Brother to Brother 

The film Brother to Brother looks back on the Harlem Renaissance through the perspective of Richard Bruce Nugent, an elderly black writer from that time. Nugent meets a young, gay, art student in current time that is struggling with ideas of identity, race, and sexuality. Perry, the art student, bonds with Nugent and together they explore the history of the Harlem Renaissance through Nugent’s memories. Additionally, the viewer learns of both of their struggles as black, gay men in different time periods, and experience how Harlem Renaissance themes are still present in Perry’s life and the modern African American community. Two of the most prevalent Harlem Renaissance themes were determination to fight against racism and oppression, and pride.

All throughout the film we are constantly experiencing the characters fighting against the racism they are experiencing in various ways. We are introduced into the movie with Perry questioning his worth and his role in this world. It is obvious that after his parent’s abandonment, the homophobia he is experiencing in class, and the oppression that he feels from his environment is having a negative impact. When he meets Nugent, his stories influence the decisions he makes in his own life and in some ways inspire him to be actively fighting for equality. Through Nugent he learns of the Black Panther party, and though sometimes violent, it was revolutionary and necessary. He learns about Zora Neale Hurston and her struggles as a female black writer. Specifically, Hurston wrote novels and passages in deep southern slang. When she got recognition for her brilliant work, an extremely important publisher came to her and said he would like to publish her book, except she had to make a few minor changes such as rewrite it so white audiences would find it more appealing. Hurston politely yet firmly turned down his offer, killing a chance of a lifetime for the sake of equality. Perry was truly inspired by Hurston’s brave, bold move. Consequently, when Perry had his art up at a gallery, an art critic and curator said he would like to represent and publicize Perry’s work, but only if he could tone down the African American quality of it. Perry was determined to fight against this oppression and similarly turned down the offer. Overall, through Nugent’s experiences with fighting against oppression Perry learned to do so himself.

Pride was an extremely important theme in the Harlem Renaissance. It was more present in Nugent’s time because the black community was just beginning to celebrate themselves and prove it to everyone else. We are introduced to several famous black activists from the Harlem Renaissance and their actions. Many of these famous black activists lived in an apartment called the “Niggerati Mansion” which Hurston gave its name. This displays their redefining and changing of the word “nigger” to show their pride. All of these people collaborated and created a zine called Fire! With collections of their writings and published many issues of it. All of this pride helps define and guide Perry through his rough times.

In contemporary times it is necessary to see that Harlem Renaissance themes are still present, and may be even more important to have currently. Without Nugent and his inspiring life stories about his own struggles in a racist world, Perry would have been lost and consumed by his oppression and issues. Overall, Brother to Brother was an extremely profound movie in which many Harlem Renaissance themes were discussed that are still valuable today. 

Palmer Hayden was the artist who painted this image. This painting captures Harlem at dusk. Everyone is out on the streets, hanging out on their porches and enjoying what I could imagine to be a hot summer night in the busy streets of a Harlem neighborhood. This image projects Harlem Renaissance themes of pride and racial identification.

 Harlem during this time was a place for the black community to celebrate being black and for once take pride in their heritage through art, music, and culture. As a result of depicting everyone in the community out of their houses, it shows people socializing and enjoying themselves which translates the pride they feel. The ladies are glamorous in their beautiful dresses and high heel dance shoes. The way in which Hayden paints his images make the people and buildings look as if they were glowing with life and history. 

There are many signs in this image that hint at Harlem's flourishing culture. First of all, everyone is dressed nice and  enjoying Harlem night life. This shows that everyone is an active community member. There is also a church down the road which can hint at that during the Harlem Renaissance religion was a very important aspect.
I really love this piece of visual art because I believe that it is one of many that fully capture what it really was like to live and grow up there. Not only is it a work that expresses this culture, it is also beautifully made. The artist clearly had a specific style and look he as going or and definitely achieved his goal.

Now you say you're lonely
You cry the long night through
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
Now you say you're sorry
For being so untrue
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember, all that you said?
You told me love was too plebeian
Told me you were through with me and

Now you say you love me
Well, just to prove that you do
Come on and cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
I cried a river over you
I cried a river...over you...

You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember, all that you said?
You told me love was too plebeian
Told me you were through with me and

Now you say you love me
Well, just to prove that you do
Come on and cry, cry, cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried, I cried, I cried a river over you
If my pillow talk, imagine what it would have said
Could it be a river of tears I cried instead?
Well you can cry me a river
Go ahead and cry me a river
'Cause I cried, I cried a river over you
How I cried a river over you

Ella Fitzgerald was among many of the influential Harlem Renaissances performing artists. She was famous for being an amazing African American vocalist, singer, and entertainer that experienced her hay day in the Harlem and started out there as well. She is still well known and loved today, a little under two decades after her death.

She made her singing debut when she was seventeen years old on November 21, 1934, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. After getting loads of attention and fan base she began to sing in groups and commonly performed at the Harlem Opera House. In 1942, after really making a mark on Harlem, she went solo. She signed to the Decca label and had many remarkable and well-known hits when she recorded with groups and artists such as Ink Spots, Louis Jordan, and the Delta Rhythm Boys.

