Harlem Renaissance Speech

Topic: The Harlem Renaissance
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the 3 major advancements made to society as a . result of the Harlem Renaissance.
Thesis Statement: The 3 major advancements were made in art, music and literature
Introduction
Attention Material: Music
Thesis Statement: The 3 major advancements were made in art, music and literature
Preview: The Harlem Renaissance was an important time period in African American History. . New to freedom, many of the former slaves sought a new beginning in the North. . Songs, paintings and literature as I will explain, were created as a reflection of what . was happening during this time.
(Connective: “Prior to this era, the African American community faced many hardships…”)
Body
I. African Americans had been enslaved in the South since the beginning of colonization.
A. They were seen as an inferior race by white society
B. They were taken advantage of and abused.
C. In 1861, the Civil War began which was a battle between the North and the South.
1. One goal the North expressed was freeing the slaves.
2. The South refused to accept the abolition of slavery.
D. In 1865, the Civil War ended.
1. The South was defeated.
2. All slaves were freed by Abraham Lincoln
a. According to a slave testimony this was “the most anticipated but disappointing moment in the history of our lives” (Testimony)
b. The 13th amendment was passed which abolished slavery, but white society in the South continued to treat the African Americans the same way.
E. In response to feeling mistreated, the African Americans started a movement called the Great Migration, in which the blacks migrated to the North in search of a new life.
1. They travelled to cities such as Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chicago and New York.
2. Harlem became the focal point of this migration.

(Connective: “With a new people and culture thriving in this area, The Harlem Renaissance was born.”)
I. Literature had a close relationship with society and its ability to express and advocate for itself.
A. Magazines like The Crisis, published by the NAACP brought to light some of the issues, such as inequality and segregation that the community felt was important to change.
B. Books and poetry were also published to celebrate life and accomplishments.
1. “Negro Heaven” was written by Carl Van Vechten, which was a book that boasted about the brilliance of the night life in Harlem.
2. Langston Hughes published many poems, plays and novels about African American life all over the country, and how the community was related as a whole under the same goals- to achieve equality.
a. He also commented on racial matters by making a lot of his works based around low-class African American and the conflict with white America.
b. Because he was educated, many people at the time felt that his expression of the Harlem society helped make the African-American voice respected and meaningful to American culture.
3. Alan Locke’s book The New Negro also urged the community, artists in particular, to reclaim their ancestral heritage to strengthen their own expression.

(Connective: “With the green light from one of society’s more prominent leaders, artists began expressing culture through art.”)
II. The art world was centered mostly around society’s cultural traditions.
A. The Banjo Lesson by Henry Ossawa Tanner represents a new appreciation for music. This was the first time that the black community was allowed to explore mediums to express themselves.
B. Nous Quatre a Paris (We Four in Paris) by Palmer Hayden represents a happy peaceful gathering of people enjoying life and company.
C. Jeunesse by Palmer Hayden. This work was influenced the enjoyment of jazz. It portrays a gathering

(Connective: Lastly, music played a large role in making the Harlem Renaissance as big as it was.)
III. Jazz is synonymous with the Harlem Renaissance.
A. It created a fun and exciting atmosphere.
B. A new style of piano playing was created called the Harlem Stride Style, it helped blur the lines between the poor Negros and socially elite Negros.
1. Traditional jazz was composed primarily of brass instruments and was a symbol of the south
2. The piano was considered an instrument of the wealthy.
3. The modification allowed wealthy blacks to have more access to jazz, it united two different classes within the community.
C. Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and Willie “The Lion” Smith laid the foundation for future musicians of their genre.
D. The musical style was also becoming more attractive to white society, which gave the once two torn races an commonality
E. Places like The Apollo Theatre, the Savoy Ballroom and Lenox Avenue housed venues for jazz music, as well as swing dancing and immortalized the gathering and appreciation of music.
1. Many careers were launched out of the Apollo Theatre like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
2. Its popularity also created jobs and development in the area which added to the appeal of Harlem

Conclusion

Summary Statement: The efforts of Abe Lincoln led to the Great Migration. The influx of . African Americans created an entirely new society in Harlem. This . initiated the Harlem Renaissance in which a cultural revolution sparked a . new interest in African American culture. Concluding Remarks: Advancements made in art, literature, and music expanded the minds of . many and ultimately changed society and created a window of . opportunity in which culture that followed was able to progress