jjares reviewed The Harlem Renaissance: The History and Legacy of Early 20th Century America?s Most Influential Cultural Movement on + 3278 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the story of the emergence of the early 20th-century Black cultural movement that occurred in Harlem (it was a surprise to learn that Harlem is part of Manhattan). This book takes a look at a wide variety of Black real estate developers, intelligentsia, illustrators, singers, conductors, musicians, and so many others. I was familiar with some of the people mentioned, but not others.
As is typical with the fine books of Charles Rivers, there are plenty of photos and even a map showing Harlem in NYC. Wow, the last part of the book talked about the black performers who went to France to escape the rampant racism in America at the time. However, even someone as elegant as Josephine Baker had problems in France. French men would have affairs with her but wouldn't marry her. After some time, she recognized the latent racism in France.
Using Josephine Baker's life as an example of racism was an excellent choice. Racism is much more blatant when it is exposed against a particular person. I am so glad I read this book, it really sets the stage for the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in the 1960s. Living in Texas as a child, I never saw examples of the elegant life lived by blacks as outlined after the 'Great Migration' outlined in the early pages of this story.
As is typical with the fine books of Charles Rivers, there are plenty of photos and even a map showing Harlem in NYC. Wow, the last part of the book talked about the black performers who went to France to escape the rampant racism in America at the time. However, even someone as elegant as Josephine Baker had problems in France. French men would have affairs with her but wouldn't marry her. After some time, she recognized the latent racism in France.
Using Josephine Baker's life as an example of racism was an excellent choice. Racism is much more blatant when it is exposed against a particular person. I am so glad I read this book, it really sets the stage for the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in the 1960s. Living in Texas as a child, I never saw examples of the elegant life lived by blacks as outlined after the 'Great Migration' outlined in the early pages of this story.
