LIFESTYLE IN HARLEM
OVERVIEW
The 1920’s was an era of prosperity for African Americans in Harlem. This time period is referred to as the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was, “a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that kindled a new black cultural identity.” [1] While the renaissance was taking place, Harlem was experiencing massive growth and change. Many immigrants were migrating to this neighborhood and it caused many people to change their style of living. The establishment of social institutions, such as churches, fraternal orders and organizations, helped the Black community become a united force that aimed to create social justice and racial equality.
OVERVIEW
The 1920’s was an era of prosperity for African Americans in Harlem. This time period is referred to as the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was, “a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that kindled a new black cultural identity.” [1] While the renaissance was taking place, Harlem was experiencing massive growth and change. Many immigrants were migrating to this neighborhood and it caused many people to change their style of living. The establishment of social institutions, such as churches, fraternal orders and organizations, helped the Black community become a united force that aimed to create social justice and racial equality.
WAVES OF IMMIGRATION
Harlem was experiencing waves of immigration throughout the 1920’s. People from the West Indies and the South (Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia) were migrating in large numbers and settling in what quickly became densely populated neighborhoods that provided poor housing.[2] By the 1930’s there were over 200,000 Black migrants that inhabited Harlem.[3] The large influx in population made it hard for people to attain and maintain jobs in order to sustain a living.[4] Segregation prohibited Blacks from working in unionized and skilled jobs and as a result, most worked in low paid jobs that lacked consistency.[5] In order to make ends meet, it was common for families to rent a room or rooms in their homes to lodgers.[6] Lodgers were typically immigrants primarily from the West Indies but also from the South and would help pay rent in return for hospitality.[7] According to the “Harlem Life” journal, “an Urban League investigation in 1927 found that one in four Harlem households included a lodger.”[8] It was also not uncommon for different members of the family to play different roles in the home.[9] Incidents, such as injuries from work that led to disability or arrests that landed people (African American men) in jail, that prevented the ‘breadwinner” from bringing home a stable income often led to wives and children having to get jobs to prevent destitution.[10] Young couples who did not have children to help cover rent and utilities, and even some Black families, resorted to churches, voluntary groups, or fraternal orders, like the Prince Hall Masons and the Elks, who provided some housing and lodges for residents.[11] Those who were not members of the community relied on pawnshops as a different source to get quick money.[12] Racism and segregation were very prevalent during this time period. There were only a small number of banks located in Harlem and the ones that were established there rarely ever made loans to Black people.[13] As a result, Harlem residents created a foundation (churches, organizations, fraternal orders, etc) that established a strong bond within the community and its members to help one another sustain their living.
COMMUNITY INSTITUTION AND ORGANIZATIONS
Churches were the heart of Harlem that brought and maintained the community together. They were institutions that extended beyond places of worship.[14] This helped immigrants, who were new to the community, build ties and relationships. They provided athletic clubs, social clubs, choir and music groups, and classes in all of the arts for its members.[15] Churches were located all throughout Harlem.[16] Some of the churches that were established were: Baptist, African Methodist, Episcopal, Protestant Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, African Orthodox, Apostolic, and more.[17] In addition to the social and recreational programs that churches offered, they also provided help to the needy, education for adults, and day care for parents who had to work [6]. Like churches, there were other organizations and volunteer groups that were simultaneously providing resources for the community. Some of these organizations were branches of the Y.M.C.A., The Elks, the Victoria Society, and Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A).[18] The Elks were Harlem’s, “largest fraternal order who...emphasized educational programs and community service, and offered insurance benefits, help finding jobs and housing, and entertainment, such as organized boat rides and parties.”[19] This fraternal order helped men establish a network of communal relationship, as well as, authority and status within the neighborhood.[20] Also, it was common for men to be a member of more than one fraternal order.[21] The Victoria Society was a West Indian social club that held dances and lunch parties twice a month.[22] The social club was a fairly large club, given that twenty percent of the residents in Harlem were from the West Indies.[23] The U.N.I.A. was founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914. This group contained several thousand Black members who were committed to uplifting Black culture and life and creating racial unity.[24] The Y.M.C.A offered recreational sports and activities for people. Athletic clubs were very prominent during this time period and they led to the creation of professional sports teams in Harlem, particularly basketball.[25] Youth teams were also organized in the public schools and games would take place between schools.[26] All of these organizations helped sustain unity within the community and are often overlooked because of the prominence of Harlem’s Renaissance era.
