The Harlem Renaissance was a time of artistic revitalization and reclaiming of identity for the black community, which inspired collaboration across all modes of creative expression. It was a movement during which collaborators of every kind would create and preform together as well as share living quarters to inspire more artistry and product.
There are many similarities between Hurston and Hughes, but what they both will be remembered for are the resounding voices that triumphed black selfhood and equality. Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes influenced each other artistically and interpersonally as well as the movement of the Harlem Renaissance in an aesthetic sense at large.
Hurston and hughes have many similarties (age, Columbia, gay …show more content…
In art, especially at the time of the Harlem Renaissance, there should not be a standard to fulfill in order to authentically express. This essay is the reinforcement that there should not be any form of adjustment to artwork to be more marketable. This was a difficult endeavor and understandably fear-inducing for a black artist because American culture was undoubtedly white. Everything from how people dressed to what they read up until this point was highly saturated by white influence. The pressure to resemble whiteness was overwhelming, as it seemed to guarantee the mediocrity or societal acceptance and anonymity. This was all but an illusion anyway as one cannot suppress their blackness. Instead, the drive to be white created an immense amount of shame within black individuals whom justifiably desired to fit in and live without prejudice. This is the racial mountain that Hughes is referring to, which he urges must be climbed. Black artists, not only felt the need to stylistically duplicate white artists, but also resemble them through their content. There was a pull to write only about light and uncomplicated topics and perpetuate stereotypes through the representation of black characters.“We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.” (Hughes) Duty of artist and duty of Hughes
There are many similarities between Hurston and Hughes, but what they both will be remembered for are the resounding voices that triumphed black selfhood and equality. Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes influenced each other artistically and interpersonally as well as the movement of the Harlem Renaissance in an aesthetic sense at large.
Hurston and hughes have many similarties (age, Columbia, gay …show more content…
In art, especially at the time of the Harlem Renaissance, there should not be a standard to fulfill in order to authentically express. This essay is the reinforcement that there should not be any form of adjustment to artwork to be more marketable. This was a difficult endeavor and understandably fear-inducing for a black artist because American culture was undoubtedly white. Everything from how people dressed to what they read up until this point was highly saturated by white influence. The pressure to resemble whiteness was overwhelming, as it seemed to guarantee the mediocrity or societal acceptance and anonymity. This was all but an illusion anyway as one cannot suppress their blackness. Instead, the drive to be white created an immense amount of shame within black individuals whom justifiably desired to fit in and live without prejudice. This is the racial mountain that Hughes is referring to, which he urges must be climbed. Black artists, not only felt the need to stylistically duplicate white artists, but also resemble them through their content. There was a pull to write only about light and uncomplicated topics and perpetuate stereotypes through the representation of black characters.“We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.” (Hughes) Duty of artist and duty of Hughes