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.