reputation as the leading visual artist of his time. Harlem Renaissance painters are united by the desire to promote and portray the life and condition of blacks, particularly African-Americans. However, at this point the similarity ends. Harlem Renaissance artworks are as varied in style as the artists themselves. Although like Douglas, most painters of this period received formal trainings and as such, their style and strokes are no different from other non-black artists. What only separate the artists of the Harlem Renaissance from others are their themes and subjects. III. Conclusion A. Ending and Significance As a conclusion, one of the strengths of the Harlem Renaissance was also a serious weakness. Because they were dependent on white patrons and viewers for popularity, black artists were not fully free to explore the mechanisms that perpetrated racial injustice, nor could they propose solutions unacceptable to whites. Furthermore, when the Great Depression dominated American life during the 1930’s, the whites, who had been the bulk of the Renaissance audience, concentrated on economics and politics, oblivious to black American suffering. American arts and letters took up new themes, and although the best artists continued to work, they ultimately lost popularity. The Great Depression drove many black artists to scatter; and were mostly forced to leave New York or to take other jobs to tide them over the hard times. Creativity was drowned by necessity. Nevertheless, despite its many weaknesses and disadvantages, the Harlem Renaissance was a milestone in black American culture and the basis for later achievements.

protest song report :: essays research papers

Report on Protest Song 'This Bomb has Got to Go' by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl. Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl were popular Folk musicians prior to and during the Vietnam War Era. They had a love of humanity and a great desire for justice and peace in the world. The subjects of their songs were real people in a real world. They wrote and sang about survival. Their lyrics were simple and sometimes traditional melodies formed the basis of their songs. Their musical equipment was mostly acoustic and they performed to large audiences throughout the world. They released many albums. A favourite peace march song around 1963 was 'That Bomb has Got to Go'. In this song Seeger and MacColl describe the feelings and relate the events surrounding the times of the 1960's when many nations were arming themselves for war and they warn of the dangers of using all bombs(including nuclear bombs)as weapons. This can be seen through such lyrics as 'fall out here and fall out there' and 'strontium ninety everywhere'. The song also describes their prophetic dream where the Prime Minister calls for disarmament in an over-crowded world and the Tories 'see the light'. The main points of the song tell about the size of the bomb and the number of people one bomb can kill. It tells of the hopes of old folk, children at school, and the newly-born Prince, all of whom have a plan to march to Trafalgar Square, London to protest 'That Bomb Has Got to Go!' The purpose of the song is to encourage the audience to take action and to attend the protest march which ends in the gathering of protestors at Trafalgar Square, London, where the politicians, the Queen, the Prime Minister would notice them and be forced to re-think their Defence Policies. The lyrics, 'I dreamed the Tories saw the light' and MacMillan (the Prime Minister) spoke in Parliament, 'let's stop this damned rearmament' indicate that the songwriters believed that their cause would result in successful disarmament and ban of nuclear bombs. Even the newly-born prince who could not yet walk was supposed to have said 'We're marching to Trafalgar Square, ... to declare 'THAT BOMB HAS GOT TO GO'. Because everyone, including babies and old folk were marching, the audience would have felt compelled to join in. They were being positioned to feel that it was normal to protest. The song appeals to all persons who want to see peace in an overcrowded world, to those who want to 'live to a ripe old age', and to those persons who practice 'the golden rule'.

