Coyjgoodson - A New Start In Harlem lyrics

The early 20th century brought about a distinctly African American cultural reformation known as the Harlem Renaissance. Artists, drawn from all over the country, redefined black aesthetics to be an exultation of racial pride rather than a lamentation. African Americans adapted common forms of expression such as poetry, short stories, and the novel to their own style; a popular style that proved marketable for many black artists. The effects of the Harlem Renaissance, or "New Negro Movement", have reverberated to the present. Aspects of African American culture such as the "will to adorn" themselves were featured in this period, and became emblematic of African American cultural expression moving forward. 1919 - If We Must Die A poem written to inspire the warrior against his inevitable d**h. 1922 - Mother to Son A poem from a dedicated, but uneducated, mother warning her son against despondency and apathy. 1925 - The City of Refuge A vivid short story of a black emigrant from rural America finding his way in the city. 1927 - Zouzou Josephine Baker stars in this film becoming the first black woman to star in a major motion picture. 1927 - Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem The use of binaries make this a vivid portrayal of the often contradictory black life in Harlem. 1934 - Characteristics of Negro Expression Hurston writes an ethnography of African American expression. 1936 - Cross Road Blues Johnson's contributions to blues and the guitar were recognized only recently. 1940 - Native Son Wright's novel leads to real and challenging questions about race relations in modern America.