The place: New York, Harlem
The time: 1920s and 1930s
The Harlem Renaissance was a social/cultural/creative revival that centered on African American culture and originated in Harlem, New York city, NY. Imagine bustling streets, streetcars, fancy automobiles, and smoky clubs playing the new “Jazz” and “Swing”. There was art and literature, discussion and ideas everywhere. It was a time full of music and dance, art and science, new ideas, new politics, and new technology. Most of all there were new opportunities for a community that had lacked any real opportunities in the first place. The air was practically electrified with it.
What follows is a compilation of fictional narratives, based on historical fact, from people who were either key participants in, or key influencers of this cultural revolution. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of significant development for African American culture that would shape American History forever.
In no way do any of the authors claim subject matter expertise. This is a project for a United States History 1865-Current class (Spring-2011, section 13), at the University of Texas at Arlington. In no way does any opinion expressed here reflect the opinions or views of the school.
-Gabriel Settle
Group Leader, Student
20 February 2011
