COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN THE HARLEM RENAISSENCE AND

NÉGRITUDE

EVERTON ROCHA VECCHI

How would you compare Aimé Cesaire with Claude Mackay, Langston Hughes and
Zora Neale Hurston?

Aimé Cesaire, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale Hurston were
all important figures in the Harlem Renaissance. Despite their differences, all four
writers were important contributors to the Harlem Renaissance since their work helped
to shape the movement's focus on African identity and pride, and also due to the fact
that their writing continues to be read and celebrated today.

As far as I see, the text Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire is a reminder

of the destructive legacy of colonialism and the need for global solidarity in the fight
against racism and oppression. In it, Césaire argues that colonialism is a system of
oppression that dehumanizes both the colonized and the colonizer. He describes how
colonialism destroys the cultures and economies of colonized people, and how it
enshrines racism and inequality. In order words, the Whiteman’s burden actually means
cheating the colonized. On the one hand, McKay's poem "If We Must Die" was a
powerful call to arms for black people to fight against oppression.

To my mind, Cesaire was more interested in exploring the political and social
challenges faced by black people, while Hughes was more interested in celebrating the
African American experience. In addition to that, McKay was more interested in
exploring the anger and frustration of black people in the United States, while Hurston
was more interested in exploring the lives of ordinary African Americans.

The work of Aime Cesaire, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Zora Neale
Hurston helped to make the Harlem Renaissance a truly groundbreaking movement.
Their writing challenged stereotypes, explored the African experience, and inspired a
new generation of black artists and activists.