Keith Shynett - African American Literature Timeline #2: The Harlem Renaissance lyrics

Music is a form of expression that has been linked to the culture of African Americans throughout history. It started off as spirituals based on the religious teachings of Christianity that were imposed on them by their white masters. After slavery and into the 1900's African Americans created a new sense of culture for themselves that was expressed through the new forms of music they created. Music like Jazz and Blues became conduits for African Americans to use as creative outlets for the cultural changes of the Harlem Renaissance and shape a new identity for themselves moving forward. 1920- At the UNIA International Convention at Madison Square Garden, with twenty five thousand delegates and observers in attendance, Marcus Garvey issued the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World. Excerpt from “The Harlem Dancer” (1917) “Applauding youths laughed with young prostitutes And watched her perfect, half-clothed body sway; Her voice was like the sound of blended flutes Blown by black players upon a picnic day.” 1923- The Cotton Club opens up in Harlem Excerpt from Langston Hughes' “Jazzonia” (1923) “In a Harlem cabaret Six long headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold Lifts high a dress of silken gold.” 1925- 40,000 KKK members parade in Washington D.C. Excerpt from Alain Locke's “The New Negro” (1925) “Recall how suddenly the Negro spirituals revealed themselves suppressed for generations under the stereotypes of Wesleyan hmm harmony, secretive, half ashamed, until the courage of being natural brought them out and behold, there was folk music.” 1926- Carter G. Woodson establishes Negro History Week in February between the Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Dougla** Birthdays. Excerpt from “The Weary Blues” (1925-26) “In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan— Ain't got nobody in all this world, Ain't got nobody but ma self. I's gwine to quit ma frownin' And put ma troubles on the shelf.” 1927- Marcus Garvey is deported from the United States Excerpt from “Jazz Band in a Partisan Cabaret” (1926) “Play that thing, Jazz band! Play it for the lords and ladies, For the dukes and counts, For the who*es and gigolos, For the American millionaires, And the school teachers Out for a spree.” 1931- Rochester, New York, Philharmonic Orchestra presets "The Afro-American Symphony" in concert. Lyrical excerpt from Cab Callaway's' “Minnie the Moocher” (1931) “She hung around with a bloke named Smoky She loved him though he was cokey He took her down to Chinatown Where he showed her how to kick the gong around” 1934- The Apollo Theatre opens up in Harlem Excerpt from Zora Neal Hurston's “Characteristics of Negro Expression” (1934) “Negro dancing is dynamic suggestion. No matter how violent it may appear to the beholder, every posture gives the impression that the dancer will do much more. For example, the performer flexes one knee sharply, a**umes a ferocious face mask, thrusts the upper part of the body forward with clenched fists, elbows taut as in hard running or grasping a thrusting blade.” 1945- Nat King Cole becomes the first African American to have a radio variety show. The show airs on NBC. Excerpt from “Trumpet Player” (1947) “the music from the trumpet at his lips is honey mixed with liquid fire the rhythm from the trumpet at his lips is ecstasy distilled from old desire—“