The Twenties

The Twenties was the start of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of creativity among Black artists, writers, musicians, and entertainers. It was a time when Harlem became the capital of Black America. It was an exciting time with the end of World War I, the economy had improved, and the Black middle class prospered. More books were written by Black authors during the 1920s than any previous decade in American history. The Harlem Renaissance produced racially and socially conscious artists who reached back to Africa and the African American community for inspiration. The artists who participated in the Harlem Renaissance were brought together by their common culture experiences. They addressed such themes as African heritage and racial pride, political push for respect, and Black culture and consciousness. On the other hand, some authors wrote about issues such as "passing" for white and the effects of denying one's race. As the Great Depression of the late 1920s deepened and extended into the next decade, the Harlem Renaissance slowed due to little financial support available to the artists.

Fauset, Jessie Redmon. "Plum Bun." Frederick A. Stokes, 1929.

This novel focuses on Angela Murray who is so fair skinned that she can "pass" as white. Believing that to be white is to be free, she decides to go to art to school in New York as a white woman. Although she has much success as a "white" artist she finds that denying her heritage takes a large toll on her. The battle within herself forces her to come to a decision about who she wants to be. This book should be read because it focuses on issues that many African-Americans during this time had to face.

Hughes, Langston."Mother to Son" A.A.Knopf, Inc. 1926.

This poem is about struggle and survival. The poem is important because it tells the story of a mother encouraging her son to keep going despite any obstacles. She tells him to follow her example and keep striving

Larsen, Nella."Passing." A.A.Knopf, 1927.

This book studies the relationship between Irene Redfield and Claire Bellew. Two women passing for white, one who has not told her husband and family. The other who has been open with her husband and family. This is a good book to read because it tells how these women lived with their decisions to deny their race. It does not have a neat ending with the women deciding to come back to their people and embrace them. This is probably the decision many, if not most, of those "passing" made.

Locke, Alain. "The New Negro: An Interpretation." Albert and Charles Boni,   1925.

An essay that describes Locke's predictions of the New Negro as an independent, intelligent, self-respecting citizen of the democracy. He predicted a new race consciousness and pride that would bring about a blossoming of the arts and new forms of expression. His predictions were fulfilled during the Harlem Renaissance.

McKay, Claude. "Home to Harlem." Harper, 1928.

The story follows Jack Brown, an African-American male who deserted the military during World War I because he was assigned noncombat duties. Jake is a good natured, honest, optimistic black man who would not be lured to the dark side of Harlem life. He was a man of principles who stood by his convictions. It is a good book to read because so few books have been written depicting a positive African-American male figure.

Thurman, Wallace Henry. "The Blacker the Berry: A Novel of Negro Life." Macauley, 1929.

The story is about a young black woman's journey to self acceptance. Emma Lou Morgan was a dark skinned woman who grew up in a family of mulattos. Her family despised her because of her skin color. Consequently, they taught her to despise herself, as well as, all dark skinned people. This novel should be read because this issue is still relevant today because there is still a lot of prejudice in the African-American community.

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