In addition, Ella Fitzgerald oozed Harlem Renaissance class and lifestyle. She was elegant and proud of her work. She kept up with the fashion and defined it for many people. Over the course of her life time she had three husbands and many scandalous affairs yet has been described as a mysterious and shy young lady. Altogether, Fitzgerald was the epitome of this renaissance and helped shape and define its history. 

I chose Fitzgerald because she was one of the first black, female, singers of the Harlem Renaissance, not just a dancer dancing for people’s entertainment. Fitzgerald put meaning and reasons behind her rhyme and rhythm. Her lyrics are so powerful and inspiring. In her songs she identifies and addresses almost every single Harlem Renaissance theme, and that proves that she puts thought and emotion in her work. In addition, this reinforces the idea that this particular renaissance was a special and unique one.

"St. James Infirmary Blues"

by Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway was raised in Baltimore, Maryland but achieved his fame when he began performing at the Cotton Club, in the heart of Harlem New York. This is a song from the Harlem Renaissance. Though Cab Calloway did not write St. James infirmary, it was written during his era, and Calloway Preformed it because it was similar to his style and could relate to the Harlem Renaissance.

This song portrays Harlem Renaissance themes of pride, and racial identification. Partying and liquor and celebrating being African American during this time was a social norm; “They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there” the Harlem Renaissance was a tight knit community of people who were slightly mysterious, extremely creative, and a little bit debaucheries. They loved to drink during a time when it was illegal. During the Harlem Renaissance Jazz was a huge influence on the music scene. The line “stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon” relates to the fact that music was a way of living for Harlem Renaissance musicians such as Calloway. It was so much a part of him it should be with him in his death.

One of my all time favorite songs is this particular song. Not only is it a great song to listen too but also it has great lyrics and really tells a story. It melody is languid, slightly creepy, and playful. All of which embody the Harlem Renaissance.

It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner of the square
They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red
And he turned his face to the people, these were the very words he said

I was down to St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table,
So sweet, cool and so fair

Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me

When I die please bury me in my high top Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
The gang'll know I died standing pat

Let her go, let her go God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me

I want six crapshooters to be my pallbearers
Three pretty women to sing a song
Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon
Raise hell as I stroll along

Let her go Let her go
God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide
World over
She'll never find a sweeter
Man as me

The Lindy Hop

During the Harlem Renaissance dance was a huge part of the culture and a way of life. Of the many famous dances, the lindy hop became one of the most popular. The lindy hop is a form of swing dance that was extremely popular during the Harlem Renaissance. It is said that it originated from mixing African rhythms with more formal European partner dance. It was influenced by the Charleston, tap dance, jazz, and ballet to form a six and eight count sequence. One of the reasons it was so popular was because of its multi-faceted background and that it was wild and promiscuous, just like the era. Many of the dancers would even break away from their partners and add in their own signature moves so every dance was never the same.

Many believe that the black community in Harlem took to dance as a way to get away from racial discrimination and monotonous, low-paying jobs; if they were good, they would dance for money. There were things called rent parties where people would host parties and sing and dance in ones own household and charge for admittance. This would essentially pay for their rent and began a culture rich with life, music, and dance.

I really enjoyed learning swing dance in our class but the lindy hop seems crazy and challenging. I’m especially into the Harlem Renaissance’s dance scene because dance isn’t something I’ve explored in depth yet, but I’m definitely into it. These dances really inspire me.

Langston Hughes: "Minstrel Man"

Because my mouth

Is wide with laughter

And my throat

Is deep with song,

You do not think

I suffer after

I have held my pain

So long?


Because my mouth 


Is wide with laughter, 


You do not hear


My inner cry? 


Because my feet


Are gay with dancing, 


You do not know


I die?

The overall subject of this poem is the stereotype of the minstrel slave, or just the stereotypical black man. Langston Hughes is discussing the idea that all black men were dumb typical slaves who didn’t know very much about the world and had no unique interests; they were content with their simple, limited life. They were simply satisfied with working on a plantation all day long and in total obedience to their ‘master’.

Hughes tone in this poem is melancholy, he is mournful of all his past generations, and all the lives lost through slavery. One can tell he feels compelled to speak out because he is addressing the idea that even if people of color acted this way, they still were the same as everybody else, and had the same emotions.

Harlem Renaissance themes that are prevalent in this poem are exploration of Negro heritage, determination to fight against oppression, and anger at racism. Hughes is exploring the stereotype of the minstrel character, “wide with laughter… gay with dancing… deep with song” are all example of racist expectations of blacks during slavery, and relates to negro heritage. Interestingly, during the Harlem Renaissance the African American community entertained endlessly for both blacks and whites in various clubs through dance, song, and performance, however, it was many years before blacks were allowed in white clubs.

Clearly, this poem contains imagery and has lots symbolism. Hughes is trying to communicate that they were people too, but white people failed to recognize this. The line, “You do not know I die?” shows that black people went through the same things as white people. This quote can communicate Hughes anger and frustration that existed then and even up till today.

Overall, this poem is a great example of a Harlem Renaissance artist exploring ideas about Negro heritage and history. 

The Cotton Club!