The “New Negro” of the Harlem Renaissance

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The “New Negro” of the Harlem Renaissance

The ‘New Negro’ was one of the most popular movements of the Harlem Renaissance. The advocates of this campaign challenged racial segregation by disapproving policies aimed at disvaluing black Americans. This crusade attracted artists from various sub categories including poets, musicians, writers, and actors (Brinkley 33). Although the significance of the regeneration process varied among the participants, it was a period where solidarity among the African Americans and appreciation of their heritage was influential in developing the black society. Following this historic event, the artistic sub sector in the black community became a feasible industry that gained popularity in all regions of the globe (Howes and Christine 35).

One of the vocal artists of the Harlem Renaissance was W.E.B Du Bois. By using I, Too, Sing America to support his argument, he founded the ideology of double consciousness (Brinkley 73). According to this philosophy, the society would only enjoy racial equality if the African American society perceived their differences as a strong point (Brinkley 83). His thought-triggering arguments aimed at assisting the black community to realize the need to embrace their African culture while adopting a western lifestyle in terms of education and economic activities. In relation to double consciousness, Negroes had a multi-faceted way of life that allowed them to benefit from the rich African heritage while enjoying the civil liberties offered to American citizens (Brinkley 50).

Equally, Langston Hughes was an active participant of the New Negro movement. He used poetry to advocate for racial equality during the Harlem Renaissance. In the poem, I, Too, Sing America, he was optimistic about a society where whites would appreciate and respect members of the black community. Furthermore, he believed that being an inhabitant of the United States gave him and his relations the right to enjoy various privileges without experiencing any form of racial bigotry (Howes and Christine 12). In addition to other activists, the works of these artists helped the African American society to succeed in their renaissance efforts that suppressed racial discrimination in the United States.

Works Cited

Brinkley, Alan. American History: A Survey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.

Brinkley, Alan. Liberalism and Its Discontents. New York: ACLS History E-Book Project, 2005. Print.

Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.

Howes, Kelly K, and Christine Slovey. Harlem Renaissance. Detroit: U X L, 2001. Print.