The Harlem Renaissance

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The Harlem Renaissance

• Literature was a major part of what was known as
  the New Negro Movement.
• Many Famous Authors arose from this period.
• One famous author was.

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James Langston Hughes
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A Brief history

• Born February 1, 1902
• Born in Joplin Missouri
• Hughes Attended Central High School in Cleveland
  Ohio.
• In eighth grade elected class poet.
• Went to Columbia University
• Studied Engineering (dropped with a B average)
• Continued writing poetry

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History Continued

• Publishes a Negro Speaks of Rivers
• Writings appear in the Crisis.
• Traveled to Senegal, Nigeria, Angola
• 1924 returns to Harlem
• Writes the Weary Blues
• Receives Scholarship to Lincoln University
• Receives his B.A.
• Dies on May 22, 1967

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His Works

• Hughes wrote over fifty poems and several short
  stories. He was one of the most important writers
  and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance. His works
  helped shape America. Two of his most famous
  works are
• A Negro Speaks of Rivers
• I Too Sing America

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The Negro Speaks of Rivers

• I've known rivers I've known rivers ancient as
  the world and older than the flow of human blood
  in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the
  rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns
  were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it
  lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and
  raised the pyramids above it. I heard the
  singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went
  down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
  bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I've
  known rivers Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul
  has grown deep like the rivers.

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I too

•   I, too, sing America.I am the darker
  brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen
  company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And
  grow strong.Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen
  company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in
  the kitchen,"Then.Besides,They'll see how
  beautiful I amAnd be ashamed--I, too, am
  America.