Showbiz

Photograph by James VanDerZee

The photograph above was taken by renowned photographer James VanDerZee. In the image you see five young African American girls wearing short frilly dress, and some adorning top hats. All five girls are positioned in dance poses. The three girls in the back appear to be dancing in a much more relaxed fashion while the two girls in the front, wearing top hats, are in classic 20s ballet/showbiz poses. It's a beautiful depiction of the flourishing entertainment that occurred in Harlem during the renaissance. The artistry of entertainment runs through the veins of those who grew up in Harlem. Many young African Americans took advantage of the time and their talent and performed for wealthy white crowds in well know clubs.

I chose the photograph because I found it extremely insightful. The fact that there are these five young girls already performing for the camera in an organized fashion says a lot about the Harlem Renaissance youth. Most pictures of performers from the time are of adults in  clubs all dressed up etc. This is very different, there at home in their regular clothes merely having fun and enjoying what they do in the most innocent way possible. There not relying on money or any other tags. The image is a great representation of the HR theme: Negro heritage and history. Its enhances the idea that Harlem Renaissance was a time of full entertainment in all shapes and forms for blacks.