History in Pictures: Focus on The Harlem Renaissance
LETTER FROM CICELY LEWIS Dear Reader Imagine being in an argument with a classmate and the teacher asks what happened Your classmate tells their version of the story but you don’t get to share your version Do you think this is fair Well this is what has happened throughout history This series looks at different events in US history with a focus on photos that help tell stories of people from underrepresented groups I started the Read Woke challenge in response to the needs of my students I wanted my students to read books that challenged social norms and shared perspectives from underrepresented and oppressed groups I created Read Woke Books because I want you to be knowledgeable and compassionate Cicely Lewis citizens As you look through these books think about the photos that have captured history Why are they important What do they teach you I hope you learn from these books and get inspired to make our world a better place for all Yours in solidarity Cicely Lewis Executive Editor
4 THE REBIRTH OF CHANGE TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 HARLEM RESHAPES HISTORY CHAPTER 2 ART FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE CHAPTER 3 REIMAGINING A NEW WORLD CHAPTER 4 ARTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE TAKE ACTION TIMELINE PHOTO REFLECTION GLOSSARY SOURCE NOTES READ WOKE READING LIST INDEX 25 26 27 28 29.30 31 Think critically about the photos throughout this book Who is taking the photos and why What is their viewpoint Who are the people in the photos What do these photos tell us There are so many important people and events in the Harlem Renaissance that we are not able to include them all in this book After finishing this book learn more about how to get involved There are tips on page 25 to help you get started 6 8 10 18
Smalls Paradise was owned by Ed Smalls center It was a popular club during the Harlem Renaissance THE REBIRTH OF CHANGE Renaissance Renaissance means rebirth The Harlem Renaissance generations from slavery they were determined not to be birthed a group of Black artists leaders and activists Two bound by the chains of racism segregation and discrimination They had a vision of freedom They would use the arts and activism to gain political social and economic rights The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP is a famous organization that was founded in Harlem It fights for civil rights for Black people The NAACP and those 4
active in the Harlem Renaissance came together from about 1918 to 1937 to create a new chapter in history Harlem Renaissance artists used their creativity and intelligence to reimagine the future while celebrating their cultural roots Langston Hughes described this in his poem I Too He shared a vision of equal rights for Black Americans especially the working class African roots influenced the sound of jazz music Playing the trumpet Louis Armstrong created a new harmony of justice and freedom Nella Larsen wrote books in which her characters explore their racial identities Many other artists showed the power of Black excellence Their work has left a lasting legacy Over a century later it has inspired a new generation of Black artists to build a more just and inclusive society Modern artists are building a new Black Renaissance Entertainers from Smalls Paradise in 1929 5
