The Harlem Renaissance was an interesting period of time due to the fact that black artists were able to represent themselves and their community in different versions of art. The most influential art being Jazz, as it represented something unfamiliar to the public eye. Throughout most of recorded history black people lived within America, but still struggled with their identity, which is why the Harlem Renaissance was so crucial. There are many artists we still refer back to today, one of those being Langston Hughes. Hughes, along with many other black artists during this period of history believed they had to set themselves apart in the entertainment. Other black artists had differing opinions regarding this topic. They believed that they should be seen as an artist separate from the community.
In my opinion, I believe that one should write about what they personally enjoy, rather than something bigger than they are. In other words, artists should stay true to themselves regardless of the need to make a stand. If an artist’s personal interests happened to be the need for change so be it. I believe that the Harlem Renaissance changed the way America looked at African Americans in a different light than before, a better and brighter light.
African-American artists started living through their art and continued to show America what they had not seen before. Artists such as Countee Cullen thought that black artists needed to achieve a stance in society. I believe the Harlem Renaissance helped black artists find a voice in a community where they had not had one before. During this time period artists’ achievements increased. Black artists were given the opportunity to be recognized and commended.
Yet Do I Marvel is another piece that deal with the concept at hand. Hughes and Cullen were similar artists, but also differ in concepts and variation. They both have similar creative intentions and use their art to make a change in the community.
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