Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston was an American writer during the Harlem Renaissance who wrote numerous peices about the lives of African Americans during that time. Although she didnt write it during the Renaissance, Their Eyes Were Watching God remains her most famous an influencial works of literature. She wrote Color Struck in 1925 and it centers around a black couple, John and Emmaline, and "colorism". "Emma" continues to be worried throughout the whole play that John will leave her for a lighter-skinned woman, and because of this she stays jealous. The re-0ccuring theme continues to be color, Emma ends up having a half-white baby, Emma won't go to a black doctor, and Emma remains scared about Johns "attraction" to white people.

This peice embodies the Harlem Renaissance because it focuses on the issues of color and racism, but from a negative point of view. Color Struck won second prize in a contest for best play in 1925.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was born in 1901 into a very poor family in New Orleans, LA. He was sent to a reform school early in his life for firing a gun in the air, but learned to play cornet in the home. He later became one of the most influential black and jazz (black or white) musicians of all time.

Although he didn't write it, his song "Ain't Misbehavin'" is his biggest selling song/record to date. The song serves as a tribute to all the black musicians who were part of the Harlem Renaissance. No matter who covers it, the song still captures the true literary and musical spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. His version is the most popular of the many other recordings done.

This is the orginal writer, Fats Waller's version of "Ain't Misbehavin"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TzynQ8LPyAM

Overview

The Harlem Renaissance was a time during the 1920's that was centered in Harlem, New York. The movement symbolized a time where African Americans began to overcome racism and prejudice through works of literature and art. They believed that their literary accomplishments and works of art would "uplift" their race. Famous writers and authors included; Langston Hughes, Alain Locke, Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, Aaron Douglas, and William H. Johnson. This picture is called Chain Gang, painted by William Johnson.