The Competing Views of Washington, Du Bois, Locke, and Garvey Regarding 'Racial Progress'

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The Competing Views of Washington, Du Bois, Locke, and Garvey Regarding 'Racial Progress'
World war 1 created African American transformation from old to new. A large group of African American migrated from the rural South to the industrial urban North in pursuit of a new vision regarding economic and social opportunity (Alain 1925). Notably, during the war, the black troop fought for democracy and world safety and returned home determined to fully participate in American society. The civil rights movement philosophy shifted from Booker T Washington accommodationist approach to W.E.B Du Bois militant advocacy approach. These forces converged to create the 1920's New Negro Movement which enhanced self-expression based on culture, progressive politics, racial pride and economic independence new sense.
The New Negro Renaissance by Harlem Renaissance was a movement focusing on social uplifting in the 1920s onwards (Alain 1925). The movement was objective in the provision of African American positive representation through literature and artwork. The movement was meant to voice African Americans perception on equality and also rework popular imagery that depicted African Americans as a weaker race relative to the colored. Therefore the concept created a new identity within the blacks, greater equality and promoted social uplift.
In March 1925 a magazine identified as the Survey Graphic produced Harlem issue of “mecca of the New Negro” (Alain 1925). The magazine was devoted to the artist and literacy movement of the African American now identified as Harlem Renaissance and Harlem was identified as a black mecca. Much of the material featuring on Alain Locke 1925 anthology is an edit of the aforementioned issue. Enter the New Negro by Alaine Locke dives on how African American sought political, social and artistic change. The author associated the new Negro with demanding and championing civil rights. Additionally, his anthology sought to replace the old stereotypes with a new vision of black identity that was against simplification. In essence the poems and essays in the anthology mirror real-life encounters and events. The anthology also voiced the perceptions of African American middle-class citizens who demanded equality in civil rights with white middle-class counterparts.
The reworking of African American imagery and participation in the arts projected to introduce greater equality degree and new acceptance. This was achieved through avoidance of stereotypes and representing a more proud, affluent and positive perception of people of color. Douglas strongly advocated for women rights inclusive of the right to motherhood, economic rights and the right to vote. Douglas never forgets the plight of women. In this context, Aaron Douglas view of women as dedicated and strong was formulated by her mother who raised him on her own. The artist mother identified as Elizabeth provided the role model of artistic expression and determination that Douglas adopted throughout his lifetime Amy (2008 98). The artist also was relating well with an educated woman identified as Alta Sawyer Douglas his wife as was extremely supportive, had a strong and equal relationsh...