The Luxury of Harlem

washjeff.edu

The photograph above is a great depiction of the exciting and more liberated life of African Americans living in Harlem, New York. You see a women and man posing with a very extravagant car in the middle of a road. In almost all parts of the nation you would not see a a black man and women happily driving their extravagant car and donning luxurious fashions without being harassed by local whites. But because Harlem was a ghetto for blacks in general they didn't need to worry too much about flaunting. They were in a kind of sanctuary filled with a rich culture that included many intellects and breakthrough artists.

I chose the photograph because you don't generally see such a glamorous and put together black couple in text books. They're usually depicted as victims or very poor people who need help, rarely do you see them looking like survivors or movie stars. In addition to that, I'm only used to seeing photographs of white movie stars from the twenties like Louise Brooks or Chaplin, so to see a black person is new. What really drew me in the most was the women, the car is a beauty, but she steals the shot. She looks stupendously glamorous in her fur coat in cap. I almost never see such glamorous black women, even today.

Out of the six HR (Harlem Renaissance) themes, the photograph exemplifies the reconstruction of the meaning of Negro. They are indirectly fighting against the stereotype that the oppressor has put them in, the idea that all blacks are poor victims who serve only. The picture is a wonderful contradiction to that misconception. They are flaunting what they have, beautiful clothing and an amazing car. They appear to be enjoying themselves and the money they earn. From this flamboyancy, they exude pride in there skin color and what they do. They are proud to be African Americans and are not afraid to display it. With the car they have I'm sure they receive quite a bit of attention.