New Negro in Harlem

 



Kamden Moore

Dr. Harris

ENGL 2016

11/30/2025


New Negro in Harlem

My project was focused on the new negro movement in the north during the Harlem Renaissance. I decided to portray the reborn image of the negro as opposed to the inferior and disenfranchised image. This is shown with a black person painting over a mural of the “old negro” in the heart of Harlem. Symbols of unity, music, power, and intelligence are shown, and this further emphasizes the reformation. Hopefully the piece will inspire those who sees it, as shown with the kids looking at it, but will the next generation be able to break away from the old norms?

While this movement is expected to be supported by other blacks, you have some that are stuck in the old ways. For example, George Schulyer said “Aside from his color, which ranges from very dark brown to pink, your American Negro is just plain American.” (Negro Art Hokum). While yes, the negro is American, you can’t ignore the difference in their experience compared to white Americans. Different experiences breed different perspectives, expressions, and unique problems (societal, spiritual, or economically). However, George didn’t see it that way, hence why I portrayed him with the American paint roller. 

Harlem had become a hub for southern black migrants, and racism wasn’t so outwardly in the North. Despite the majority population being black, there was still forms of racism present. For example, the segregation in Cotton Club which was a white only nightclub with black performers in Harlem. The white man, next to the painter is skeptical and intrigued by the painting because of its “different” nature, and some of the negro art was made to be that way for reach. Also, the debate of appealing to white audiences, who were primary funders/sponsors, creates this gray area for the success of the negro coming out of Harlem (or anywhere else in America). This observation led me to leave everything else, besides the mural, black and white (or gray). 

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