RECLAIMING BLACK AUTHORITY: FROM THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE TO THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
RECLAIMING BLACK AUTHORITY: FROM THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE TO THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT

Summary/Abstract: The Harlem Renaissance, an artistic and intellectual movement highlighting the achievements and creativity of African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s, experienced a gradual decline influenced by multiple factors. While no singular event triggered its demise, scholars have identified two primary factors contributing to its rapid decline. The initial factor was a financial crisis, as the Great Depression of the 1930s significantly impacted Harlem’s arts and cultural environment. The second issue involved the migration of numerous African Americans from the region, driven by their desire for improved opportunities and recognition beyond their immediate community. As these factors converged, the influence of the Harlem Renaissance waned and eventually dissipated, leaving a lasting legacy of artistic and cultural achievements that continue to inspire and shape subsequent generations of artists and intellectuals. Therefore, this paper will explore the evolution of Black cultural expression, activism, and resistance to systemic racism in the United States, tracing a remarkable journey from the Harlem Renaissance to the contemporary Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. While these two transformative periods arise from different historical contexts and employ varied advocacy methods, they are intricately connected by a shared purpose: the powerful assertion of Black identity and dignity. Both movements illuminate the ongoing struggle for equality, showcasing the resilience of the Black community in confronting and challenging the profoundly entrenched inequalities that persist throughout American society.

• Details
• Contents