First published 2001
Julie Schumacher examines the cultural explosion that transformed 1920s Harlem into America's creative capital. The book centers on the fundamental question of what the Harlem Renaissance truly represented as an artistic and intellectual movement. Schumacher presents writings from key figures including Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, and filmmaker Spike Lee. Her approach emphasizes developing critical thinking skills as readers encounter diverse perspectives on this pivotal period. The author structures the material to help readers analyze primary sources and contemporary reflections on the movement's lasting impact. Through these carefully chosen selections, the book offers readers tools to understand how the Harlem Renaissance shaped American culture and continues to influence modern artistic expression.
Genres: 20th-century, american, african-american, cultural, cultural-studies, american-history
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: critical-thinking, diverse-perspectives
Setting: Harlem
Period: 1920s
144 pages · Paperback · Perfection Learning