Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance symbolized a time when African American expression rose and proliferated; poets, artists, and writers began to create more material and unique works of art and literature. I believe one facet that made this epoch so prominent was the fact that most of these African American influencers conveyed their community, heritage, and lifestyles honestly, with integrity and without shame. I agree with Langston Hughes on how the African American community should have been represented – faithfully, instead of molded to fit a criterion, because “no great poet has ever been afraid of being himself” (The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain, Hughes).

According to Hughes, African American writers and artists should not play into stereotypes established by Whites nor attempt to portray an elevated Black community through their work. Instead, the beauty and ugliness should be illustrated, like any human being or culture represent. Hughes believes that some African American poets must surpass a “mountain,” which denotes the desire to deny racial individuality and fit “into the mold of American standardization” (The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain, Hughes). For example, throughout his poem, he writes soulfully and emphasizes the sounds of jazz; “He made that poor piano moan with melody./ O Blues!” (The Weary Blues, Hughes). Hughes depicts a worn black jazz musician feeling troubled and melancholy yet still playing beautiful music, corresponding to the musician’s emotions.

On the other hand, Black poet Countee Cullen draws little connection from African tradition or culture for his writings and, instead, seems to prefer sourcing his inspiration from White poets such as Robert Frost or John Keats. He alludes to Greek mythology throughout some of his work, mentioning how “tortured Tantalus/ Is baited by the fickle fruit” and how Sisyphus is doomed “To struggle up a never-ending stair” (Yet Do I Marvel, Cullen). 

Though no error lives in poetry stemming from either American or African culture, I admire most how Hughes encapsulates African American reality through African American perspective. Not only does he inspire others with his literature, but he adds valuable art to a powerful, changing era in the most transparent way possible.