Harlem Renaissance Influence

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The Harlem Renaissance was an African-American cultural movement of the 1920s and 30s, centered in Harlem,New york that commemorated black traditions, voices and ways of life.Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50-year career. He was a major figure in the history of jazz music and a huge contributor to the Harlem Renaissance with his creative musical style called "Swing". Swing was a new style of music that shifted the norm of typical jazz of the time.The music of Duke Ellington helped enhance the musical style that was already in New York by adding his own style and rhythm giving African Americans their own music without facing racism, which was present in the south and …show more content…
Its location in the communications capital of North America helped give the “New Negroes” visibility and opportunities for publication, not evident elsewhere.”(Brittanica)The hardships in north and south were severe. It took the environment of the new American city to bring in close proximity some of the greatest minds of the day. Harlem brought notice to the great works that might otherwise have been lost or never produced. The artists of the Harlem Renaissance undoubtedly transformed African American culture. But the impact on all American culture was equally strong. For the first time, white America could not look away.“Unfortunately, northerners did not welcome African Americans with open arms. While the legal systems of the northern states were not as obstructionist toward African American rights, the prejudice among the populace was as acrimonious. White laborers complained that African Americans were flooding the employment market and lowering wages.”The Harlem Renaissance helped put African Americans on the map.Writers, actors, artists, and musicians glorified African American traditions, and at the same time created new ones. African Americans added themselves into American culture, despite white