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An Introduction to the Exhibition
Harlem has long symbolized the culture of the African-American experience in 20th-century America. Its history has been well documented in photographs, literature and other media.Harlem 1900-1940: An African-American Community , is a history education portfolio that has been produced by the Educational Programs unit of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the New York Public Library. The scope of this portfolio is Harlem from the years 1900-1940. Various elements of the history of the urban experience in Harlem's early days as the Cultural Capital of African Americans are represented here by graphic and photographic images from the Schomburg Center collection. Some of the subjects include the Schomburg Center itself, political movements, education, sports, social organizations, religion, the Harlem Hospital, theater, business and music. The personalities which make up the rich history of Harlem are too numerous to include in this selected group of images; however there are those too important to be left out, such as Bert Williams and George Walker, Marcus Garvey, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes and others. Educators are encouraged to adapt these materials to suplement existing textbooks and curricula. By providing a resource that elaborates on the information currently available on the history of the lives and contributions of African Americans, we hope teachers will use this material as a guide to explore this subject further.
This social history guide emphasizes critical thinking skills. It is based on the legacy developed by Arthur A. Schomburg who recognized the importance of education. He felt strongly that people develop a more healthy perspective of themselves and the world they live in if they know their history. Schomburg himself is said to have gotten his impetus for scholarly research in this field after having been told by a teacher that African people had no heroes nor any great historical moments.
"The American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future...History must restore what slavery took away...The Negro has been a man without a history because he has been considered a man without a worthy culture...But already the Negro sees himself against a reclaimed background, in a perspective that will give pride and self-respect ample scope, and make history yield for him the same values that the treasured past of any people affords."
A. Schomburg
The Negro Digs Up His Past
The contents of this package have been developed to stimulate in students and teachers a desire to discover and uncover the fascinating history of a unique community, Harlem. The instructional strategies accompanying the background information for the visual images are suggested activities to assist educators in exposing students to the subject matter and to encourage them to do further research. Most activities are designed for intermediate and secondary students, however, younger students can also find enriching information here. Also included are a map of Harlem, a time line, a bibliography and additional resources. Learning about history is serious business, but it can also be an exciting adventure. We hope this portfolio provides an enjoyable learning experience for teachers and students alike.
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