"First colored world series opening game in 1924,"
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Because money was scarce, many Black families in Harlem could not afford the cost of treatment and trips to the hospital.[27] This led to many home remedies for illnesses and injuries.[28] The Harlem Hospital was primarily occupied by Whites in the early 1920’s.[29] There were small private hospitals that were operated by Blacks, but many members could not afford to pay.[30] By the mid to late 1920’s, the main hospital had more Black staff, but the majority of the patients were still White.[31] The lack of access to proper health care caused many Blacks to suffer from illnesses, diseases, malnutrition, and as a result, higher death rates.[32] This situation created a burden on families, especially when the male of the household was sick or injured from work.3
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Because money was scarce, many Black families in Harlem could not afford the cost of treatment and trips to the hospital.[27] This led to many home remedies for illnesses and injuries.[28] The Harlem Hospital was primarily occupied by Whites in the early 1920’s.[29] There were small private hospitals that were operated by Blacks, but many members could not afford to pay.[30] By the mid to late 1920’s, the main hospital had more Black staff, but the majority of the patients were still White.[31] The lack of access to proper health care caused many Blacks to suffer from illnesses, diseases, malnutrition, and as a result, higher death rates.[32] This situation created a burden on families, especially when the male of the household was sick or injured from work.3
Notes
1. History.comstaff, “Harlem Renaissance,” 2009. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harlem-renaissance
2. Stephen, Robertson (Stephen Murray), Shane White, Stephen Garton, and Graham J White. 2010. This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s. Journal of Social History. 44, no. 1: 97-122.
3. Ibid., 2.
4. Ibid., 3.
5. Frank, Byrd. [Harlem Rent Parties]. New York City, New York, 1939. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001365
6. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 98.
7. Ibid., 6.
8. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 102.
9. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 105.
10. Ibid., 9.
11. Ibid., 10.
12. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 109.
13. Ibid., 12.
14. Ibid., 13.
15. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 112.
16. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
17. Ibid., 16.
18. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 109.
19. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
20. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and
1930s., 104.
21. Ibid., 20.
22. Ibid., 21.
23. Ibid., 22.
24. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 99.
25. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 111.
26. Ibid., 25.
27. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
28. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 102.
29. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
30. Ibid., 29.
31. Ibid., 30.
32. Ibid., 31.
1. History.comstaff, “Harlem Renaissance,” 2009. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harlem-renaissance
2. Stephen, Robertson (Stephen Murray), Shane White, Stephen Garton, and Graham J White. 2010. This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s. Journal of Social History. 44, no. 1: 97-122.
3. Ibid., 2.
4. Ibid., 3.
5. Frank, Byrd. [Harlem Rent Parties]. New York City, New York, 1939. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001365
6. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 98.
7. Ibid., 6.
8. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 102.
9. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 105.
10. Ibid., 9.
11. Ibid., 10.
12. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 109.
13. Ibid., 12.
14. Ibid., 13.
15. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 112.
16. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
17. Ibid., 16.
18. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 109.
19. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
20. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and
1930s., 104.
21. Ibid., 20.
22. Ibid., 21.
23. Ibid., 22.
24. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 99.
25. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 111.
26. Ibid., 25.
27. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
28. Robertson, This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s., 102.
29. Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
30. Ibid., 29.
31. Ibid., 30.
32. Ibid., 31.
Bibliography
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Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001365/.
[First colored world series, opening game Oct. 11, 1924, Kansas City, Mo. / photo by J.E. Miller,
K.C]. 1924. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2002719389/. (Accessed November 07, 2016.)
[Flag, announcing lynching, flown from the window of the NAACP headquarters on 69 Fifth
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Robertson, Stephen (Stephen Murray), Shane White, Stephen Garton, and Graham J White.
2010. This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s. Journal of Social History. 44, no. 1: 97-122.
Byrd, Frank. [Harlem Rent Parties]. New York City, New York, 1939. Manuscript/Mixed
Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001365/.
[First colored world series, opening game Oct. 11, 1924, Kansas City, Mo. / photo by J.E. Miller,
K.C]. 1924. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2002719389/. (Accessed November 07, 2016.)
[Flag, announcing lynching, flown from the window of the NAACP headquarters on 69 Fifth
Ave., New York City]. [1936] Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/95517117/. (Accessed November 07, 2016.)
History.comstaff, “Harlem Renaissance,” 2009. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harlem-renaissance
Internet: Digital Harlem Blog –“Harlem in the 1920s”(Accessed November 7, 2016).
Robertson, Stephen (Stephen Murray), Shane White, Stephen Garton, and Graham J White.
2010. This Harlem Life: Black Families and Everyday Life in the 1920s and 1930s. Journal of Social History. 44, no. 1: 97-122.