MODERN
May 1st, 1924 ¢10
Harlem Renaissance:
Due to the increase in African American Art, Harlem Renaissance recently been treating Questioning backer Langston him. De-segregation the dinner Hughs shows the is still a new topic. that the racism Men and women who g u e s t world of the US is very fought in the Civil Reviewing the newest poem by popular Harlem Renaissance author, Langston Hughs.
Dinner Guest: Me Author Langston Hughs
Consuelo Kanga I Photo Michelle Demo I Critique
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind Which seeks demurely To Probe in polite way The why and wherewithal Of darkness U.S.A.-Wondering how things got this way In current democratic night, Murmuring gently Over fraises du bois, "I'm so ashamed of being white." The lobster is delicious, The wine divine, And center of attention At the damask table, mine. To be a Problem on Park Avenue at eight Is not so bad. Solutions to the Problem, Of course, wait.
much still present even in the 19th century. “I know I am - The Negro Problem” the wording Hughs uses here is to explain the problem he as an African American faces with the white supremacist American nation. Hughs knows that he is the disliked minority- what with the race riots STILL happening how couldn’t he figure out he wasn’t a public favorite? But Hughs also uses the wording of “Negro Problem” to show that he is above using the extremely derogatory ‘N’ word. “That come to white mind - Which seeks demurely - To Probe in polite way” Here, Hughs describes the way that most white Americans have
War against slavery are still alive today. Being in contact with a black man is foreign to them. “Murmuring gently - Over fraises du bois, - “I’m so ashamed of being white” Hughs covers the fact that many white men and women are treating the supremacy of white people over men in gentle tones (for the most part) and they know that their race’s previous crimes will forever haunt them. Over all, Hughs gives a wonderful exhibition on just how awful the black men and women are treated through the Harlem Renaissance. With chance to still progress, Hughs will surely express more input about how he feels through out this ongoing renaissance.
a look through the arts Artist Spotlights: the Harlem Renaissance taken the new era of the Flying 20s and are using it to their best efforts to make in full swing is the new a debut of many paintings. movement known as Artists such as; Archibald J. Motley, Palmer Hayden, the Harlem Renaissance. and Augusta Savage. African Americans have Among these artists is Palmer Hayden. Taking inspiration from the area around him and painting different scapes of life. Palmer’s unique style of painting, that isn’t exactly cubisms,is a wonderful addition to the art community. Another artist to look out
for is Archibad J. Motley. Motley is one of the rare artists of the Harlem Renaissance, in the fact that he never really lived in Harlem. Rather living in Chicago, Motley’s art closely resembles that of Hayden. Motley takes inspiration from life around him in the bustling area of Chicago. Due to his social class, Motley was able to take advanced art training classes in his youth. Don’t be surprised to see more of him in the future.
(Above) Palmer Hayden, Jeunesse, watercolor on paper. (Left) Palmer Hayden, Nous Quatre a Paris, watercolor on paper.
among the best Harlem Renaissance writers of the Authors time. While the writers are seen of phenomenal in their own Fire!! A Quarterly Devoted To The Younger right, Fire!! is indeed the worst representation of Negro Artists, are their abilities. The story of Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston is a poor representation of her abilities. While the story of a wife finding out her husband’s mistress and then later his plots to take her life was a well thought out plot, it was executed in a poor manner. Where was the ending?
The conclusion? Will we ever find out just what happened to the wife, whom sat below a tree listening to her husband’s failed attempt at her life take his own? The idea of Fire!! was again, a nice idea. Collecting works of many Harlem Renaissance writers into one book. But the sales fell through and now Fire!! is already collecting debt from it’s failed launch. The critic, Rean Graves, hailing from Baltimore Afro-American shares my
sympathies with the book in that we both agree that Fire!! should not be a waste of a person’s time. “Just tossed the first issue of Fire!! into the fire.” Graves said. Yes, the authors of the Harlem Renaissance have put out amazing work so far, and Modern does look forward for more works, but Fire!! is not a good representation of what African Americans have to offer.
