The twenties have been a cultural and political awakening for many. America 1920: the great migration in the Manhattan neighbourhood of Harlem led to the build up of a thriving black community.
This radical population shift led to the blossoming of a Black Pride movement lead by accomplished black Americans such as W.E.B Du Bois. America 2020: the avoidable death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd evoked an explosion of anger and uproar; not only at unjust police brutality but that only 8% of American Ivy League students are black, that black people are 4 times more likely to die of COVID 19 and that this world is far from equal. Marches, protests and social media campaigns then ensued.
Progression or regression?
The explosion of black pride and celebration of talent in Harlem in the 1920s was progressive and eye opening, yet segregation was still prevalent, with Rosa Parks not standing up for equality amongst Americans until 1955.
Shouldn’t we have changed these laws 100 years ago so the following century could be spent celebrating black accomplishments alongside white ones instead of confining this renaissance to a decade and forcing the black community to literally fight for their right to live in the 21st century?
A cultural boom in Harlem. A political boom in America.
100 years apart: the 20s are the backdrop for change.
Written by Coco Clelland
Artwork by Zara Masood
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