Sunday, December 9, 2007
"Why is studying the Harlem Renaissance still worthwhile in the 21st century?"
I believe that studying the Harlem Renaissance is still worth while in the twenty-first century because it is so rich with history. Without the Harlem Renaissance a lot of influential and key talents would have never been discovered. For instance, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Jean Toomer and Claude McKay probably would have never been discover if it weren't for the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance reminds us all of the struggle that many African Americans faced during this time period, and it proves how determination alone can be a powerful possession. However, through the struggles that many African Americans faced during this time period many of them were able to overcome their hardships by producing priceless works of art (poetry, painting, acting, etc.). It must also be said that without learning about the awful things that happened during this time period perhaps the struggles and horrific events that took place (lynchings) would still occur today. It is best to learn about these things so that history will not repeat itself.
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6 comments:
It is definately true that many authors, like the ones we read, may not have been discovered if the Harlem Renaissance did not exist. They were discovered and were influential during a time of pain and struggle in the African American community. I believe we need to learn and understand this time in history because it was a time of hardship that was overcome. We can only hope through learning about history, that history will never repeat itself and that we have learned from our mistakes.
I agree with your last statement. With knowledge we get power. This power is through reason and empathy. We can apprecaite what mistakes our ancestors have made and make sure we never repeat them in our future. Studying about topics such as this, as horific as they are, is important in a sense of history, how we live now, and our future.
I agree that it is extremely important to learn from history. I think that people today can learn a lot from the circumstances that African Americans of the Harlem Renaissance faced and overcame. For many of these African Americans to create the literature and artwork of this time, it took incredible determination. They overcame tremendous odds facing racial discrimination, financial barriers, and even gender discrimination. This determination is an admirable quality that everyone today should try to emulate.
Yes, I also thought it was interesting to learn that without the Harlem Renaissance, so many of the African American authors who we consider prominent, would not have been as recognized or widely read as they are today. From this class, I've also developed a lot more respect for writers like McKay and Toomer, who overcame so many obstacles to make their dreams of becoming literary figures come true.
I never realized how much the artists from the Harlem Renaissance influenced various art forms and artists of today. I actually enjoyed the group presentations and learning about these different influences and how they shape things today.
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