Harlem Renaissance, February 26

The problem with the Harlem Renaissance is the problem of source material.  Why is it that this topic is not more celebrated in school?  Why does America celebrate the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. more than they celebrate the accomplishments of the artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance?  Again this period in time produced limited source material and had a relatively small audience.  The last great Renaissance to take place was arguably in Europe after the Dark Ages.  This was a time of massive accomplishments in the areas of science, philosophy, literature, and art and everybody knew about these great things being done even if they couldn't read or write, they heard it in church were the priest were lambasting the new inventions and philosophies.  Much of the Harlem Renaissance was run by a very few well-educated, upper-class African American men and women, including the famous author W.E.B. Du Bois and influential black film director Oscar Micheaux and very few towns followed the theme of the Renaissance with Harlem and Greenwich Village, New York at the forefront with Chicago and Detroit following behind.  Another problem was money.  Many of the great artists of the Renaissance lacked the financial backing to pursue their dreams and goals.  With the backing of wealthy white patrons, particularly Jewish patrons and with the creation of the Urban League which helped assimilate African Americans, many were able to get off on a good start, but the struggles of living in the big city took its toll on many.  Rents were high for African Americans, space was limited, and jobs were scare all combining to create a less than inspiring muse needed to keep the Harlem Renaissance going.