267 House

Harlem Renaissance was very well known as region of night life and entertainment, but at the same time as the region where very famous and talented people created their wonderful, famous and instructive work; all of them led by the idea of “The

Negro Movement.” All artists in Harlem were divided in some groups, according to their interests, genres or styles or writing or painting. More or less, they stuck together.

There is one house in Central Harlem, New York which has big historical meaning. It is visited by many tourists nowadays, because of the role it had during Harlem Renaissance. It is “267 House” in 136^th Street in Harlem, famous because it used to be a temporary home of many young artists at the time they made the biggest steps in their careers. The artists were writers Zora Neal Hurston, Wallacce Thurman, Langston Hughes, and a painter Richard Bruce Nugent.

“267 House” was one of the big houses which owner used to rent for one or more nights, sometimes weeks, months or even years. It was owed by Iolanthe Sydney, black philanthropist, who supported work of black people. Nugent, one of the artistes who lived in “267 House” painted the whole interior of the house.

The house has unique address because it is the place where all the artist I mentioned before joined together and made a literary magazine called Fire!!. It was a first magazine written by African Americans which contained discussions about issues which were not mentioned before; such as homosexuality, prostitution, color prejudice and bisexuality within black community. The magazine Fire!! wasn’t well received within the black race so the sales were very poor. It was opposite of what black people in Harlem Renaissance wanted to promote. It was found offensive and vulgar, but at the same time very popular.

Knowing that something that was written up to date, and very realistically was rejected by audience, which was black community makes me think of black people as someone who wanted to hide and cover their drawbacks and present themselves as best as possible. Where they trying to get someone’s attention or admiration by pretending that they do only good and right thing? I think so. What do you think?

Personal Response to “The New Negro”


The writers in Harlem Renaissance had different opinions and different progresses in their writing. In the poetry of this period can be found very different strategies and viewpoints of the writers. Some were trying to represent their race to be equal to white; they were saying that they are as good as the white are, just whites had more opportunities and weren’t withheld to do what they wanted to.
The example of this type of writer is Countee Cullen. His poem, called “Yet Do I Marvel”, is based on the myths, religion and unfairness towards black people. There are many phrases in this poem that describe his misunderstanding of God, His acts, and the life he determined black people for. The writer is very curious throughout the whole poem. “Yet do I marvel at this curious thing: To make a poet black, and bid him sing!” are the lines that describe his curiosity the most. Even if he didn’t understand God, he hoped that everything will work out the best. Cullen compares black people to blind moles, as people who are struggling to find their ways and aims in their life. There are also some comparisons with mythological figures, as Sisyphus or Tantalus who were doing hard tasks given by the Lord, over and over.
The others had a different point of view; they were trying to create their own identity. The example is a poem written also by the writer from Harlem Renaissance. "The White House" is his expression of racism as something that occupied his life. The poet was called Claude McKay and he describes himself as sharp person, who became sharpened by very cruel racism in America. Throughout the poem, the writer tries to keep himself out of the poison, which is a symbol for racism in his life.
Something that these poems have in common is impact of religion and God on writer’s opinion and view of life.

“The New Negro” was the movement that inspired both writers I’ve mentioned before to write about their races. The styles of writings are totally different, and the poems have different morals. If I would have to choose between writer who is trying to get life better and the one who is continuously reflecting on the past and writing about the racist issues, my choice would be the first one. The reason I like him better is his more visible vision into the future. He tried to represent hope and faith, but at the same time the realistic situation of black people. Unlike him, the other poet talks about violent, anger and racism as a very painful point in his life that he can’t get over.