What was the significance of the Harlem Renaissance?
The Harlem Renaissance was a time period where African Americans gained a rise status and
find their place and role in American society. This is significant because African Americans were
now able to identify their own accomplishments and the notable people within American society.
Who were some of the important figures (and what they were famous for) during the Harlem
Renaissance?
-James Weldon Johnson: He was the leader of the NAACP (National Advancement of Colored
People) which was created by a group of lawyers. They fought for African American rights by
using the court system.
-Thor Good Marshal: first Black supreme court justice
-Zor Neil Hurston: Actor and writer in the South, wrote about the african american experience in
the south
-Louis Armstong: trumpet player, most important musician in jazz music
-Duke Ellington: Jazz pianist, one of the best composers in American history
-Bessie Smith: famous African american blues singer, highest
paid African American singer at this time
-Langston Hughes: African American poet who wrote about the African American experience
from his perspective, poems famous not only in African American circles but also just in a
general literary circle everywhere
In the Poem, Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, what is the message (make sure you
included the "why")?
The message of the poem is that although being an African American is hard, you can't give
up and just sit on the "crystal stair." This poem is meant to inspire other African Americans who
may be having a hard time in America as there was much racism around this time. However, as
this poem was published during the Harlem Renaissance , Hughes is helping other blacks find
their voice and power in the society.
The Harlem Renaissance was a time period where African Americans gained a rise status and
find their place and role in American society. This is significant because African Americans were
now able to identify their own accomplishments and the notable people within American society.
Who were some of the important figures (and what they were famous for) during the Harlem
Renaissance?
-James Weldon Johnson: He was the leader of the NAACP (National Advancement of Colored
People) which was created by a group of lawyers. They fought for African American rights by
using the court system.
-Thor Good Marshal: first Black supreme court justice
-Zor Neil Hurston: Actor and writer in the South, wrote about the african american experience in
the south
-Louis Armstong: trumpet player, most important musician in jazz music
-Duke Ellington: Jazz pianist, one of the best composers in American history
-Bessie Smith: famous African american blues singer, highest
paid African American singer at this time
-Langston Hughes: African American poet who wrote about the African American experience
from his perspective, poems famous not only in African American circles but also just in a
general literary circle everywhere
In the Poem, Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, what is the message (make sure you
included the "why")?
The message of the poem is that although being an African American is hard, you can't give
up and just sit on the "crystal stair." This poem is meant to inspire other African Americans who
may be having a hard time in America as there was much racism around this time. However, as
this poem was published during the Harlem Renaissance , Hughes is helping other blacks find
their voice and power in the society.