Harlem and the Blues The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously. It was also the first time that African American literature and art attracted significant attention from the nation at large. Although it was primarily a literary movement, it was closely related to developments in African American music, art, theater and politics (Johnson 275). The movement emerged at the end of World War I in 1918, blossomed …showed first 75 words of 1158 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1158 total…best and worst qualities of African American life during the early twentieth century (Haskin 15). The American blacks discovered that by confronting these fundamental, everyday problems head on through their music was better than simply wishing them away. The music somehow lifted the pain and life could go on in all of its complexity. To sing about your troubles was to conquer them. The blues were therapeutic and brought the world of Harlem Renaissance to life.