Group number 5 had a topic very well known, titled the Harlem Renaissance. Not only mentioned in the book Hip: The History but also students knowing something brief about the topic itself. As each group member discussed each point and gave their opinions, more insight we acquired in what made up the Harlem Renaissance. Black culture became very popular during the 1920’s. It was when African-Americans came out of their shells to show what black culture was made of to society. It was the beginning of black becoming the new Hip.
The Harlem Renaissance was when the Whites became fond of the blacks. Around this time African-Americans had a new voice and the starts of a new culture movement. It was their time to create new identities and strive to make African-Americans known. Black culture became so Hip that Whites were eager to be part of this great movement. It was a crazy, fun movement and although segregation still existed during the time people lived in the moment.
African-Americans wanted to be Hip but didn’t want to include others to be part of their culture. It was one of the most influential movements in the African-American up bringing. Jazz was also very popular during the time. It became so common that they held local jazz places in Harlem. These places were the way that Blacks used to express themselves. The Blacks were recasting their identity such so that Whites were having expectations of Blacks. Black culture was impacting in strange and increasing ways. It was a time for the Blacks to reclaim their identity that was taken away during slavery. A term given to the Blacks which was also hip was the new negroes. The history of the Harlem Renaissance opened doors that deeply influenced the generations of African Americans. It was the new negro movement. Not only that but Whites were so fascinated of Blacks that Whites began to publish the writings of the new negroes. It was something that was heard in the streets and read in the newspapers. It was a rising time for the new negroes. The Harlem Renaissance can go from artistic, literary, to cultural as a movement. African-Americans served as inspirations to Whites and leaders. Their influence spread throughout the nation and the center of New York became the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was where Hip was born during the time of African-Americans. It was a great time, it was the birth of the new negro culture.
After World War I a new generation fled to the village. A new generation was the hybrid culture which meant the combination of two species or culture. The lost generation had its given name because they lost sense of direction and lost hope. The lost generation came after World War I. The term was best known popular by Ernest Hemingway who wrote his novel the Sun also rises. The lost generation defines a sense of moral loss or aimlessness literary figures. Many young men who had recently came of age perished in World War I. Due to this these young men who survived returned home either mentally or physically wounded.
A quote said by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, "All gods dead all wars fought all faiths in man shaken".
The fact that World War I created such a great impression on people made people stop believing in God. People lost hope because of all the death that occurred during World War I. It was a time where no one was good or holy. The faith that they earlier held onto was no longer valid they were lost. It was said that all the young people who served in the war are the lost generation. However the term does not refer to all the artist who lived in Paris after World War I.The village citizens fled to Paris because after World War I happened, the damage caused the destruction of the souls. This generation then became known as the lost generation.
The end of banality was known as lacking originality. It was not being able to be oneself during the time. It was a time where art became more interesting.
The new bohemians was the practice of an unconventional lifestyle. Also known as out of the ordinary. The previous generation of bohemians were known as babies. The lost generation became the new bohemians by breaking social norms. Thus relating back to Ernest Hemingway who was a veteran of World War I, created the environment for a new form of literature. His style derived from Gertrude Stein and Sherwood Anderson was were also known during this period of the lost generation. The lost generation replaced idealism in the village. Idealism is said to be the practice of forming or pursing ideals. Such people of the lost generation were very hurt and distraught due to what occurred during World War I. World War I seemed to have destroyed the hope that if you behaved in a good way good things would come your way.
