Help me plz How did African American aspirations, identity, challenges and cultural values change from the period of enslavement to the Harlem Renaissance?

History · College · Mon Jan 18 2021

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The transformation of African American aspirations, identity, challenges, and cultural values from the period of enslavement to the Harlem Renaissance reflects a complex and dynamic journey marked by resilience, struggle, and cultural renaissance. Here are key points highlighting this evolution:


Enslavement Period:

1. Enslaved Identity and Struggle:

  • During the period of enslavement, African Americans were subjected to dehumanizing conditions. Their identity was often defined by the institution of slavery, which stripped them of autonomy and subjected them to systemic oppression.

2. Cultural Retention and Adaptation:

  • Despite the harsh circumstances, African Americans retained and adapted aspects of their African cultural heritage. This included music, storytelling, oral traditions, and spiritual practices.

3. Aspirations for Freedom:

  • Aspirations during enslavement were primarily centered around achieving freedom from bondage. Escapes, rebellions, and participation in the Underground Railroad demonstrated the determination to attain a life free from slavery.

Reconstruction and Jim Crow Era:

1. Emancipation and New Freedoms:

  • The end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery brought about a period of emancipation. African Americans gained legal freedom, and efforts were made to establish new institutions and communities.

2. Challenges of Reconstruction:

  • Despite legal emancipation, the Reconstruction era was marked by significant challenges, including racial violence, economic exploitation, and the rise of discriminatory laws like the Black Codes.

3. Formation of New Identities:

  • African Americans grappled with forming new identities as free individuals and citizens. Churches, educational institutions, and civic organizations played a crucial role in shaping a collective sense of identity.

Great Migration and Harlem Renaissance:

1. Urban Migration and Cultural Expression:

  • The Great Migration (1916-1970) saw a significant movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North. This migration facilitated the emergence of urban cultural expressions, challenging traditional norms.

2. Harlem Renaissance and Cultural Flourishing:

  • The Harlem Renaissance, which flourished in the 1920s, was a cultural and intellectual movement that celebrated African American arts, literature, music, and intellectual achievements. It was a period of artistic renaissance, with figures like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington contributing to a vibrant cultural scene.

3. Identity Empowerment and Civil Rights:

  • The Harlem Renaissance contributed to a sense of empowerment and pride in African American identity. This cultural and intellectual ferment laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement, as activists sought to address systemic racial inequalities.

4. Aspirations for Equality:

  • Aspirations evolved from a focus on freedom from slavery to broader aspirations for equality and civil rights. The activism of the Civil Rights Movement aimed at dismantling segregation, ensuring voting rights, and addressing systemic racism.