Meaning of Life and Dream Boy Essay

â€Å"Dream Boy† is a song written by Natalia Genie, a high school student at A. S. T. Rafael Villeda, also known as â€Å"Faike†, was her inspiration. Faike was a 17-year old teenage boy who suffered from bone cancer. Faike was a very important person in Natalia’s life as well as in mine, and for many, many other people. During his struggles battling cancer, Natalia got inspired to write this song about him and his hard-hitting life fight. It’s a very emotive song, that has touched a lot of people’s hearts. It’s a song people listen to when missing or thinking about Faike. First, the title â€Å"Dream Boy† is an inspiration to believe in that no matter how hard life gets or how complicated it seems to be, you just can’t give up on your dreams. You have to dream big, try not to be so realistic in life. â€Å"I used to ask myself Why is this happening? Why were you the chosen one? And I used to believe that this was never goanna happen. But now I see it did† is the song’s lead. It tells you about how you never imagine someone you love and care about having a really severe and fatal illness. This verse represents the beginning of the journey when no one could understand that something so terrible could happen to someone so close to us and no one knew why it had to happen to him. The song continues with â€Å"And I bet it must be hard. And I know that you are strong. And you will stand up when you fall. † It’s a representation of the author having a conversation with Faike on how he inspires us and how proud we are of him because we all know his strength. Also, makes us realize that he is not a quitter and how he can fight to be in the top. The chorus goes like this â€Å"So Dream Boy, have faith in Him boy. He is taking care of you. So why don’t you dream, dream, Dream Boy. Why don’t you dream, boy dream. † It is one of the most important lines of the song that represents many things. When Natalia sings the word â€Å"Him† she is talking about God. Showing him God is by his side as well as all the people who care about him are. That God can make everything happen and we all should have faith in Him. She is also telling him to dream. Dream is a very broad word, but in this case it means to have faith that a miracle can come to light, to keep on living his life to the fullest. Also, that he should have big hopes and dreams and cancer can’t get in his way into becoming the best person he could be, and to achieve anything he wants in his life. â€Å"If you keep smiling your heart will brighten. And the joy will burn the pain. He gave you the heart of a lion to keep you strong and brave. † These verses imply if he gets all depressed about the fact he has bone cancer, he will even feel worse than the pain he has. So, if he believes that it’s over and that he lost his battle, he will worsen and feel that there is no point in even trying. Then again, if he lives like if the cancer was not there, he will feel better about himself and what is going on in his life. When the author wrote â€Å"Heart of a lion,† she gave double meaning to it. The first connotation is that the lion is the strongest in the animal kingdom, meaning he is brave, strong and a fighter. The second one is for his favorite team in the world â€Å"Olimpia,† being the lion the team’s mascot. â€Å"It’s a struggle what your going through. And you must fight with all your might. And I know that it’s scary and I know that it’s hard. But it’s fine. You’ll be alright. Cause he is by your side. He’s by your side. † These verse means that we really don’t know what he is going through but we know it’s harsh. It’s not something that is going to be cured from one day to another. It’s something really hard to get through and to battle with everyday of his life. So the only thing left to do is to fight with everything you’ve got. Besides all of that, he is going to be fine. If he dies, it’s going to be fine. It’s really sad, but he is going to be in a better place where pain is not felt anymore. If he survives, he will be with us and God will never leave his side. So he will always be fine, with or without us. â€Å"She is reaching out. They’re reaching out. We’re reaching out. You’re reaching out. He is reaching out. † Natalia uses the different pronouns to describe every different people reaching out for him. She is reaching out referring to Mother Mary. They’re reaching out means all the kids that are battling cancer all over the world. We’re reaching out is all the people that love him including family, friends, girlfriend and everyone praying for him. You’re reaching out refers to himself, Faike. He is reaching out means God. All for Faike to reach out for him to keep him going, to keep him trying; not to give up to win this horrible, painful, and ugly battle. In conclusion, â€Å"Dream Boy† is the song. It is Rafael Villeda’s song. Only for him, telling his life story and his tough battle. It symbolizes how strong he is, how a great fighter he is. When people listen to â€Å"Dream Boy† the only thing that pops in everyone’s head is Faike. Sadly Rafael Villeda passed away in November 20, 2012; it was the saddest day in a lot of people’s lives and we have this song to remember how strong of a person he was. He is an inspiration of perseverance and now he is our angel in heaven that showed us how to be a dreamer and a believer.

Financial Investment Climate of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Company Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The sales amount is recorded in the accounting books if there is a very high assurance that the customers will be able to pay their purchase liabilities within the foreseeable future. Likewise, the company includes the revenue amounts in the accounting books if the ownership of the company s medicine products had been transferred to the business customers. For example, the company records as revenues in the accounting records all stocks that had already left the company s seaport and kept inside the travelling planes, land, vehicles, or boats and are on the way (in transit) towards the company s current and future business clients (Beaver 13). When the revenues are recorded, there is an immediate reduction of the company s inventory amount. The inventory amount of the sold medicine products (possibly travelling towards the customers addresses) are recorded by taking into consideration the costs of the raw materials, the production workers salaries, and other production, admin, and m arketing expenses. For medicine products stored in the company s top distributors, the return of inventories classified as nearing their expiration dates will include as on the hand or current inventories of the company (Beaver 13). We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Investment Climate of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Company or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page