The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, where African American literature, art, and music flourished. This was sparked by the Great Migration, where many African Americans moved north for more opportunities. Jazz and blues music grew popular during this time through artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston also rose to prominence, exploring themes of urban African American life and identity through works like Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

1. Harlem Renaissance African-American Culture in the 1920s Standard 11.5.5

2. Harlem —New York City neighborhood Renaissance —”rebirth” of culture Harlem Renaissance — flowering of African American literature, music, and art

3. The Harlem Renaissance Causes “ The New Negro” Movement African Americans are characterized as self-assertive, racially conscious, articulate, and, for the most part, in charge of what they produced. Great Migration The New Morality

4. Music: Jazz & Blues Jazz—improvisational style of music influenced by Dixieland music and ragtime Blues—soulful style of music that evolved from African American spirituals (themes: unfulfilled love, poverty, oppression) Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington Bessie Smith

5. Speakeasies and Harlem Nightclubs Cotton Club Music: Jazz & Blues Fought against racism through the communication of entertainment and intellect.

6. Literature Langston Hughes “ The Weary Blues,” “I, too, Sing America,” “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” Zora Neale Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God Writers’ Themes— Growing Urbanity, Sophistication, Alienation, Marginality

8. Langston Hughes “ The Negro Speaks of Rivers” Page 432

9. Langston Hughes “ The Negro Speaks of Rivers” Now, its your turn… Focus on one aspect of yourself and one common natural or manufactured item to write a free verse poem in the style of Hughes “ The High School Student Speaks of Trees” “ The Musician Speaks of Drums” Repetition Stanzas beginning with I plus an action verb