History Of Harlem Renaissance On African American Sports

Artists and intellectuals shared the spotlight with professional athletes during the 1920s and 1940s African American cultural renaissance. All sports were segregated in the mid-1940s. Sports have always meant much more than simply entertainment or escapism. During this time, sports embodied the vibrancy of African American culture. The Harlem Renaissance wasn't just a literary movement, but a sports movement as well. It was an opportunity for discriminated African Americans to shine and demonstrate their talent in the sporting world. The time has now come for the African American race. African Americans have overcome countless challenges throughout history. It's a testament to their strength and resilience. Read the article “Considering History: The …show more content…

For example, “.the night before the game they slept in tiny rooms in Ma Piersall’s South Side boarding house, while the Lakers stayed at the luxury Morrison Hotel.” (Railton). These athletes competed at the same level but were unable to find a suitable location to stay due to their skin color. They went through a lot, both mentally and physically, including the feeling of being invisible and forgotten. In the documentary, “Harlem Globetrotters: America’s Court Jesters” by Greg Weinstein, the son of the owner of Globetrotters. He speaks of another experience they went through, “They also dealt with communities where they played, they had strict separation rules between whites and blacks, in a Nebraska town- no colored hotel and players had to sleep in a county jail” (Weinstein). They must have been uncomfortable and slept poorly before their game. They were ignored and forgotten, they didn't let this affect them. They continued to play their hardest. The Harlem Globetrotters ended up making history. They stay strong and resilient. The Harlem Globetrotters made a huge impact on sports for African Americans. I mentioned this team earlier; they were an all-black