The Politics of the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was a social and cultural movement that attempted to gain recognition of the humanity and equal dignity of African Americans through arts and letters. Leaders argued over whether self-expression or propaganda ought to be the priority of artists in the movement, while figures opponents offered competing political visions. We will evaluate the intersections between key artists and figures of the movement and political activism in the time period. Will look at the role of civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and the Urban League as well as the shape that politics took for those in marginalized positions.