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Li 5

Lyn Li

Mr.Connolly

US.History

11/12/18

African American Art

Question 1

Langston Hughes was one of the most popular African American poets. He was born in a complicated circumstance where his great-grandfather was a White Slave owner while his great-grandmother was a slave. Hughes is determined as one of the individuals who were essential in the establishment of jazz poetry. Hughes wrote a series of poems that reflected on the life of the African Americans. He is famously known for his participation in the Harlem Renaissance.

Question 2

“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” is one of Hughes’ most influential and popular poems. In this poem, Hughes specifically uses rivers as a symbolism to represent the ancestry of African Americans. In the second line of the poem, he claims that “I’ve known rivers ancient as the world” (Wintz 439). In his use of rivers to represent the ancestry of the Black community, he implies that the lineage of the Black people can be traced back to the beginning of the world. One of the main themes in the poem is the aspect of freedom. Hughes tries to depict the fact that the path of the Black community is set by lack of freedom. In the poem, Hughes highlights that “I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it” after claiming that he built his hut around the Congo (Wintz 439). This implies that he was moving from down the Congo up the Nile river, which is the route that was mostly taken by slaves when they were taken from their African homes. This theme is vital for African Americans because it helps to reflect on the fate of African Americans before moving to the United States. This theme is also vital for the Harlem renaissance since it helps to provide the justification of the Harlem Renaissance.

Question 3

Michael Jackson was one of the most famous pop musicians in the world until his death in 2009. He was mostly known for his humanitarian activities by offering donations to help the needy people in the society. Most of his songs were inspired by the desire for a better world of harmony. Michael Jackson broke many music records making him one of the most successful and influential African American Musicians. Michael Jackson donated most of his earnings from her songs to poor children and organizations that worked to improve the conditions of the poor children. Michael Jackson grew up in a family of musicians making it easier to nurture his talent and become one of the most renowned Musicians. Michael Jackson faced various challenges in his music career such as critics who challenged his integrity. However, Michael Jackson was loved by many people across the world due to his songs and his humanitarian activities.

Black or White was one of Michael Jackson’s most popular songs. This song insisted that it does not matter whether one is Black or White in order to be involved in issues of the society. In part of his lyrics, he claims that “But, if you're thinkin' about my baby, It doesn't matter if you're black or white” (Kitcher 12). Most fans were attracted to the song due to Michael Jackson’s performance. He was known to be one of the greatest on-stage performers in terms of live performance. However, many people also liked the song due to its message. It was termed as an inspirational song that was meant to bring people together by enabling them to overlook their differences. Michael Jackson called upon people to conserve the environment and live together in harmony.

The main theme of the song is equality. Michael Jackson perceived that it was important for individuals to overlook their differences and treat each other equally. This was due to the increase in cases of discrimination in the American society. This theme has a special implication to the members of the African American community. This is because these individuals have faced instances of discrimination over the years. Members of the Black community have experienced discrimination for many years. This was due to the perceptions of some members of the White community that Black people are not the same as White people hence they do not need to be included in the society. This is the same perception that resulted in the existence of slavery in the United States. However, facilitating equality is the best way in which the cultural issues that have affected the African Americans can be addressed. In part of his lyrics, he claims that “And I told about equality and it's true, Either you're wrong, or you're right” (Kitcher 12). Seemingly, the aspect of equality also has significance to the Harlem Renaissance. The main objective of the Harlem Renaissance was to facilitate equality in the United States and also create chances for the African American writers. During this period, the lack of equality in the United States caused the discrimination of the African American together with other minority groups. The Harlem Renaissance marked the onset of equality and the end of discrimination in the United States.

Question 4

The Harlem Renaissance refers to the explosion of social, artistic, and intellectual discourses that took place in Harlem, New York. The Harlem renaissance attracted many African American Artists from both the North and the South. This was the first free convention of African American artists since the end of slavery. They addressed many issues that affect African American Artists and how these issues were related to the nature of discrimination of the American society. The Harlem Renaissance had various impacts on the African American people. It helped to enlighten individuals regarding the actual meaning of race and ethnicity in the American society (Huggins 175). This was at an age where the aspects of race and ethnicity sparked differences among individuals. Most individuals perceived race in terms of the superior races and the minority races. However, the Harlem Renaissance helped to change this perspective of racer among African Americans. It helped to change their perspective on the fact that they were the minority race compared to their White counterparts. The Harlem Renaissance also helped to raise awareness on how it felt to be discriminated in the United States (Bloom 92). Most of the writers in the Harlem Renaissance wrote about some of the challenges that African Americans encountered in their struggle to cope in the discriminative society. The renaissance helped the American society to understand these challenges and perceive some of the strategies that could be implemented to enhance inclusivity. With time, the impacts of the Harlem Renaissance were felt across the United States. These impacts resulted in changes that were aimed to make the United States a more accepting society for all ethnic groups.

Works Cited

Bloom, Harold. The Harlem Renaissance. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2004. Print.

Huggins, Nathan, I. Voices from the Harlem Renaissance. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995. Print.

Kitcher, Mavis. Junior Graphic: Issue 480 February 17-23 2010. Accra: Graphic Communications Group, 2010. Print.

Wintz, Cary, D. Analysis and Assessment, 1980-1994. New York: Taylor & Francis, 1996. Print.