Author Spotlights: Fire!! A Quarterly Devoted To The Younger Negro Artists
Thoroug hly Mo dern Woman With the new wave of women’s right, the fashion that women portray has become increasingly more scandelous. Could these new trends set the women suffrage movement back another hundred years? Michelle Demo I Fashion News
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or the new age woman, the new trends seen by today’s female population have less than to be desired. Most women only want to toll their skirts up, and their stockings down. One culprit of this offense was the fashion designer, Cocco Chanel. Chanel has been attributed as the creator of the ‘modern woman’ design. “My fashions aren’t derogatory to women,” Chanel said. “Rather, they were created in order to show the world that women won’t be oppressed any longer.” When the women step out, they typically have long dresses hitting just at the knee. Adorning these outfits, the women have been seen with luxurious accessories tagging along. Most common of the accessories are the long strands of pearls that women have been seen wearing lately. The hats that women typically wear are fitting to their heads, and generally small. Unless you’re one of the more “loose” girls who wear feathers as tall as my arm. Lastly, the modern women of the 20s are seen
wearing mainly two types of shoes. The lovely T-Strap heel, or the Mary Jane. The fashions of women aren’t the only drastic changes to the clothing industries. Men have been seen wearing more ‘classy’ ensembles of suits, ties and all. The men of the 20s have decided that the typical trousers wouldn’t cut the lifestyle that has been given through this new era. Donning the typical Panama and or Fedora hat, the men of the 20s have been seen wearing these dapper styles when they go out for a night on the town. (Page 1) Woman checks her hosery and shoes while holding up a long string of pearls. H. Armstrong Roberts I Photo (Top of 2nd Page) Two hats side by side, first is the Panama/Boater Hat, and the other the Fedora. (Bottom 2nd Page) a pair of T-Strap heels for women to wear.
Whether it be to a speakeasy or a theatre, the men will always be wearing a stylish outfit. This includes the full suit and tie. The modern styles of the men and women seen in the 20s are not only risqué, but also advancements seen in the fashion industry. With designs like Cocco Chanel’s, the men and women’s fashions are sure to make these fashion styles forever known as a modern, and roaring twenties look. So, overall, I rate the style as a 4.5/5. The .5 being taken off for the feathers I see women wearing lately. Those HAVE to be a terror to get through doors with!
The Jazz Age Tuning in: records to buy Creole Love Call - Duke Ellington, James “Bubber� Miley and Rudy Jackson
Everybody Loves My Baby - various composers Muskrat Ramble - Kid Ory Sweet Georgia Brown - Ben Bernie Oh Lady Be Good - George Gershwin King Porter Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton How Come You Do Me Like You Do? Gene Austin, & Roy Bergere
Charleston - James P. Johnson, & Cecil Mack Tin Roof Blues - George Brunies, Paul Mares, Ben Pollack, Leon Roppolo and Mel Stitzel
Move over Bach. Step aside Beethoven, here comes Roland Hayes: Blues singer extrordianaire. Studying under the tutelage of Sir George Henschel in Europe in 1920, Hayes was taught under the first conductor of the Boston Symphony orchestra. While in Europe, Hayes was summoned by King George V to give a performance at Buckingham Palace. Returning to America, Hayes was met with the Harlem Renaissance. The Renaissance meant large changes for the music types of the American people. The Harlem Renaissance, in terms of music, allowed
white men and women to listen to African American music types. Mainly including Jazz. The Jazz music of the 20s has blues, and soul. Another artist known for his work is Duke Ellington, his work at piano has brought in many patrons to pay homage to his work. Ellington will surely be making his way through the charts soon. This new Jazz Age is showing whites that blacks can play music just as well as they can, and at the same time it is facing backlash from the white community. Not to be disturbed, the Jazz singers take the comments thrown at them, and continue to produce fantastic music.
Inspecting Sherlock Jr.
Rule number 1. Search Everybody. 2. Look for Clues. 3. Examine all windows. 4. Search for finger prints. 5. Shadow your man closely. 6. Send for the police. 7. Keep cool. Actor and director Buster Keaton employs this list on ‘how to be a detective’ in his hit movie, Sherlock Jr. Buster actually only employs rules #1 and #5 in the movie. The movie opens with the ext: “There is an old proverb which says: Don’t try to do two things at once and expect to do justice to both.” Right off the bat we learn that the protagonist is a male moving picture projectionist whom is leaning to be a detective. We figure out right off the bat that due to he
male’s attempts at being a detective, he shirks his duties. Later on, the male, Buster Keaton, tries so very awkwardly to ‘woo’ the woman he sits next to. This includes the ageold attempt to grasp a woman’s hand and failing technique employed by so many males. Keaton, so helplessly in love with this girl goes out to buy a ring, and a box of chocolates for her. Not to be out done, The Sheik, who is also in love with the girl, steals the girl’s father’s pocket watch, and pawns it. Then, the Sheik places the pawn ticket into Keaton’s character’s pocket. The father finds the slip in Keaton’s pocket, and bans him from his home. Returning to the theatre, Keaton falls asleep duing a
movie, through his dream, Keaton solves the mystery of a stolen pearl necklace, as the detective he so wishes to be. In the real world, the girl finds out who really stole the pocket watch, and returns to the theatre to tell Keaton. Sherlock Jr. is a visual arts masterpiece, the effect of Keaton’s character ghosting our of his body is
unlike anything ever done. The orchestra’s soundtrack being included as the theatre’s soundtrack was a wonderful way to loop the two halves together. Being that movies have been seen in theatres well around 20 years now, this visually and minimalistically appealing mystery/romance is sure to become a well loved classic for ages to come.